Got offers for Alleyn's and Greycoat

[Luna9]

Hi. My niece has got offers from Alleyn's and the Greycot. She is not sure of which one to choose; Alleyn's is within walking distance and Greycoat is one bus drive, 45 min each way. My niece has an attitute to languages and got offered a language place at the Greycoat; she is also very artistic and enjoys sports; they can afford the fees at Alleyn's. They are both very good school but also very different. They are middle class but no wealthy. She has accepted both as she is not sure yet. Can people with children at both school give us advise; what are they like socially, academically, which one offer the best opportunity academically. Thank you.

I did not say local children shouldn't get priority. When I was at school there were a lot of local children at both schools. I don't think one has to compromise the other.
The school has always been rough, that will never change.
Also it's my understanding that Lambeth for example doesn't have a problem other than snobbery. Lambeth Academy is a very good school and not oversubscribed. If people don't support their local school then it's no wonder school places are an issue. The solution is to stop the outstanding vs failing school BS that puts educationally aware parents off schools and makes them claw each other's eyes out to get to the 'right' school.

Girls from East Dulwich have been getting in for years. There are some very committed, church and C of E primary school attending families.

Thank you very much for your advice; it is very helpful to read everybody opinions. The decision is pointing to Alleyns; it is a great school and being able to walk is a big plus. There is a long life of commuting ahead for her and she can use the extra time for other activities.

Luna, I think she will be very happy there.

Don't know if I'm too slow in responding but my niece goes to GCH. She got an offer for a Dulwich private school & GCH but fees were an important part of my sister's decision so they chose GCH. Niece is in yr 9 and is happy there. She has some friends who live very near the school and some friends who live in SE15 & SE22. Most of the girls my sister has met seem to come from local (yes!) East Dulwich, Peckham, Herne Hill & Blackheath areas. Initially she took the train and walked from Victoria but now takes the bus as it gives her time to sketch and read. From my sister's account GCH is very good in art & music. Niece isn't sporty so not sure but doubtful that sports are as good as Alleyns. Lots of GCH girls take 185 or any bus to Denmark Hill and train to Victoria (10 mins). Like all schools there are great, good, bad, and indifferent aspects to the school and each school with suit some more then others. That said both are good schools. Wishing your sister best of luck with the decision, think either way they have great choices.

Thank you MMMaria

Hi, Luna9, out of interest have you made your mind up yet? Alleyns or Greycoats?

Hi Goz; my niece and her parents went for Alleyns; main reasons is that she loves arts, it is within walking distance for her and it has an excellent reputation.

Hi Luna, well done for your niece. That's interesting.. how long did it take to make the decision them from getting the offer at GCH to declining the language place. It must have been a tough decision. Was it a recent decision or did they decline the place in March?

Hi Luna 9 - have not heard from you. My cousin's niece's friend has a daughter high up on the waiting list for the scholarship and since your niece has got into ALLEYNS, her position has not changed, so I'm a bit confused. Please help with any advice

Hi my space; Do you mean a scholarship for Alleyns or for the language place at GHS? I am a bit confused too. I am not sure when they declined the place exactly.

Hi, the person that I know was high up on the waiting list for a Greycoats language place, so I'm confused that if your daughter has declined the language place at Greycoats ,why is that the girl that I know has not moved up a place on the waiting list. I will get my cousin's niece's friend to call admissions again tomorrow as I am confused.com and I know she will be furious and want a full investigation.