Which Devon grammar for DD?

[Tabbyabby]

Help! Trying to decide by the weekend which of the South Devon Grammars to go for but we currently live in the West Midlands - very last minute as DH only got new job at the end of August.
We are relocating to the Exeter area for DH's job and DD, currently yr6, has passed the 11+ with eligible scores for both Colyton and Torquay Girls.
We have visited both schools, but have only seen each one for about an hour and cannot revisit as this week is Devon half term.
It would be really helpful to hear how girls , particularly, fare at Colyton - we weren't able to speak to any pupils when we were there - and what the extra-curricular offer is like there. DD is academic, esp languages and sciences and loves reading, but also loves the outdoors, climbing trees, swimming and singing.

Wonder also about the pastoral side?
Re Torquay Girls - most comments on MN very positive and seemed a happy school but noticed skirts turned over at waistband, immaculate hair and make up etc ( though didn't meet many girls) and wonder if there is much pressure to conform or bullying or whether all types of girl are included and supported by their peers as well as staff?
And any other advice/comments welcome! It's very difficult making the choice from a long distance without any prior knowledge of the schools.
Thanks in advance!

That seems the right side of Devon for many. We regularly travel to London/ Surrey area(31/2 hours on A303)Bristol and Bath with ease. Take other factors into consideration but travelling up country is really not an issue.

Hi Op they do have a theatre club at Colyton and put on plays, we have been to a couple, they are very good. They don't dress up for World Book day, but they have a wear a specific colour for certain charities with their uniform a couple of times a year. They have non uniform days every term pretty much.

They also enter into stem competitions each year, 4 teams from Colyton went to the London Science museum and one team won a trophy for the school. There were only 10 teams nationally and 4 were from Colyton.

They have also just got into the finals in Singapore for the F1 in schools competition!

They always compete with the local schools in sports and generally win a few of the competitions.

Tinty I'm just wondering where you get the no make up thing at Colyton from!!!! (as in, there's make up galore - very normal amounts of make up. Indeed the school hasn't yet returned any of my DDs home for contravention of make up rules and I suspect some would have kicked up quite a fuss if they hadn't been/ weren't allowed make up. They're also allowed freedom with all sorts of other aspects of appearance such as hairstyles etc. Very sensible too).

There are both productions led by the Drama dept and productions led by students. My DC have been in several.

I travel a lot outside the area and wouldn't choose a village for the few minutes it takes to get from the immediate Colyton area to the main arteries out (M5/ A303). That seems a topsy turvy way to choose a home unless you commute daily - but maybe I think differently from others on that.

Sidmouth is the only other place in the area I'd choose to live apart from where I live now (which is even prettier :)).

Good luck with your choice OP, if you haven't put in the form already. Agree with Malbecfan about single sex education. I'd possibly be ok with it for my boys but absolutely not for my girls.

goodbyestranger I am just going by the school uniform regulations and the fact that my DD and none of her friends wear make up. They don't at weekends either though.

I had a few friends go to Colyton and all enjoyed it and have gone on to great successes too. The friends I had at Maynard's all found the single sex aspect to be an issue as there were no boys to break up the hormonal bitchiness that can come with a huge group of girls together daily. The mixed schools definitely had better friendship groups.

Where ever you look to live, avoid Sidbury. A friend's parents house there has flooded multiple times in recent years causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and they can no longer get any decent insurance due to this. Most villages in East Devon are around rivers, check the flood risk before buying anything.

Tinty all I can say is that almost all of all of my DCs' friends and each of my four DDs have worn (or wear) make up. Not masses, but certainly some - mascara, eye liner etc. I'd be irritated by a no make rule which was enforced. Excessive make up probably doesn't have a place but for a lot of people it boosts confidence, especially in the later teenage years. Good luck to a zero policy on make up - it would be appropriate for it to apply to all members of staff too :)

Thank you!
Tinty and Goodbyestranger, my DD delighted to hear of the drama productions. And of course the non-uniform days and charity fundraising. She loved the idea of excellent STEM competitions too - it's all about a mix of arts and science with her at the moment.
Barry the Kestrel - yes, thank you, flooding is going onto our list of "must not haves" in looking for somewhere to live. It's clearly a key factor in choosing a location in East Devon.

Thank you, also, everyone who has commented on the positives and negatives of all-girls education. I went to a mixed comp and DH went to all-boys so unfamiliar territory for us and it has been really helpful to hear comments from both sides of the debate.

If I had free choice I'd go for Colyton and move to East Devon.

There are lots of young people at Colyton from Exeter with good buses. Villages/suburbs to the east of Exeter offer good access to the m5/a30 and the Waterloo train line ie Cranbrook, Whimple, Pinhoe, FENITON and all are easy reach of Exeter via public transport for teen activities and outings.