Thoughts on Cheltenham Ladies College

[KarlosKKrinkelbeim]

Considering it for dd. Have visited a couple of times. Clearly it’s impressive but I wonder if it would suit a more sensitive child. Dd very sociable and outgoing, with a level of what I would broadly call emotional intelligence well beyond her years, but shy until she warms up and quite easily bruised, emotionally speaking.
That said, the girls I know there who have thrived are not pushy alpha females either. I’m a bit flummoxed as to what to make of it really. Academics speak for themselves And dd needs inspiring teaching but will crumble if pushed too hard.

When I was there in the late '70s it was academically strong but the pastoral care was absolutely terrible. I'm sure it's improved now, as most boarding schools have. However it is a very large school.

I would never send my kids there due to my own bad experiences, however luckily it's not been an option for us.

I'm sure you will get better advice from people with more recent experience of the school.

I’m sorry you had a bad time. Have heard similar from others there in 70s and 80s. Yes, the size worries me. I think the diversity there would be good for dd in all sorts of ways, but she could be intimidated by the sheer scale of it.
That said, she’s seen it and liked it.

I went there in the 80s (have namechanged!) and really enjoyed it as did the vast majority of my friends. A couple now have girls there and they are very happy too. I think it caters for all sorts- confident, shy, spot, geeky etc. It's a big school but the house system is very good so it doesn't feel too big.

Thank you. That’s reassuring about it suiting a range of personality types. Stands to reason a big school would be a broad church but it doesn’t always work like that of course. I don’t want to put my little minnow in a big pool only to see her drown!!

I know lots of colleagues have sent their DDs there, and at my ds Co ed private school some of the girls move on to the ladies college for senior school. I also live quite close to a couple of their boarding houses. I would say if I had a dd it wouldn't be my choice, I hear the girls can be very hard on each other and there is an awful lot of pressure. But to be fair my view is probably a bit coloured by the fact I'm not keen on single sex schools anyway. Have you considered Dean Close just down the road?

I have 3 friends who currently have DDs there - two in Year 11 and one in Year 9. They are “sociable outgoing but not pushy alpha female” to use your descriptors, and they love it and are thriving. These are girls I have known pretty much from their birth. I have sons and not daughters otherwise we would be considering it.

Hi, my DD is currently at CLC. Pastoral care is excellent. Although it is a big school, it means there is something for everybody with an amazing array of co-curricular options. DD's friends are a mix of those in her House, other boarding houses and day girls. If you want to know anything specific PM me. The academics are excellent, but there is also plenty of care and support. I don't think there is a "type", again with a large school there are many types of girl and space for all. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend CLC and if your DD likes it...

Thank you all for helpful thoughts and info. Still deliberating but reassured by what I hear.

I am also considering CLC and few other girls boarding schools for my DD. Nice to hear different views from this thread!

Where else are you looking Trudy?
Dd’s deputy head also suggested we look at st mary’s Ascot. Had passed over this one in initial sift of possibles - really not sure now why!

I heard St Mary's Ascot only accepts Catholics.

I am also looking at Queenswood, St Catherine's Bramley and Headington.

So I just remembered- non catholics can go there, but are v much a minority. It’s a catholic school, and I think dd, having been brought up in a house where religion has no significance, will find that hard to fit in with.

Do you feel the boarding houses are too far from the main building? Would the girls be in a rush going from class to class, back to boarding houses for meals, then go to other sites for class or activities?
Thanks!

I was in a house near the playing fields so one of the furthest from the school. Was absolutely fine and nice to be near the fields at the weekend- although in the 80s we weren't really allowed anywhere else- all changed now!
Nice to have a bit of a walk to school rather than sleeping, eating and working all in the same building.
We didn't really have after school clubs or anything either- again how things have changed!- but imagine it all works out fine.

Thank you so much for your sharing! I guess only the parents like myself would worry about too much of walking
Last time visited CLC, saw some girls holding their books strolling on the street, probably in between classs or lunch time. They seemed having a good time chatting with each other.

I like the closeness to the town and the fact the girls can go in and shop, socialise and involve themselves in sports and other events locally. I think it’s a big plus.

DD is in one of the houses away from school. The walk doesn't seem to be a problem and they give them plenty of time between lessons. It also means that they get away from school at lunchtime, evenings and weekends. Gives the House a very homely feel. Lots of trips to the shops, House weekend activities, clubs and activities. DD also likes being near the sports facilities.

My DD is currently in the first year (LC1) and totally loving it. She came from a very small prep school, she’s bright, quite sporty, fairly musical but above all she’s a great kid. Gets on with everyone, easy going, v confident... bla bla bla.
CLC has been amazing. The pastoral care has been superb, her house mistress is amazing, we met all the teachers at Parents evening and they already seem to have a great understanding of her. PM me for more details

So far would the spread out of buildings, boarding houses, Sports Hall.. etc. bother your girls at all? Would they find it difficult to find the ways to all the locations? What do you think of the security of the neighborhood since the girls have to walk on the streets daily?

Thank you!

Not at all, trudylady. The girls have to walk in pairs and are often in groups with large numbers of girls walking to and from the same place at the same time. I have no issue with my DD walking, but then I let her go into town etc when she's home. Can't wrap them in cotton wool.

As some parents I talked to have concern on the non-inclusive campus, but for me I like CLC a lot after school visit. Thank you for your reassuring!

I was a day girl in the 90s. Recently returned for a reunion and was impressed by how progressive the current head is and how it seems that pastoral care has become such a huge priority there
I'm still best friends with girls I met here
We're none of us aristocratic nor even upper class mostly kids of hard working middle class parents who appreciate the school gave us opportunities in life and also pushed us harder than we may have been -none of us hugely academic either
I was a day girl so boarding may have been a different experience

trudy the houses may be spread out from the main school but having lived in Cheltenham all my life I assure you they're all in the nice part of town / no issues
Plus as pp stated we-always walked in groups

Hi - we've just registered my DD at CLC for entrance at 11+ next year and I wondered if anyone could advise / help with recommending tutors to support her over the next few months in preparation for the exam? We live overseas and although my DD is in a British curriculum school, it's standard isn't all that high and they don't seem to cover the same curriculum that may be assessed. I'm prepared to fly my DD over to the UK to have some tutoring in the summer which I'd then continue on-line. Any advice on tutors or how to prepare for the 11+ assessment would be hugely appreciated!

A pal has a DD there and she is very happy. Last year's A level results weren't too hot mind.