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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

SWPS Chertsey and GPs paying

50 replies

Mmmmnotquitesure · 21/02/2014 22:44

DD has a place at SWPS but failed to get a bursary place. Her grandma is considering paying for her fees but her liquid assets are currently not much more than the cost of her education in total.

What are your thoughts on the school itself and the main issue for me is that her older brother is at a local comp - and doing very well, and I won't be able to afford for DD2 to go independent so there may be some potential ill-feeling in the future. I do think though the school is right for her now considering various other issues and knowing her, but is it worth the obvious down sides regarding fees??

OP posts:

Unexpected · 24/02/2014 00:28

I would be concerned at your GPs ability to continue paying the fees. It sounds as if her contribution would take a huge chunk of her assets. What would happen if her situation changed and she could no longer contribute?

trader21c · 24/02/2014 00:50

what I find expensive about D of E is buying the kit! Sleeping bag, waterproof jacket, rucksack, waterproof trousers, hiking trousers, compass - it's all adding up, on top of the £150 we're paying to do the bronze at DD's school ... guess we could've forced her to get secondhand stuff off Ebay - but teenage girls like it new!!! There was no pressure to do it at DD's school which is another girls' indie - infact there were less places than girls who wanted to take part - so was a case of first come first served.

Randommess - if you are still keen could your DD do a trial day at the school? My DD's friend did when she was considering moving to SWEPS
(she did transfer) ... what did you feel when you looked round the school? What did you like about it? I know several girls who go there and all are very happy ... although as others have said, fees go up every year, and there are 'extras' to think about ... same with any private school :) The trip in Y7 they did at DD's school too and it was more or less compulsory to bond the new girls - most other trips though at our school (including one to Iceland this year, which DD is definitely not going on!!) are optional and I haven't ever felt pressure to send DD on them. They also don't seem to be any more expensive than the ones DD's cousin gets at his comp.

Original poster

Mmmmnotquitesure · 25/02/2014 11:58

Have done lots more thinking!
DS is just about kitted out for his DofE so that doesn't bother me as I'll keep it all! I've also decided on the basis of loving the school and the atmosphere walking around and the curriculum being great for her that we'll give it a go- I'd rather regret doing something than not doing something.

If it doesn't work out then fine. It's not life or death and GP is keen for her to get the opportunity too so let's do it!

Next problem- I looked at the acceptance forms last night for the first time and they want signatures from all with parental responsibility- Ex may not cooperate (just for the sake of it because he doesn't want his inheritance 'wasted'). Mil is deciding how to deal with that one...

OP posts:

trader21c · 25/02/2014 20:22

Good luck - good that you've made a decision - I've only heard good things from parents with kids at the school

RandomMess · 25/02/2014 21:14

Good luck, hopefully your ex will get on and sign the acceptance forms.

Original poster

Mmmmnotquitesure · 25/02/2014 23:21

I'm not sure he'll be given much choice to be honest!! We haven't told her yet- just waiting for the deposit to be paid and we'll give her the letter addressed to her that came with the place offer. I'm actually feeling ok about it all now and think she's ready for big school anyway - she needs to be amongst the older kids I think.

Thanks for all your thoughts!

OP posts:

Gunfleetsands · 26/02/2014 10:22

Good Luck - I do hope it all goes well for you and your DD. I am sure she will be very excited when she finds out.

One tip: When you buy the uniform from the school shop, as far as I am aware, most girls wear the short sleeved blouse all year round.

RandomMess · 26/02/2014 18:54

Don't forget what I said about the school skirt, plus there is a 2nd hand uniform shop I believe

Original poster

Mmmmnotquitesure · 27/02/2014 16:10

Cheers! Will check out the skirt. My ds wears short sleeves all year anyway too. Ex however is refusing to sign the acceptance form and it does ask that all those with PR sign it. More hassles...

OP posts:

tess73 · 27/02/2014 17:23

I'm sure they've had this before . If he's not responsible for the fees it might not be such a problem!

RandomMess · 27/02/2014 18:57

Perhaps PIL should just tell him he'll be written out of the will altogether if he doesn't sign

serialswitcher · 28/02/2014 21:30

My DD left SWPS last summer and had a brilliant time, absolutely the right school for her, I can't recommend it enough. Just to clear a few things up:

The only of the sports that has an additional cost is rowing- all others are free of additional charges.

You do NOT have to pay for textbooks, or exercise books, only the texts for English literature for GCSE and A level.

It is really not one of those 'poor kid amongst the wealthy' schools- some families are very well off, yes, but many are just normal middle income families who have chosen to make sacrifices for the fees and some of DD's friend's parents were practically scraping together every last saving to cover the cost. The school is friendly and has excellent pastoral care- it has done wonders for DD.

Duke of Edinburgh bronze is done by most but certainly not forced and kit is provided.

Original poster

Mmmmnotquitesure · 02/03/2014 21:02

SS- thank you for your post- great to hear. He finally relented and signed to form today. We surprised DD by giving her the letter that came with the offer and she was overwhelmed and really happy!! Really looking forward to her induction day!

Any other tips on helping her settle appreciated!

OP posts:

RandomMess · 02/03/2014 21:09

Great news Hope it all goes well.

PoshDee · 05/03/2014 18:28

MM, My daughter also got into SWPS. Looking forward to the induction day too.

Original poster

Mmmmnotquitesure · 05/03/2014 23:10

PD- where will she be commenting from?

OP posts:

Original poster

Mmmmnotquitesure · 05/03/2014 23:13

Commuting.... Bloody iPad!!

OP posts:

PoshDee · 06/03/2014 10:20

MM- She will commuting from Woking. Horsell. What about your daughter?

Original poster

Mmmmnotquitesure · 06/03/2014 11:17

Addlestone, not far really! She might cycle in the summer.

OP posts:

Eghamite · 07/03/2014 18:38

My three DDs are at SWPS and they are all doing really well. They all have different personalities and all fit in.

We have modest finances and don't feel like poor relations. The price and number of trips seem reasonable.

I'm impressed by both academic and pastoral care.

PoshDee · 07/03/2014 20:26

Thanks Eghamite. I heard that there are 24 in a class, a bit worried about the size.

Eghamite · 07/03/2014 20:51

I think that may be an absolute maximum, physically speaking, ie the number of desks in the room. My Y7 DD has 20 in her class. She says that the other Y7 classes are the same. My elder two haven't been in bigger classes, and with options subjects, their classes are significantly smaller. DD1's class size ranges from 2 - 10.

Their intake is totally average up to gifted. They can cope with bigger classes. :)

We've come from the opposite extreme, ie from a tiny prep school, where they were prima donnas. They get a healthy dose of reality at SWPS (and I have to suppress any alpha mum tendencies :) )

RandomMess · 07/03/2014 20:57

With up to 24 in a class that is lots of friendship options also it's great for group work, plenty of variety and options to group people etc. I think really small classes can actually be more of an issue especially in the lower school years.

PoshDee · 08/03/2014 16:16

Thank you for the information Eghamite.
Randomness, thank u. I agree with u.

swiper2013 · 24/05/2014 09:22

Just seen this thread. Really relieved as my DD Starting in Sept. Have an older one there too who loves it. Class sizes vary with the year but no problem with that. The Head is going and the Deputy taking over which everyone in the place is pleased about and some say it will be even better. See you in September then!

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