Francis Holland School (SW1), what do you think?

[orangina]

Hello...

Thinking ahead as to where dd might go to secondary school (she is currently in y4 in local state primary), and was wondering if anyone had any experience of Francis Holland? We are W London based, and while I think our first choice is likely to be G&L, I feel I ought to have a few options up my sleeve....!

All advice gratefully received, thank you!

People are v snooty about FH, as I'm sure you aware it has a reputation for being for naicer, dimmer girls. One of the coolest and cleverest women I know went there and loved it, so don't believe all you hear - know another lovely woman who went to the FH near Regent's Park, which attracts even more opprobrium for not being a 4A* factory. She said it suited her because it was very nurturing. Both are a lot younger than me, so this is relatively up to date. As I'm sure you're aware, you have to visit these schools and go on gut feeing, as much as anything.

It's recently got a new head, and reputation seems to be rising.

Thank you both.... I had heard about the new head, but as it was never on my radar, I wasn't too clued up about its current reputation etc. My knowledge about the school dates back to my time at school (ahem, rather a while ago now....), when it was full of wealthy girls with not too many academic expectations....

Will go to open day in the Autumn and get a feel for it myself.

Still v happy to hear from anyone with a daughter there at the moment... thanks!

I think the Regents Park branch is thought as more academic at the moment but depending on where you live it might be too awkward a journey. Don't forget when looking at schools you will have to drop your daughter off or pick her up at some funny times. Dd2's trips at Easter involved a 4am drop off & a 4.30am drop off.

St James near Olympia is often thought of a weird as it serves only vegetarian food and allows the girls to meditate at the start of each day but I know a number of girls who have flourished there.

Putney High & Notting Hill & Ealing High are both more academic than FHS, Queensgate or St James (but might be too similar in level to G&L).

We live v close to St James and is (possibly) on our list.... interesting that you say that putney high is more academic than FHS, I had no idea.... I think NHEH sounds great, but is a bit further than we want to go...

St James doesn't select by straight academic ability, they look at the child as a whole & interview parents as well as children. Their results are very good when you consider this. From what I gather it is a much gentler school environment. They use the King's House playing fields at Dukes Meadows in Chiswick for sport.