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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Secondary education

Guildford Highschool or Surbiton High?

44 replies

jennymalaysia · 27/02/2016 11:52

Help!! We have until Thursday to decide on Surbiton High (on an Academic Scholarship) of Guildford High. My DD is a good allrounder, sporty but not a genius and has been really really lucky to have been offered an academic scholarship to Surbiton and a place at GHS. The results at GHS are amazing but I am concerned that DD will lose confidence at the school because everyone is so bright. Also heard it is really pushy and competitive and don't want DD to feel too much pressure. Surbiton seems more "real" and Ive heard scholars are well looked after but the results are quite bad and I'm concerned that DD may end up coasting. ANY ADVICE would be really appreciated. Thanks so much

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EMPS · 29/05/2018 05:49

So what did you decide?

nocampinghere · 24/11/2016 12:18

and actually it's not always about being "good enough"
the schools are good at selecting those children who will/should thrive there.

i've also learned not to be offended by waiting list offers. it doesn't mean you're not good enough. it's often that they are being careful with numbers / stung in recent years with too many acceptances and having to put on bulge classes which they just can't continue to do. Surbiton had an extra class last year i think, so this year they are likely to be a bit more restrained with the number of offers.

there are quite a few dcs amongst dd2's friends at a selective independent who got in on wait list. they are average in the year group, nowhere near the bottom academically.

nocampinghere · 24/11/2016 12:15

i've been through it twice before. about to do it for the last time thank goodness

apply for those you would be happy with (max 3 or 4)
and trust the process.
i know so many who were upset when offer time came but a year or two later they realise their dc got into the best school for them. Nothing worse than being in a school where everyone is better than you at everything!

Cate1971 · 23/11/2016 22:21

Thanks nocampinghere for the replies. Fingers crossed my DD will perform her best in the exams..after a certain point we have to leave it up to fate.. not a lot we can do. My DD is very strong on English, top reader in her class get thru books like crazy.. and sporty all rounder but less so on maths. Still think Wimbledon is the hardest and probably out of our reach and not a right for therefore.

nocampinghere · 23/11/2016 10:45

They're all hard to get into! just a lot of applicants per place.
Surbiton will be first choice for many - and back up for many! sorry not v helpful..

Cate1971 · 22/11/2016 19:40

Thanks. Do many people use Surbiton girls as a first choice or back up? I see the results they are getting as pretty good. How hard is it to get into,? Sorry am new to london and this school has such great coach routes it's brilliant for us to get to. Any advice is helpful as am new to it all..i am assuming Putney high is more difficult and Wimbledon more so? Am I correct?

nocampinghere · 22/11/2016 14:03

Cate1971 i don't know the date but know lots of people who have applied for sports, drama & music scholarships. no one has heard yet.

Herbypotatoe · 21/11/2016 21:04

A caring mummy at last, the number of mums who care about Oxbridge or a grade A over their DC happiness is overwhelming at my DS school.

Cate1971 · 20/11/2016 19:07

Does anyone know when Surbiton High announces shortlisted candidates for the sports scholarship? Have daughter applying for Yr 7 and deadline for submissions was Nov 1st. Haven't heard back yet. It says shortlisted candidates will be assessed Jan 6th after they entry exam. Anyone have previous years experience on when they contact to say you made it thru to that stage? Fingers crossed at the moment. .. we really going to this school factoring In the discount in fees for the scholarship .. any comments appreciated

Cantwaittillitsallover14 · 15/04/2016 13:28

Why GHS pamlaw? Please help as we have two days left...😱

semideponent · 08/04/2016 19:03

GHS all the way…I chose it over Tormead way back in 1992 (parents gave me the choice) and it pays off to this day. I'm self-employed and the line of work I'm in means that people sometimes enquire. They've almost always heard of the school and it never fails to make a good impression.

