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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Grey Coat Hospital?

44 replies

beafrog · 21/02/2013 17:43

Anyone have any info on this school? I know it's very hard to get a place, but that's about it! Would be grateful for any thoughts

OP posts:

Original poster

beafrog · 22/02/2013 17:36

anyone? any thoughts?

OP posts:

Sarajevo1995 · 24/02/2013 19:04

It has very strong leadership and the girls who go there do well given their very varied backgrounds and economic circumstances. What are your choices?

Original poster

beafrog · 24/02/2013 23:12

I'm not entirely sure yet, but was just interested to find out a bit more than you can from an open day about what the school is like. It all looks great, the results are good, OFSTED report is excellent - but I'd love to know more from anyone who actually knows the school or knows girls who go there.

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JackyNotts · 25/02/2013 23:06

My DD attends GCH and absolutely loves it, is thriving there and has made great new friends. I'm really impressed with the school and how well she has settled in, as this is her first year. Every day DD can't wait to tell me all about her day at school. The staff have high expectations from their pupils in all areas and DD relishes this, works really hard, is diligent, conscientious and has lots of fun too. DD also loves fully participating in wide and varied extracurricular, particularly the numerous singing, music and drama provisions. Long may her enthusiasm last as it has given me great peace of mind.

ComeIntoTheGardenMaud · 25/02/2013 23:18

You need to be aware that the number of places awarded outside the church attendance criterion is tiny.

Original poster

beafrog · 25/02/2013 23:19

Thank you - that's just what I needed to know!

OP posts:

ComeIntoTheGardenMaud · 25/02/2013 23:23

I guess the statistics for this year's admissions will be available fairly soon, but when last I heard, the last place awarded on the basis of distance that year had been at something like 300 metres.

Original poster

beafrog · 26/02/2013 11:41

Thanks - I did know how hard it is to get in but was interested to know whether it lived up to the hype if you're lucky enough to get a place!

OP posts:

PushedParent · 16/06/2013 22:53

Grey Coat also has language places. Girls sit a test that measures innate aptitude. No church or distance qualification needed.

marriedinwhiteagain · 17/06/2013 22:03

We liked it and were offered a place. In the end we went for the other well regarded cofe comp which was our first choice but we got in from the waiting list. GCH was our second choice, we live miles further away and got in on the first round but we had 9/10 of the church points. It was a hard decision and one we regretted. We moved dd at the end of Y8 and will never know if she might have had a better experience at GCH.

smellycat1963 · 22/10/2013 14:50

Just read this and was wondering what your reasons were? I am also considering applying for GCHS and other CofE. Undecided which to put first choice.

Everhopeful · 22/10/2013 15:24

Hi Smellycat

DD was adamant she wanted a girls' school, which automatically meant I was looking quite a distance, especially as I preferred a faith school if possible and saw no reason why a CofE school shouldn't do as well as a Catholic school resultswise, which GCH pretty nearly does. I checked that this didn't mean unacceptable travelling times though. We both loved the positive attitude of GCH and the fact that (both good and bad) it felt like a private school. Since she started in September, she's had a few adjustment problems, but we are generally extremely happy there - and she's even learning to love MFL (my bag more than hers till now!). Very pleased and glad we put it first

smellycat1963 · 28/10/2013 10:25

Thank you Everhopeful, really good to hear that your DD has settled in and is enjoying GC. I had been wondering what the reasons were for marriedinwhiteagain to feel she had to move her DD from 'the other well regarded cofe' comp as I expect that is the other school I am also considering applying to. On a different school, does anyone know how much interest Sacred Heart in Hammersmith places on music? Any help is appreciated must decide on schools soon.

overthemill · 28/10/2013 10:30

DD's best friend goes here. She loves it - think she may have got a place based on ability in languages or maths. she is thriving but is extremely bright imo, it is academically quite tough

smellycat1963 · 28/10/2013 10:56

Hi overthemill. Is that Grey Coat's or Sacred Heart?

overthemill · 28/10/2013 21:22

checked her FB page - grey coats!

