Croydon HS vs Old Palace Vs Harris Academy

[Nali]

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

[Finewineandcake]

If only we had T for girls! My DD has been offered a place at CHS with a very good scholarship but we are still waiting to see if the grammars are an option, only a couple of weeks to go! My concern is, should we be in the great position to have a choice between indie or grammar how it would affect her (the effect on the bank balance is an obvious plus). What I am trying to say is if she went to CHS then I'm guessing due to scholarship she'd be part of the top of the class whereas if she gets a grammar would she be just an average student! I know she always strives to be the best (and not at all in a cocky way) so just concerned her confidence might be knocked if she struggled to keep up with the super academic stars. Other concern is DS is at T and if we don't give her the opportunity an indie education with all the extras on offer and sports facilities etc, will we be letting her down? All just theory until offers day - we may not have the luxury of a choice to make!

[SoupDragon]

I am not sure how good his chances are (weaker English, good Maths).

Forago Ds2 scored at least twice as highly in his maths as he did in English for the Trinity entrance exam (y7 entry). IIRC,his English was something around 45% so less than half marks. He is doing brilliantly there. Whether they have lower standards for siblings though I don't know.

DD is now in Y4 and secondary school is looming far too quickly for my liking. Without having seen any of them, my instinct is for CHS as getting there is a piece of cake. Whether the feel of the school matches up when I go to look remains to be seen.

[Somelikeithott]

Sorry sent post mid sentence. I was going to say, I think journey times are important, so common sense will probably win.

Thanks to those who PM'd me in response to my initial query.

[Somelikeithott]

Hi all, i've been AWOL for a little while. Thanks seeline, I always hear good things about CHS senior school ( also think junior is great). DS opted for W, ( got into T & W). Both schools are great and we let him choose in the end. He is loving it there, and we are very happy so far. DS has lots of friends in T as well and they meet every now and then to exchange school stories....

Interesting comments about historical aspect of school life, CHS recently celebrated their 140th anniversary with a showcase at Fairfield halls. I had the pleasure of attending this and for me it highlighted a very strong sense of history, which I assume has been instilled into the girls. I was suitably impressed with the girls' performances, right from the very little ones to the bigger ones.

We have a few more years, but will definitely look at CHS, OP & C. As, in terms of travel convenience, and especially with DS at W, something local will make sense. ( My main concern about OP is that it is situated in the middle of Croydon, so close to the town centre. And also with the proposed redevelopment and croydon's own Westfield shopping mall, not sure what the ramifications of this will be yet, also heard from some OP old girls that it's not what it used to be, but TBH, not sure what to make of that.

I can't stop thinking maybe we should look a bit further afield as well, hence my earler JAGS question. We too, like seeline, are erring on the side of girls only set up. But some of the coeds seem amazing and vey tempting too, even a bit further afield, eg sevenoaks. As I think travel times and complexity plays a very important part in school life.

[ProEcclesiaDei]

I have name changed for this, as, with other information I have left on other threads, it might out me. I appreciate that this is an old thread, revived, but I offer my experience in case it helps anyone.

I was a pupil at OP in its direct grant days. At the time, its facilities for art, music and sport were pretty poor and, in retrospect, I regret the missed opportunities there, although at the time I was a straightforwardly academic child and it suited me well. The HT at the time clearly saw CHS as a rival and placed great emphasis (for example) on how many O levels we gained per capita, compared to CHS. She was committed to driving up academic standards and to raising girls' aspirations.

As far as I can see, from Old Girl communications, HTs since then have continued what our HT started. The buildings have been improved immeasurably, the school has expanded and joining the Whitgift Foundation (there were always informal links) has helped too. I hear what Molio says about the more modern facilities at CHS, but I always felt sorry for my friends at CHS because it was such a slog to get there, whereas OP was much more accessible. I doubt the time spent crossing the road is any more than students at schools with huge campuses spend walking to and from class.

If we had been looking for an independent school for DD, I'd have been very happy to send her to OP.

[Molio]

Interesting Seeline, and thanks. I was a direct grant pupil at the school under Elsa Cameron when it was all shiny and new and even then it was blindingly obvious that the facilities were fantastic. My brother was at Whitgift which looked very drab by comparison. It's good to hear about the Y7 history project because I can see now that Croydon High pulls together all that historical stuff about girls' education, the politics of education through the post war period to the present day and also showcases exemplars of leadership in education, as well as illustrating how schools rise and fall according to their HT. Even today, or perhaps especially today, the space at Croydon High is fab, compared to those old buildings huddled together in the centres of towns with sports facilities a hike or bus ride away. I find it interesting that no other school that I can think of sold up to capitalize on its assets for the future good of the school in that kind of way, and how far that reflected on Elsa Cameron's leadership. She just seemed scary at the time, but she was clearly fantastic. Fiddlesticks to 'old buildings'!

[Seeline]

Molio - having been to several open events at CHS I can confirm that they are very proud of their history, and seem to do a lot to instil a sense of that pride into the girls. I gather one of the first year history topics is researching that history, which I think is fascinating.
I think, whilst externally the buildings may not be great, they have updated internally to a very high standard and seem to have all the facilities required for a modern school. The extensive grounds are fantastic.
Personally, the 'historic' nature of the buildings at OP, was one of the factors that put me off OP - they just didn't seem to work for a modern school.

