Picking between Godolphin and Latymer &. Latymer Upper

[NewLondonMom1]

Mums,

My DD has an offer from G&L and LU (and a few others which we declined) and we are struggling to decide between the two. The two schools seem similar academically, but different otherwise. My DD says she doesn't really care about co-ed vs. all girls - its all the same to her. She goes to a co-ed prep right now.

We like that Latymer has a swimming pool and DD likes to do swim squad and that drama is big as DD is enjoying drama at prep right now. However she isn't always the loudest in the class or the one with the main role in her year play. She enjoys sports, likes maths (is among the top children in her school in maths, but hasn't done any primary maths challenges/ kangaroo etc - I don't even know what those are), is quiet in class, but fearless and does whatever she thinks is right. Given that she is not the hand raiser in class, we worry that she might get lost at Latymer amongst the super bright, super academic or super sporty kids. She is just your average, smart, kind but naughty, fierce but quiet in school, child. Not strikingly strong in any particular subject (except maths, but even there she has never been pitted against the brightest minds).

Godolphin seems nurturing and gentle. It seems like an easier choice given there's no boys to worry about. I also don't hear the 'you have to be brilliant to be successful here' about Godolphin. They seem sporty enough, with the only disadvantage being that they don't have a swimming pool and don't do squad practices at school. So my daughter might end up dropping swimming. Again she's not brilliant at it, but is quite good at certain strokes and enjoys her squad practices.

We would love to hear from those of you that have children at both schools. If you have a child who swam in primary school, we would love to hear how they transitioned to either of these schools. Any guidance on the choice in general would be appreciated.

@SA3rules we did move at sixth form to a state school where we also sent our younger DCs. Can’t easily compare the schools as resources and student body so different but for us it’s been a much more positive and comfortable experience. LUS was the wrong school for our child, had they been a star at something it would have been different but as a quiet all rounder they sunk without trace. Since they have moved they have realised that they are actually bright & talented and they can shine too.

I'm glad your child and family is happier. No school can suit everyone. We have had the opposite experience- DS thought he was rubbish at everything at Primary school but has managed to find lots of things he enjoys and a couple that he is actually quite good at so it's all worked well for us. I think it's as much luck as anything - it's hard to know how things will turn out.

And again, I think it comes down to gut feel. When we looked around LU I really liked it and could see DS there. I also really liked the girl showing us around. I looked round G&L and vowed not to send DD there- but that was based, probably totally unfairly, on the other parents at the open day and the sixth former showing us around who was flirting outrageously with a teacher!
I have a niece there who is very happy but there do seem to be lots of lavish parties etc in y7/8 and lots of Uber wealthy kids. There are wealthy parents at LU as well but seems more under the radar. But that's just our experience.

Our daughter attends g&l and am happy to answer any question on the school. We were in the exact same position a year ago. Our DD had her heart set on LU and my husband was taken back by all the stories there so we went with GL. Our DD doesn t regret our choices. She has found a really nice bunch of friends. Pastoral care is really outstanding and no meanness or clique is tolerated. There is a real focus on making sure the girls are not feeling pressured and there is a place for everyone to shine whether it is through your house, sports, academic, drama music or clubs.

Hi I’m in the same situation of having to choose between LU and GL. I find LU very progressive and has a student population which seems more representative of London. I have been impressed by the decision by Lu to move to less rote learning and more towards experiential learning. But GL seems to have better leaver results for foreign universities and is a more intimate school. Any thoughts?

I've been answering some questions on here as an LU parent, your instincts on the school are correct in terms of representation. Only you can decide if you want a bigger or smaller school for your dd, I've posted before that I think size is actually an advantae in terms of giving your children a wider choice of potential friends in the year. The children are taught in small groups and have small tutor groups. I can't compare foreign leaver destinations - both schools have an excellent range afaik of destinations and more and more students are choosing to study abroad each year, but I wouldn't read much into it, your child will be well enough taught at either school to fulfil their potential. Good luck with your decision.