Didcot Girls School and Matthew Arnold

[Sinkingfeeling]

Interested in views from anyone who has children currently at either school. We're applying for secondaries for dd1 at the moment and Didcot is her top choice, though we actually live in catchment for Matthew Arnold. Have been to both open evenings recently and was very impressed by head at Didcot. GCSE results at the two schools seem broadly comparable. I went to an all-girls school and did very well academically (less well socially!), and I also think that it's easier for girls to excel in science and maths in an all-female environment. On the other hand, most of her friends will be going to Matthew Arnold, we liked the feel of it and we would (at the moment) get school transport there.

I went to both of these schools, started at DGS then moved closer to Oxford and changed to Matthew Arnold. I have friends with DC at both schools now and hear more positive reports from Matthew Arnold. I much preferred having a co-ed environment plus Matthew Arnold had a more diverse intake which made it far more interesting.

My DS is at Matthew Arnold and loves it. Difficult to assess how it would be for girls, but the school does specialise in Maths and Tech so there would be room for her to excel.

Can't help with Matthew Arnold but my DD has just started year 7 at DGS (not much choice really as that is where we live) and loves it - I have been very impressed so far with it all, and the 'new' head seems very hot on uniform/behaviour and that kind of stuff that may worry you about all girls.

I was against all girls but the more I hear of it and experience it I think it is a good thing. And of course the sixth form is mixed (with St Birinus).

Good luck with your decision.

Thank you, everyone - very helpful information and plenty to think about. I'm worried if we put DGS as our first choice and Matthew Arnold (our catchment school) as second, we might not get places at either! Hmm, this secondary school application business ain't easy.

You'd get one at least. We're out of catchment for MA but put it first choice. First time around, we were allocated a place at our catchment school, which we'd put as second choice. But we held our nerve and asked to be reconsidered for MA -- and got a place in the April rejig. If MA is your catchment school you'll certainly get a place there.

Putting DGS as first prefernce has no bearing on your chances of getting a place at MA.

preference