[Molio]

Asterisk in response to your comment that Croydon High doesn't have the 'same sense of history in its buildings': that's solely because in the early '60's the HM at the time, the redoubtable bluestocking Elsa Cameron, had the considerable vision to mastermind the sale of the central Croydon real estate to developers and build what was then a state of the art campus in Selsdon. That sort of vision was what made her so extraordinary and the school so exceptional at the time. It's sad that since then it's declined. Nevertheless the school does have history, which transcends the buildings. Before one disses those, perhaps compare them to the higgledy affairs of Wimbledon, Putney, South Hampstead who didn't have the same sort of leaders in the past to push through a redevelopment for the future good of the school. It would have been in their gift; they each failed to seize the moment. It's such a shame when HTs are selected who can't match up to the past let alone better it - a school is bound to rise or fall with whoever is in charge.

[camptownraces]

Basildonbond
Have you considered Sutton HS? Easy journey by train from Balham, easy safe walk from Sutton station.

[Seeline]

somelikeithot - Thanks - it's such a relief. I remember you from the T/W threads - not sure where you ended up though I just wish there was a T for girls
We didn't look at JAGS - felt it was too far away for us.
Looked at C. Felt it was a nice school, but not right for DD. Although it has been co-ed for a long time now (nearly 20 years?), it still felt like a boys' school in many respects. We also really wanted the all-girls set up. A bit reluctant to go with somewhere where you knew there was a new Head coming, but not meeting them as well.

[Somelikeithott]

Just to add another school into the mix, what do people think about JAGS? And also what are thoughts about C, and new headmaster coming?

[Somelikeithott]

Pleased to see that there is a thread for girls as well. Well done seeline and to your dd. I will be doing this for Dd in a few years. Enjoying the break, for now!

[wandsworthma]

Thanks all, appreciate the jump onto this thread and the info, very helpful. My DD loves OP, but can't get excited about it myself.

thanks again!

[forago]

thanks seeline that's great to hear. I have been avoiding those threads at the moment as ds has lots of friends who are just in the middle of 10+ and 11+ for T W and C at the moment with their DC and its all a bit much! I am just keeping my head down and considering what to do for next year. I went to see them all this year and I have to say T left by far the best and biggest impression. I have only ever heard positive parental feedback, including yours, with has got to mean something in my book. Also about W and C, but much more mixed!

Thanks for the info, I'll go back and have a look at the other thread :)

[Seeline]

forago -we are very happy with T. Suiting DS very well. He went in Y6 which did him a lot of good as he was getting nowhere at his state primary. I think the shock of having to work was huge, but he seems to be enjoying it (now Y8). He was bright, but not hugely, and likewise maths was (and still is) his better subject by quite some way. I really like the atmosphere and ethos at T. We only looked at T and W, but have looked at C for DD more recently. T still remains my preferred option. HAve a look at the T/W thread for 2013, 2014 and the current one www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/2258026-The-Trinity-Whitgift-Dulwich-Alleyns-10-11-thread-2015? for loads more information

[forago]

sorry for hijack btw

[forago]

hi seeline how are you finding T? I really love this school for my DS (y5) but. although he is very much improving, I am not sure how good his chances are (weaker English, good Maths).

He is a T boy really without a doubt, though his school are saying C. W I am not sure is really us though I think he'd get in there easier than T. I don't want to get too attached to T if its not realistic. But if you tell me how amazing it is I might consider a tutor :)

[Seeline]

Hi Wandsworth - as requested leapt over from the T/W thread

I have looked round OP several times now and just didn't like the feel of it or the approach of the HM. Without saying anything to DD when I took her to the open day, she came out at the end and told me very firmly that she didn't want to go there - she is very strong minded.
I had considered the 10+ option there but it was so different from the equivalents at T and W I felt she would actually be better staying at her state primary, despite not really being challenged there.
We opted for CHS in the end - it just seemed the right place for DD. We received an offer before Christmas
DS is at T - I think there are sisters at CHS, OP and all the other usual suspects!

[basildonbond]

The Whitgift sisters we know (similar area to you wandsworthma) are at Alleyn's, JAGS, Streatham & Clapham High and Emanuel. The problem with OP from Wandsworth/Balham/tooting is the journey - Whitgift is very straightforward, one train, no changes with lots of boys on the train at the same time. Getting to west Croydon is trickier and then you've got to walk through a less than lovely bit of Croydon to get to school. Although there are a few girls going from this area the vast majority are going to be more local to the school

[Ladymuck]

I would say that I know sisters of Whitgift boys at Alleyns, OP, Croydon High, Woldingham, Caterham and Trinity (and I'm sure there are many more further afield!). Certainly OP isn't the main or only choice for Whitgift parents. Not sure if that helps you!

[wandsworthma]

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.

[Asterisk]

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.

[Ladymuck]

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.

[Leeds2]

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.

[SoupDragon]

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.