Stroud High School or Pate's Grammar?

[ArvidsDaddy]

Both SHS and Pate's seem very good, and our daughter seems to set her mind on SHS as we have been to their Open day, but it is difficult to ignore the excellent recrod of Pate's. Any recommendations would be most appreciated. (She has received offers from Crypt, Denmark Road, & Ribston Hall.)

Pates has got an excellent name. If I were to list them, it would be Pates, Stroud, Crypt, Denmark and Ribston. Which is the closest or easiest to get to??

Well done to your DD. She is likely to do well wherever she goes so I wouldn't get too caught up on school hierarchy. I would focus my decision on location. If your DD enjoys socialising with friends/ after school clubs/ not getting up at the crack of dawn then go for the local option.

You say that your daughter has offers from Crypt, Ribston and Denmark Road. So did she meet the 11plus rankings for Stroud or Pates? Or are you hoping she will have the marks based on how far down the list for these 2 schools she is, and prior year acceptances.? May be better off asking on 11 plus forums, which show last year rankings and success in getting in. This is all completely aside from the fact that SHS is all girls and Pates is mixed, together with the ease of getting to either of them. Yes, Pates has the stellar reputation, but don't ignore just how keen your daughter was on SHS. Being happy at a school far outweighs academic success

Thanks! All very helpful! She has offers from all 5 and is deciding between Pate's and SHS. Her brother goes to Marling (next door to SHS), so what you have said about easy-to-get-to makes sense. We just had an exhausting afternoon viewing houses around Stroud...

No-one has offers yet, just the results

My niece went to Pates for 6th form and the result was not that great. Look at all aspects not just exam results, all schools have strong and weaker students... what about location, sports facilities, music etc.

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Just to close this up, we went to see Pates and Stroud High (again). Both are really great. In the end, we dediced to pick Srought High, partly because it is next to Marling where our son goes, partly because its atmosphere feels more relaxing. We also love the green space there. Thanks again!