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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

Croydon HS vs Old Palace Vs Harris Academy

45 replies

Nali · 14/04/2013 14:00

Hello my daughter is starting year 7 in September I am wanting some feedback on which school has very good academics and pastoral care. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks so much

OP posts:

surreyparen · 28/07/2013 19:29

No contest, Old Palace. Average grade for a high ability student at Harris is a B, whereas at Old Palace it is A*/A in academic subjects. As for pastoral care... Old Palace.

Asterisk · 28/07/2013 21:33

Another endorsement for Old Palace. My daughter is very happy there. Pastoral care is excellent. Lots of extracurricular activities. Croydon High I think is also good, but it doesn't have the same sense of history in the fabric of the buildings.

AlienAttack · 29/07/2013 20:00

Beg to differ. Croydon High would be my strong preference. Pastoral care excellent and wide variety of extra-curricular activities. You don't mention if your DD is sporty? Croydon High would especially get my vote for a girl who is sporty. But also if she had strengths in music. Old Palace now benefits to some extent from its links to the Whitgift Foundation but I think Croydon High also benefits from being part of the broader Girls Day School Trust. Probably not much to choose between them...

Seeline · 31/07/2013 09:40

I went to an open afternoon at OP recently and was stunned by the amount of buildings the girls had to access by crossing roads etc during the school day, and that time for this was actually timetabled into the day. It seemed an awful waste of time to me. I was also concerned by the fact that their playing fields were located some distance away in South Croydon, and the girls had to be coached there and back. Again, assuming more than one session a week, this seems an incredible waste. Also, how would this work for extra-curricular use - or is there none?

I got the impression that OP is less academic than CHS, in that entry requirements were probably lower - any comments on this?

I would be interested in views on either.

Asterisk · 31/07/2013 11:03

The travel is not a problem. Yes, the arts block is across the road, but it's a quiet road and there is a full-time, beloved 'lollipop man' who makes sure everyone crosses quickly and safely. The sports fields are a 10 minute drive away, but, again, good timetabling means this is not a big issue. The coach system seems to work very efficiently. The school has an emphasis on dance which they can do on-site, and they do have netball courts close by. And, of course, the swimming pool is on site too. By no stretch of the imagination is it a very sporty school. If your DD aspires to be an athlete she would probably be better off elsewhere. But the dance provision (all sorts of dance) is excellent. It's a really nice school IMHO.

Seeline · 31/07/2013 11:08

Thanks Asterisk that's good to know. I'm planning on going for another look-round in September/October whenever the open day is, so hopefully will pick up a bit more info then.
I can't seem to find how big the school is in terms of numbers - any ideas?
Also, what would you say the strong subjects are academically?
My DD enjoys sport, but is no budding Olympian , but loves dance so that sounds great. What is the music provision like?

SoupDragon · 31/07/2013 11:21

I got the impression that OP is less academic than CHS, in that entry requirements were probably lower - any comments on this?

This has always been my impression although I've not looked at it in any depth at all as DD is only 7. I've not heard anything really bad about it though (apart from how it was in the '80s :o)

I don't think Harris Academy is at all comparable although the grades probably aren't entirely representative of the school as they will still be a hang over from the old Haling Manor days (assuming it's HA Purley)

Ladymuck · 31/07/2013 12:16

The one thing that would make me cautious about both of the schools is their size. OP had 80 girls at GCSE and 50-60 for A level last year, CHS 50 odd girls at GCSE and 30 odd at A level. Whilst small classes can be good, it will be quite a shock to go from that to uni. I also think that at 16-18 a girl can do with more peers - one reason I guess why the Trinity 6th form is becoming popular. It seems a shame that given the relative strengths of the Whitgift foundation boys schools, whilst OP has got very good standards, it may not quite present the breadth of opportunity available to boys in the area. Certainly I think it will be interesting to see what would happen to the 3 schools if Trinity were to go fully co-ed.

I wonder why there is relatively less demand for academic selectives for girls in the area? Fewer grammar spaces too.

SoupDragon · 31/07/2013 12:22

if Trinity were to go fully co-ed

This would be my dream. It is exactly the sort of school I want for DD.

Ladymuck · 31/07/2013 12:27

You have another few years - I know it keeps getting ruled out, but surely it is simply a matter of time?

If not, I can recommend a good co-ed school with a similar ethos!

