Bucks Girls Grammar

[Mumto2two]

Have posted elsewhere in Education, but hopefully more traffic on the Secondary threads! Trying to weigh up our GS options, and would like to know if there was one girls GS in Bucks that would be coveted, what in your opinion would it be?
Specifically Beaconsfield, Wycombe and Challoners. Have seen all three, and Challoners seemed more traditional and organised, but perhaps less of an energetic vibe? Also Wycombe seems to have concerns over management and staff turnover, not sure if that is still true. Daughter is not drama or dance orientated, and lacks a little confidence sometimes...so pastoral care and strong academics, particularly for maths/science, would be important. Any feedback much appreciated!

Thanks ittakes, that’s the scenario I often envisage with all the grammars, so it’s worrying to hear it can sometimes be true. We’ve had some positive feedback on all three, but also a lot of negatives!
Challoners has been most recommended, and would be my choice, but our daughter feels Beaconsfield had a more laid back feel and might have more of a fun factor, and she doesn’t want a school that is all about the academics. She also likes the fact it has a medsoc club and coding, and even though she doesn’t dance, would at least like to give it a try.
Also like the fact that BH is near the town; Costa with friends in older years would be an option perhaps?!
I also agree Wycombe A levels seem to be struggling compared to the others, and Challoners seem to be the best for this, which is another reason we liked it. Quite a few girls seem to leave BH for A level too, and continuity would be nice. Of course that’s s long way off at this point, and a lot could change in that time.
Thanks everyone.

I wouldn’t read too much into girls not staying on in the sixth form. Many decide they want a co-Ed environment at 16 and move for that reason alone, or they want to take a subject that is not offered there. It’s common across pretty much all girls schools, both state and independent.

Independent parents tutor too! You are really not going to avoid that! I tend to think bright DC do well at Grammars or independent. I am beginning to think you cannot get what you want from a state grammar. They never have inspired in the the way you want! AHS used to have 33/34 in classes. Parents win appeals to get in. So the class sizes get pushed up. It really isn’t the schools fault.

My DDs decided where they wanted to go. You said WH wasn’t catchment to ignore it. If your DD likes BH then try for that one. I cannot see why dance is an issue. Your DD should try anything and everything.

You must understand that not all grammar DC are bright. Some will struggle.

Thanks Zodle & Bubbles.... you are right, we are probably not going to get what we want from a state grammar, and our daughter certainly feels that too. Wycombe would have been doable on distance, but given we have more familiarity with BH and Challoners has been firmly rejected by our daughter's 'happy vibe' test, it seems BH has to be the obvious choice.
We now need to work out whether the value added for private options, is really worth it in terms of what we want, now that will be another dilemma! There have been quite a few girls who have left grammar after a short time from joining, which makes it seem quite a risky decision. One girl turned down a scholarship to join BH, only to leave after one term..