Need a cuddly, non-selective state school in SE London for dd, preferably all girls

[Shagmundfreud]

... somewhere not rough and horrible. Not bothered about how academically successful it is, more concerned about whether it's a nurturing environment with a good mixed intake. She'll be going into year 9 in September. (or she will be if we can find her a school!)

We are home schooling at present after having taken her out of her scary academy where she was fighting with other pupils and with her teachers. Home schooling isn't really working because she hates me and won't co-operate.

Would be incredibly grateful for any recommendations.

Sydenham Girls?

Prendergast in Brockley? If RC St Ursula's? Got a feeling Blackheath High (though private) may consider bursaries now ....

Farringtons, Chislehurst?

Coloma or Bromley girls?

Bullers Wood is a good school. I second Coloma - all the girls I know who went there are lovely.
I really wouldn't think Farringtons is what you are looking for. It is a private prep style place with boarders.

Will third Coloma, if it's the Catholic one I'm thinking if though, you'd be lucky to get a place tbh, but always worth a try. Very oversubscribed, very Catholic and very good school.

Can highly recommend sydenham girls - where in SE London where you thinking?

Just as aside Farringtons takes day pupils up to 18 and is non-selective and sounds cuddly - it is fee paying though.

Second Bullers Wood...

My friend's daughter is at Prendergast and loves it, as does my friend.

Bullers Wood is a very nice school according to a friend of mine with 2 DDs there but I didn't think it has a very large catchment area.

Yes, second Prendergast too! quite similar to Bullers Wood (language specialist school) but also offers music places. Two great schools!

In case you don't know, OP, Bullers Wood is in Chislehurst, Bromley and Prendergast is located in Hilly Fields, Brockley

yes catchment areas will be an issue as both the above schools are very sought-after....

Harris Bromley formerly Cator js doing brilliantly by four girls I know. One v dyslexic not dx till she got there has been discovered to have a wonderful voice. Have a look.

Have a look at Harris Bromley formerly Cator as it is doing well by four girls u know.

If thinking of mixed, bishop justus seems to be pastoral good.

Bullers Wood is great but difficult to get into as catchment is tiny.

Not sure how far SE you are - friends DDs are starting Yr 7 in Blackfen Girls this Sept, it has apparently improved a lot esp in a pastoral sense, likewise the Catholic girls school in Bexleyheath (St Catherines?)

There are some v 'nice' private schools around Bromley area if thats an option - Farringtons was mentioned above, also Holy Trinity.

Holy Trinity in Bromley closed many years ago, hatesponge! Ran out of cash, I think. Nasty shock for the families affected.

Guess thats not the one Im thinking of then :) An ex-colleagues daughter goes to a private girls sch in Bromley, will have to try and work out which one it actually is if not Holy Trinity!

I'd also say Farringtons. It is a Methodist school. Very caring and inclusive.

Does take boarders and has recently gone co-ed though.

Langley girls school - 1.3 mile catchment (ish)

Bullers wood is about the same catchment wise.

They're both state schools.

Farringdons does have a test I believe. Also fee paying.

Ditto Bromley high ( more selective).

I don't want to say definitely don't go there because it may have changed since but I would be careful about Cator (now Harris Bromley). Pretty much everyone from my primary school went there and I only know a couple of people who enjoyed it. Most either moved away before GCSEs (due to cliqueiness, bullying and/or poor lesson/work structure/support) or didn't achieve a decent number of decent grade GCSEs anyway.

As I said, I think it depends on the child, some people may find it works but I wouldn't outright recommend it the way 'oldgreyknickertest' does...I would look into it a little more before considering it.

Gosh, forgot all about this thread! So nice to come back and see all your suggestions.

Independent is out of the question financially.

Tbh I think the only 2 she's got a cat in hells chance of getting a place at are Harris Bromley or Sydenham Girls. We're massively out of the catchment areas for the others and not religious so wouldn't get a look in at an oversubscribed church school.

The only thing that worried me is the fact that I've taken her out of a Harris Academy after her behaviour massively deteriorated in year 8. (23 detentions in 24 weeks.....)

In my experience, 'good' schools in urban environments tend to be very strict, which your daughter seems to have reacted against (ignore me if I have jumped to the wrong conclusion about your daughter's behaviour issues). My school (in SE London) is run on much stricter lines than any school I attended as a child in the rural north-east, but it needs to be for any learning to take place. In my experience 'cuddlier' schools tend to be in more middle class areas, as they are the schools which can afford to be cuddly. This isn't to say pastoral care is poor at less cuddly schools, I think my school has excellent pastoral care, but the kids will still get detentions if they can't stand silently in alphabetical order before each lesson!

Shagmund, have you been to visit Sydenham? I know quite a few girls who all seem very happy there. Obviously you will want to check out what support they could offer pastorally...

Hello, i am trying to choose between spending every last penny on St Dunstan's in Catford or sending my daughter to Prendergast Hilly Fields College. I am hoping my second daughter will go to one of the schools in two years time. I just wonder what the experience of other parents is of these two schools especially parents with dyslexic children. Any help or advice is appreciated.