Tiffin Girls' School or Guildford High School?

[piepollocks]

Both DD1 and DD2 are currently at private school, having started their education in the state sector. We thus have personal experience of both types of education - their pros and cons - and as far as this discussion goes, we are assessing the schools independently of the sectors they operate within.

Since committing to fees for 2 children, our lifestyle has been on budget - a noticeably (rather than uncomfortably) tight budget.

In the Tiffins vs GHS debate, we have trawled over the usual arguments ad nauseum (so there probably isn't much value in going over them again here) - including the pros and cons of:

1. Facilities + extramural activities vs will DD use them sufficiently to warrant the fees?
2. Financial freedom/security vs the ongoing financial commitment (and the stress this could cause in uncertain times).

However, in our case, the circumstances are complicated somewhat by these factors:

1. Despite DD1 being highly academic, she did not getting into Tiffins so is at GHS (and loves it).
2. Whilst both DDs enjoy sports, neither participate in many sports nor any sports at a very high level, questioning the value we get for our fees (if the academic standard at both GHS and Tiffins are on a par - which I believe they are)
3. DD2 is highly academic, putting her in the sweet spot for both GHS and Tiffins:

3.1. won an academic scholarship to LEH 3.2. came top in the GHS entrance exam, winning a scholarship (significantly more financially motivating than the LEH scholarship) 3.3. scored 21% above the cut off mark at Tiffins (without a significant level of effort)

1. DD2 is dead set on going to Guildford High School and believes because she won such a great scholarship, she will go there.
2. Since DD1 went to GHS, our job security looks increasingly less secure. If there are any blips in the financial tarmac ahead of us, our ability to see both DD1 + DD2 all the way through may be compromised. However, it is equally likely that the road ahead will be smooth and we will both keep our jobs through the recession.

We would love to reward DD2's great success in all her entrance exams by handing the choice of school over to her. However, as her parents, we know more about what works for the whole family so feel we should be able to retain the power to make this choice. And with the uncertainty in the employment market at the moment, we also feel that the possibility of future financial stress needs to be taken into consideration.

Many disagree with us and say that if DD2 does not get to choose (which means GHS), she will be unhappy and feel that we value DD1 above her.

To complicate things even further, we are ambivalent too - we love GHS as much as DD1 + DD2 love it and we don't know Tiffin at all! However, we feel pressurised to choose GHS because DD2 and others feel it would be unfair on DD2 for us to choose Tiffin.

Your thoughts?

Your daughter wanted to go to TGS since she was born

Firstly, I doubt that your daughter has had her heart set on TGS since she was born. Surely, if they do aspire to go to a certain school they are "heavily" influenced by parents and peers.

The competition at TGS is astoundingly high due to no fees and no catchement rule unlike some other super selectives. Hence, their criteria and exams are likely to be tougher to cream off the top performing girls. GHS is also very popular and turn down many girls each year. I know girls at both these schools. Despite offers from both, my friend selected GHS over TGS for her DD. Simple reasons include affordability and gut feel. I have another who chose TGS even with offers from other highly selective independent school based on affordability again. Whilst the Asian contingent at TGS is quite high compared to GHS, GHS do have girls from a range of backgrounds and origins. From what I know there has never been an issue with race or backgrounds. I think these schools get unfair press of these aspects of school life and are quite normal.

Both schools are highly selective and achieve fantastic grades and are (I think) top 10 schools in the UK according to league tables albeit one is not fee-paying. DD's who go to these schools and enjoy it are likely to thrive. I don't think you can say that one school is "better" than the other. It all depends on the girls and parent preferences, affordability, friend choices etc. Not sure going to TGS is a "novelty" !!

TGS placed first in the Telegraph 2014 state school GCSE list

Popins...on that note, do you have a copy or can you share the GCSE league table with me as I do not have access to the times website. I have seen the telegraph league tables for A levels.

I meant the independent school league tables for GCSE.

If you look on TGS website there are links to the fawning article in the Times. I think you can get a free trial of the newspaper website if you are desperate to see the league tables.

My DD has just left TGS and while she succeeded academically she found Sixth Form in particular a horribly pressurised place .

The school are changing their admissions policy to give some advantage to very local disadvantaged girls and also upping the intake again. I think eventually this will lead to it sliding down the tables but hopefully it will be a nicer place.

I must take issue with a comment up thread about anyone who can afford private tutoring can afford private school which is absolute tosh in my opinion.

Thanks HPparent. Not desparate to see the tables...just intrigued. TGS is also 5th in A level league tables. Must agree with you on the private tutoring versus private school fees. I don't think it even compares ! Must admit I am really keen on ensuring my DD enjoys her school days. I am not so keen on a pressured hothouse environment...my take is if they are bright they will do well wherever they go with support from parents or tuition if required !

The official league tables are published in January. I think the Times used the amount of A/A at GCSE which put TGS first but the Telegraph A/A/B so TGS was a bit lower. There is not much difference in the results between the top selective schools.

I think TGS is making efforts to change and will have to cope with a larger intake plus a new academy being built next door. Hopefully the changes to admissions procedures will make it more diverse in terms of income. Very few FSM girls at present.

Toomany:i have not placed the link because all the tables are on the TGS website.The Telegraph include private so that is why Tiffin is slightly lower whilst the Times is state only.

Lots of schools won't realise their GCSE/A level stats at this point as they are waiting for remarks. They are also opposed to the tables as they are a very crude way of measuring a school. Two unhappy girls who underperform in their GCSEs & don't get their predicted grades will change a school's results & position.