Tiffin Girls

[Nevercoulddecide]

Hi,
My DD's lucky enough to have been offered a place at Tiffin. I'd be very interested to hear from anyone with experience of the school, good or bad. Thanks

Congrats ... we got Tiffin girls too. Its a great state school and of course very academic.

What other options are you considering ?

Thanks. Congrats to you too. We've whittled it down to Tiffin or NHEHS. DD prefers Tiffin but I've read a few things about it being an exam factory/not great teaching/too much pressure. Having a last minute panic I think!!

The 11+ Forum might give you some answers more quickly, as many of the parents on that site seem to be super invested in the Tiffin schools.

DD has a primary school friend who is in Year 7 at Tiffin Girls. She seems to be thriving (from what she's said to DD). However, I've not had any recent contact with her DM so not sure what her views are.

Did you not ask those questions of the girls when you looked round, OP?

It's interesting that the girls' schools (Nonsuch too) get this type of semi-negative publicity but the boys equivalents don't seem to. I've not once heard Wilson's described as "an exam factory".

Well done to your DD, OP.

DD has been at TGS for 2 years.
So far she’s happy there and so are we. Homework has been light compared to her friends at private schools. I don’t know if it’s just her class but they’re really not competitive, they share tips and Quizlets with each other before exams and don’t generally discuss results (of course there are exceptions but those girls are generally ignored). The teachers are careful to tone down performance comparisons. Nonetheless, academic achievement is regarded as cool. DD is quirky and not very sociable but has found a group of like minded girls after some trial and error and is happy. Rules and uniforms are generally quite relaxed. Detentions are rare and no real “demerit” system.

Some of the teaching seems lazy and disorganised. PE wasn’t great for the first year as they really focused on the top set and everyone else was just looked on with contempt by the teacher ... this has improved since the teacher changed but there isn’t generally an effort to include those not naturally good at netball or just acknowledge effort. Music used to be good but since the new head of music arrived, it’s been quieter. Not a lot on offer unless you sing in a choir or play a mainstream orchestra instrument. Lunch doesn’t sound great ... too crowded and food not great... DD takes packed lunch.

We were also offered SPGS, LU, GL but the cost was the determining factor for us. I think some of the issues at TGS probably won’t happen at those private schools and some part of me will always wonder... eg friend at GL said they had a “failure day” in which the students were staff were challenged to try and fail at something and so they all had a go failing at gymnastics or climbing etc and laughed at each other .. what an amazing idea. DD would’ve LOVED GL’s climbing wall as she hates netball and rounders.

But DD does a lot outside school and seems to enjoy a fairly low key school experience, so I think it’s worked for her. The money will make a huge positive difference to our lives and probably also to DD’s life, in the end.

DD1 left last year and was very happy throughout her 7 years. She never felt particularly pressurised and had plenty of time for out of school activities. I can't comment on drama or sport, but I saw lots of music and art going on and my impression was that there is a lot of extra curricular activity.

DD found her year group very friendly and inclusive and made good friends. In the early years she didn't socialise at weekends much with school friends due to geography. She wasn't too bothered, but another child might feel differently.

As a parent I was very happy with the teaching. I never had any problems to resolve so I can't comment on how responsive the staff are. Parents evening was always very professional with plenty of useful comments and feedback.

About 30 girls last year went to Oxbridge (including DD) so it is clearly a very academically ambitious and successful place. However, we didn't experience any kind of 'hot house' culture. I have only positive things to say!

Thanks Reelinglush18. Yes, loads more stuff on 11+! I did ask on the open day and thought all the girls seemed lovely and happy but then made the cardinal mistake of Googling when the actual offer came through!

It is interesting that the girls schools seem to get this sort of feedback and the boys don't.

It's great to hear you and your DD are happy 30daysofyoga. And good to know some of the imperfections! I'm not that worried about sport as she does a lot out of school and will want to continue to keep contact with her local friends. Same goes for music to a degree.

I know what you mean about the 'dare to fail' attitude and that's the sort of thing that's been making me hesitate. But it is a lot of money and we'd probably be better saving our limited funds to see her through Uni.

Thank you Levie, that's wonderful to hear. Well done to your daughter. Hope she has as good a time at Uni!

dd is at Tiffin and we're very happy with it. We have one dc at an indie and had offers for dd at some of the indies often mentioned on here, so experience of both sectors, but no regrets here.

Thanks themagicamulet. Decision is made. Tiffin here we come!

Great decision - congratulations!

Good luck to your DD, OP.

And well done for making the decision.

Thank you very much for all your help. x