Asterisk · 31/07/2013 13:24

Seeline, music department is very good. Lots of visiting musicians and opportunities to play. Steel band is particularly impressive. Students can do the arts award to keep dance/music up if they don't want to do it at GCSE. Academically, hard to say as people have different opinions on what's good. History is great, as far as I can see. Maths has been outstanding. Science teachers are changing at the moment so can't comment. Modern languages and Latin seem very good. I agree with LadyMuck in that boys' schools do have more breadth of opportunity and better facilities. I guess you get what you pay for. Old Palace's fees are lower and scholarships tend to be more generous. But then opportunity comes in many guises. I love the diversity of the OP community much broader than most schools in the area. My DD is lucky enough to have made lovely friends from diverse backgrounds and they are so NICE to each other.

SoupDragon · 31/07/2013 13:50

surely it is simply a matter of time?

I'm not convinced. I thin the headmaster is committed to single sex education but obviously it may not be his choice.

Still, she's only 7 and I currently have no idea what kind of child she's going to grow into - no idea how bright she is at the moment either :)

Ladymuck · 31/07/2013 14:11

Yes, I have that with ds2 (ie no idea who he will turn into!). Still have to make some school applications for him though!

[Apologies for total hijack!]

Seeline · 31/07/2013 19:32

No apologies needed Ladymuck and Soupdragon - it's great to see old friends
My DD has just finished Y4 so I feel the pressure mounting already. She has her heart set on an all-girls school so have a fairly limited choice ATM!
LM - I am interested in your 'other' co-ed school - are you prepared to name it, ot just give us a clue. I too was concerned about the smallness of both these schools. Not just socially, but also it must impact the range of opportunities, and also financially how 'safe' they are.
SD - I think the chances of T going co-ed are fairly limited at present. Shame, because I think she would be happy going there

Ladymuck · 31/07/2013 22:59

Mr Bishop was deputy head at Caterham for 8 years or so before moving onto Trinity, and in some respects there is an overlap in ethos I think. His children still go to Caterham I believe, so he can't be entirely against co-ed. Very good train link from Croydon, S Croydon, Purley Oaks and Purley. I don't know any timid girls there I have to say but it is a busy bustling happy place.

Seeline · 01/08/2013 08:03

Interesting Ladymuck - I have to say I don't know much about it, but it is one of the ones on my list to visit!! I am trying to find other girls schools near Sanderstead/easy journey,, but haven't had much success as yet.
Mr B is always so for boys-only education when he speaks - boys learning in a different way etc, I find it hard to believe T will be going fully co-ed in the near future. As Soupy says, shame.....

SoupDragon · 01/08/2013 08:54

I did mention it to him during DS1's interview. He didn't seem at all keen (but then again, they did turn the 6th form co-ed soon after so who knows :o)

Ladymuck · 01/08/2013 09:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoupDragon · 01/08/2013 11:24

Is it Woldingham that has it's own train station?

Seeline · 01/08/2013 11:26

Thanks for all your input Ladymuck - a lot to think about. I'm not sure about travelling too far, we are only a short distance from Trinity and that has been a real struggle for DS on public transport (although maybe my acting as taxi on numerous occasions hasn't helped that one ).
I had heard that Greenacre wasn't at all academic so had crossed that off my list, but maybe I need to have a closer look.
I also need to visit CHS, because ATM that would be top of the list I think.

SoupDragon · 01/08/2013 11:27

DS2 is perfect Trinity material - I can't imagine Whitgift allowing him to be called "Bob" in any of his lessons, given that it isn't his name.

It's a shame there is only one Whitgift Foundation school for girls.

Leeds2 · 01/08/2013 11:37

Woldingham does have its own train station, Soup. A lot of girls commute from central London, as well as more local places, and there are mini buses to transfer them between school and the station.

Also a minibus that goes from Purley station to school every morning, and back in the evening, which also calls at Kenley.

Ladymuck · 01/08/2013 11:48

I'm not sure that Greenacre is academic tbh. It is just the only other girls' school that I can think of! And the head comes from the same stable as Mr Bishop as it were.

Girls seem to grow up v quickly in yr7, and school buses are a very different experience from public transport. But I agree - much better to be close, than commuting, especially in the exam years. I've had to compromise on distance in order to find selective and co-ed.

Asterisk · 04/08/2013 15:25

Seeline -- forgot to mention that Old Palace runs a two-week timetable so all classes are 'doubles'. This cuts down considerably on the amount of movement needed during the school day.

wandsworthma · 19/01/2015 14:29

Sorry for old thread revival, but wondered what the latest view of Old Palace was .

DD registered to have a go at their 10+ in Feb. We're in SW18, seems a long way to go, but DS is at W and we're v happy.

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