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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

FHRP vs FHSS

23 replies

Windnls · 17/02/2019 23:22

I need some advice here, especially from parents who have DDs at FHSS. Both schools are equal distance from where we live so travel not an issue. DD is very sportive and musical. We visited both schools and liked both. DD told me the interview at SS was fun and she really enjoyed it.

SS did very well in 2018 GCSE, better than RP. Most parents see RP as more down to earth, children are more friendly. Is it true that SS can be quite tough socially? I have heard many good things about RP, but very little about SS.

Any info will be gratefully received.

OP posts:

InTheOffing · 17/02/2019 23:51

We are in the same situation: keen to hear both good and bad points from current parents.

RP is perceived as more academic, but looking at 2018 GCSE results, I wonder if that is actually true anymore?

As you’ll know, RP are doing a school visit for offer holders; hope SS will do one too.

jeanne16 · 18/02/2019 07:04

I have heard a rumour that FHSS is taking additional premises and having a 4 form entry from this September. If that is correct, it may affect your decision.

NWgirls · 18/02/2019 10:24

Sorry, RP-parent rather than SS...

Yes, SS has raced ahead at GCSE and RP at A-level. I have no inside insight into why.

Not having a junior school means that everybody is new at RP. RP also has a larger year group and larger external intake at 11, but is still quite small. SS arguably sub-scale, so property project is probably a good idea (buy I don't know if tje remour is correct).

DD loves her friends and the food at RP. Being next to the park is brilliant, as are the tube connections.

Visit both again on offer days and go with feel!

Original poster

Windnls · 18/02/2019 15:20

If we focus on GCSE results only, SS is in a strong uptrend, the process they have made in the past three years are impressive. Both are indeed good schools.

OP posts:

Original poster

Windnls · 18/02/2019 15:30

@jeanne16 @NWgirls
Thank you for your input. Definitely will take a look again. I know some parents who have DDs at RP, and never heard anything negative. Also it is so convenient to have an indoor pool at RP. My DD is a good swimmer! I was really hoping to have some first hand info from current parents at SS.

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InTheOffing · 18/02/2019 20:44

Yes thank you, really helpful

InTheOffing · 18/02/2019 21:22

NW Girls, could I also ask you where the RP girls tend to live, and how you’d describe them; is there a typical girl? We are in West London, so wondering if most are from North London. Also, is there anything you’d change about RP?

NWgirls · 19/02/2019 01:04

@InTheOffing - there are lots from West London but mostly the quite central post codes rather than far out. Very few from e.g. Ealing.

A variety of personalities obviously - but I suspect that kind introverts are slightly overrepresented, as I believe the school has been known as a safe harbour for tender souls. (My impression - others may disagree)

The most important factor for a school is in my view the people, and in this area I am very happy. My DD has great friends. Teachers are well qualified, seem to do a good job and are (almost all) kind.

Changes? I'd possibly scrap the annual prize giving or make it more informal, but that is a small thing - nothing major comes immediately to mind.

InTheOffing · 19/02/2019 06:50

Thanks @NWGirls for the helpful insights; good to know that RP are living their kindness mission statement. Could I also ask if there is a an arts or sciences bent at all?

Heresmynewname · 19/02/2019 16:16

@Windnls, I'm in a very similar position, comparing FHSS with another school. My DD and I really like what we have seen of FHSS but I have two concerns. The first is that I, too, have heard of a tough social atmosphere and the second is that, although I'm not hugely league-table driven, I'm more than a little puzzled by the huge difference in the school's GCSE and A-level results, which is bigger than at virtually any other nearby school—I keep wondering whether the sixth form teaching is up to scratch? Like you, I'd really appreciate views from current FHSS parents...

jeanne16 · 19/02/2019 17:00

I suspect they lose all their top pupils at the end of GCSEs which would explain a big dip in their A level results. School results are really dependent mainly on how academic their pupils are.

HoneyMamma · 20/02/2019 07:11

I’m also looking at these schools and wondered about their results as neither of them have a breakdown on their websites of GCSE results by subject. Are there any particular subject strengths or weaknesses at either school?

Original poster

Windnls · 20/02/2019 09:54

I agree with @jeanne16 on this one. It makes sense to me if many students move to other top schools after GCSE at SS. When I visited SPGS last year, the registrar told me that they received lots of applications from SS.

OP posts:

Goposie · 20/02/2019 17:42

Am wondering what a pp meant by a “tough social atmosphere” at Fhss. The headmistress is keen to present it as nurturing and it is small. Is it because it’s intake is mainly from wealthy families? Or is there something else? I note they don’t offer a taster day.

InTheOffing · 20/02/2019 20:23

I was going to write to ask FHSS if they would provide another chance to visit the school; I do think they’re missing a trick if they don’t, given that it appears to be the norm.

Goposie · 20/02/2019 23:26

Yes, I wil ask too about an offer day.

Heresmynewname · 21/02/2019 09:03

Sorry I disappeared for a couple of days. @jeanne16 and @Windnls, thanks, that's very interesting. Makes sense, too, as the school is not very big so it stands to reason that girls will outgrow it. @Goposie, I'm the one who posted about rumours of a tough social atmosphere: I was told there is an 'in' crowd that's quite exclusive and a friend of a friend had her daughter there who was apparently routinely left out and eventually decided to leave the school. That said, please bear in mind that it's a second-hand report and might well be Chinese whispers. The impression I got from visiting the school was rather the opposite, based on what the headmistress said. And, yes, I think it would be great if they organised an offer-holder day, would make it easier to compare it with other schools.

Goposie · 21/02/2019 09:07

Thanks for the reply!

NWgirls · 21/02/2019 16:44

@InTheOffing - please see pm with more details regarding your questions. Best of luck to all!

And particular "good luck" to anyone who has a waiting list for these or other schools. Registrars will receive many "no thanks" messages next weelk, so will soon have a clearer view of whether they will go to WL. If you are keen and would definitely accept an offer immediately, you must let them know!

HoneyMamma · 21/02/2019 17:25

@NWgirls would you mind sharing or PMing your answers to those questions InThe Offing was asking? Would also love to know, particularly about the leaning towards arts or sciences or any subject area in particular in which the FH schools have a strength? Thanks so much

NWgirls · 21/02/2019 18:06

@HoneyMamma
Yes, I will do, by pm - but in short, I think both schools are fine for both arts and sciences, especially at GCSE.

Otherwise, A-level results for all schools in England are available in full detail (by subject and grade, and also value added) from compare school performance - just download to Excel.

HoneyMamma · 21/02/2019 19:51

Thank you so much @NWgirls

InTheOffing · 22/02/2019 06:17

Thank you very much, @NWGirls, really helpful

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