Obviously my experience is from way back now, but I remember the immense kindness of several teachers at times when I was struggling.

pamlaw · 07/04/2016 18:57

GHS , no brainer!

SAHDthatsall · 17/03/2016 16:35

No, no one.

Well apart from here...:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/2583540-LEH-or-Guildford

Cantwaittillitsallover14 · 17/03/2016 14:10

Does anyone have any views on my choice between LEH and GHS?

notagiraffe · 04/03/2016 23:08

GHS is a better school. If she got in, she's bright enough to go there.

yourmothernotyourfriend · 04/03/2016 23:02

Apologies - I should have been clearer. I meant that the journey length (and so the catchment area from which pupils are drawn) for either school will have ramifications for your daughter's social life. Also, if she wishes to be involved with after-school activities, you will need to consider journey times outside of the usual school day parameters (which I think JennyMalaysia has already acknowledged). You may not find that the journey times by bus/ coach and train at later times are comparable. However, I appreciate that this is now entirely academic as you will have made your decision already! Good luck whichever way you went!

SAHDthatsall · 02/03/2016 12:25

You misread, the commute is about the same, time wise at least, one by train and one by bus. I would guess about 20 mins journey only.

yourmothernotyourfriend · 02/03/2016 11:53

I totally agree with GinandJag. Whilst I don't have girls at either school, I attended a girls only school that involved a long commute and feel that I missed out on so much of school life. If I wanted to go to a friend's house after school I had to stay over as the journey home alone was too far in the evening (which limited invitations) and I abstained from many after school activities as I was too anxious about getting home and completing all of my homework to the required standard. I would recommend keeping her closer to home and, if your daughter is happy, her results will flow from that. Good luck with making the decision!

SAHDthatsall · 29/02/2016 17:16

Ah I see. Fair enough. Depends very much on the day and the style of questions asked (esp English) - we had the same situation with KGS.

The coach - which I presume your DS gets with mine from Claygate! - is good but not cheap! And then when they stay after school it has been a pain going to pick him up. I worked out he could get the 111 from outside Hampton to Kingston and walk down the road for the K3; the journey is about an hour to an hour and a half in total.

jennymalaysia · 29/02/2016 17:06

Well we didn't leave LEH off list. DD did not get an offer to LEH only wait list. She says she had an off day. However even though DS is at Hampton our preference would have been GHS because there is no public transport to LEH and a a working mom I struggle with this!

OP posts:

SAHDthatsall · 29/02/2016 14:21

Yes GHS for me. We have boys but I suspect we were in a similar situation between Hampton and Reeds and went for the former.

Still curious (no great reason) as to why you missed LEH off your list...

TeddTess · 29/02/2016 14:05

GHS then. definitely.

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cakeisalaystheanswer · 29/02/2016 13:27

I know exactly where you are coming from with your "top dog" comment and IMO she needs to be at the most selective school because there is a narrower range of ability and she will be less inclined to coast.

In your situation I would find it difficult to turn down one of the top girls schools in the country. She is very lucky and I'm sure worked very hard to have a place.

jennymalaysia · 29/02/2016 13:13

Prep school head does not really know DD as we has only been in school 4 terms. She did not recommend one way or other, isn't saying anything really. DD is in set 2 only because of the catch up required when she joined school in year 5. She has now been moved to set 1. I suspect she is one who is more likely to coast if seen as "top dog", as evidenced by the effort she put in over last 3 months to get into a great school. She does respond well to challenges. Scholarship is 25 percent, so not insignificant but not a reason to go I think. And it can be taken away in any year if she falls below standard.

OP posts:

cakeisalaystheanswer · 29/02/2016 10:53

What does your prep school head say? They have the experience of sending DCs to senior schools every year, they know your DD personally, what is their advice? Also, where are the rest of set 2 going? because this seems to be your DDs peer group working at a normal pace.
GHS is one of the top girls schools in the country, the only reason not to go is if it will be too much of a stretch.

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