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info about Camden School for Girls please

10 replies

Yay4may · 14/06/2018 11:59

Please can anyone tell me anything about Camden School for Girls? I've just realised we are in the catchment and I don't know anything about it.

I'll take anything, gossip, hearsay, direct knowledge! Will do actual research on it I promise but wanting to hear how its thought of/perceived/etc as well.

Thanks in advance.....

OP posts:
Farewelltoarms · 14/06/2018 15:49

I'm amazed you've only just discovered you're in catchment! I thought everyone in the area with girls knew where they were to the nearest metre.

My kids don't go there (not near enough) but I know people who do. It has a relatively high number of high achievers on entry (www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/100054/the-camden-school-for-girls), and I think gets the best gsce results of any comprehensive school that's not faith (which is selective in its way) or partially selective (e.g. Dame Alice Owen's which I never understand why is described as comprehensive).

I wouldn't say it's entirely free from some covert selection though. The musical aptitude places attract high achievers and the fact that you have to do the banding test so early is another way of weeding people out. Also they base the bands on those that take the test rather than the general population which means that the bands reflect a slightly higher ability.

I like that it's non-uniform and the girls I know are confident. It hasn't been ofstedded for years and the head is leaving. It seems not the place for a fragile girl.

I hear good things about Parliament Hill which seems gentler.

AgonyBeetle · 14/06/2018 16:39

Well some people would think being in the CSG catchment is the equivalent of winning the lottery. Whereas others (including us) have gone for the other local options despite being in the Camden catchment. So it's definitely a horses for courses thing...

CSG is obv good academically, particularly if you want Latin and Greek, or music.

It has a very cramped site, sandwiched between a main road and petrol station, and a railway line. It's very 6th form heavy, and takes in a lot of private school kids (including boys) at 16+, so that will affect the vibe.

Otherwise, and this is anecdote not data, it's quite a 'cool girls' school (which was one of our reasons for not choosing it). I have heard (again, anecdote) stories of girls instagramming pictures of self-harm, that kind of thing. There is also (again, anecdote) a bit of a divide between the middle-class girls and the girls from the local estates (they have a banding system, so different catchment areas for different ability bands).

If you're in catchment for CSG, then you're almost certainly also in catchment for Parliament Hill and Acland Burghley, so go check them out and see what you think. They both have v different vibes: Burghley is mixed and quite 'urban', but increasingly v popular - I really like the head. Parli has the lovely site on the edge of the Heath - building works atm, but that should be over within a year or so.

Don't be bamboozled by the difference in headline league-table results, as the schools have very different intakes (and as pp points out, Camden has an element of covert selection via the music places and via people gaming the system by means of creative address management.

I would say Parli parents are the ones who are too chilled for that kind of carry-on, and I know several families who have chosen Parli over CSG, including ones who have an older dd at Camden, make of that what you will. Parli has vg pastoral care, fabulously enthusiastic teachers and a good mix of kids - it's like CSG minus the hype, and with more green space.

But obviously other people think Camden is the answer to their prayers and the only state school they could possibly consider, so...

Really the only answer is to go to the various open events and see what you think - the three schools are very different from one another both in terms of physical space and in terms of pupils and atmosphere, so you should get a gut feel as to what you prefer.

wineoclockthanks · 14/06/2018 19:55

This is my old school and I opened the thread in great excitement to be able to tell you all about it.

I then realised that I left school in 1986 and so am reversing slowly out of the room Smile

Yay4may · 15/06/2018 14:22

Thank so very much this is exactly what I was looking for. Will of course do the actual research/visits but wanted some chat as well:.).

We are indeed in the catchment for Parli as well. Interesting about the boys at CSG in 16+ that actually sounds appealing. I can't get my head around the building at Ackland Burghley, it's so imposing and grim.

I know it seems daft that I did not know about the catchment but I had just assumed it was 'tighter' than it was...bc of the hype!

OP posts:
Farewelltoarms · 24/06/2018 10:47

Does anyone know what's happening with the head at Camden? I'd heard she had resigned but she's still there.

CrackingEggs · 25/06/2018 15:48

I'm sure she said she'd resigned even I went to last October open day. Odd. We are potentially in catchment so I need to keep an ear to the ground, but would probably prefer AB, then PHS.

SevDem · 02/10/2020 00:09

AgonyBeetle I think anyone whose got their child in CSG has definitely won the lottery! It’s by far more successful than the other two you keep praising, one would think you’ve got three children in all three schools and to be honest you actually don’t have a clue! I’ve never seen such lovely teachers and supportive staff! The school was immaculate and the music department is the best! Parents are also involved in supporting its students, and the school is buzzing with happy students throughout

SevDem · 30/11/2020 17:38

@Farewelltoarms Hi, just came across your post. Just wondering how you know that the head teacher is leaving because she hasn’t so far? Thanks

Camdenish · 01/12/2020 10:48

@SevDem

A few years ago the head definitely said she was leaving. I was 100 % certain she’d said this at an open event. Other Mumsnetters must have been there and heard too. I think it was in CNJ?
I asked Head about it last year. Was told that had never happened.

SevDem · 01/12/2020 10:55

@Camdenish Thankyou very much

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