Londonwillow · 05/12/2013 10:38

My eldest is already there and loving it. She is thriving and I'm so glad I stuck with it. My second dd is about to take her assessment today and she is really excited about going. The staff are a good strong team. They deal with issues very quickly and efficiently. They are very strict with their rules and it's a fantastic mix.
I would have no hesitation in recommending it if you are academically minded and ready to support your childrens progress.

NeverEnoughTinsel · 17/12/2013 14:05

I have created a new username for this post, so people can't identify me as a slushy Pollyanna

Like Londonwillow, my DD is at Greycoat and loves it! She runs out the door each morning (early). We've been impressed with the school in every way. It's a very positive place.

When evaluating secondaries, friends suggested we go at the end of the day (not just on Open Days), to observe the typical atmosphere. At GCH, the girls all seemed happy, smiley, not at all cliquey. I'm happy to say that's been our DD's experience too. The other girls seem kind, friendly and open to new friendships. DD's fairly shy and was the only girl from her school to get in, so we worried she would struggle, but the school's induction day and general atmosphere of inclusion and kindness have helped tremendously. DD is really blossoming: trying very hard, progressing academically and feeling secure and happy socially.

The head seems very positive and friendly (observed at induction day and other events), but I suspect she runs an extremely tight ship – a great combination imho. The staff all seem happy, relaxed and genuinely interested in their students. It really is a wonderful place.

For the record, I do not work there or know anyone who does!

I sincerely hope your DD gets a place!
(wish everyone could who wants to go!)

LilyFlower2222 · 30/12/2013 23:00

Hi Londonwillow, how did your daughter get on at the assessment day? I'm looking at Greys for my daughter and she's really keen to go there. Am just nervous as we can't apply through the church route and seems like its tough getting in through the open places.

Jazzhonda · 10/08/2017 01:00

Any recent experiences of /thoughts on GCH?
Curious as to whether they have dining facilities.
And what sort of emphasis is placed on music, drama, arts? Is it the same as Marylebone High School, the other school it seems to be compared to.

cingolimama · 12/08/2017 09:05

GCH is a terrific school, but has a different emphasis than St. Marylebone (where DD goes). If you want music, drama and arts, then St. M is for you. Why are you curious about dining facilities? St. M doesn't have them - they eat lunch in their form room, or outside if it's nice weather.

OhTheRoses · 12/08/2017 21:28

I wonder if the mini Cameron is still there now papa is no longer running the country?

I know that GreyCoat's ex Deputy Head is now at the other cofe Girls school in SW London. Valliantly trying to put things right.

GreyCoat stayed loyal to its church roots. The other one has a lot of ground to recover having lost them.

Lovely parallel though with a senior Grey taking over there and turning it round.

Jazzhonda · 12/08/2017 23:05

I have visited St M and was rather surprised that they didn't have a dining room or canteen.
Dining facilities preferred because 1. Burden of preparing a packed lunch will fall on me 2. And more importantly, there's much to be said for the girls enjoying a cooked meal together.
DD, like others in her class, currently brings in a daily snack for first break. That has at times created all manner of problems that wouldn't exist if, for example, the school provided that snack. I suppose I could anticipate similar issues arising if she was fortunate in being offered a place at St M next year.
What is the emphasis on at GCH? Is music etc significantly different to that offered at St M?

OhTheRoses · 12/08/2017 23:15

I was talking about LMS

cingolimama · 13/08/2017 10:33

Jazz I completely understand your preference for dining facilities - I share them. However, there's more important things to consider when looking at secondaries, and, as some wise person once told me "there's no such thing as a perfect school!".

Lunch time, is according to DD, very chatty and civilised - and we've got to the point where DD makes her own lunch about half the time (which I can just about cope with).

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