SPGS vs CLSG

[Moni5]

Hello All. There was a thread long time ago on this, but wanted to start a fresh one as some years passed since that one was live.
We are in the position to chose between these 2 schools, and we don't know what to do. Is there much difference academically between the two if it is for our DD to go on to the top Universities in the UK or US? Also, we live quite far from SPGS (1 hr and 10 min) but closer to the CLSG (40 min) - both by trains. Is traveling a very important factor to consider? Please provide some advice. Thank you much.

Hmmm I'm not so sure. SPGS is truly unique and there is room there for many different types. They don't have rankings or real streaming. Girls don't even get graded for the first 3/4 years or have formal exams. Their exams are more practice for exam taking rather than anything else. In year 8, there 3 different maths groups, but it's not a big deal and everyone ends up doing well regardless.

Interestingly, I’ve come across a number of SPGS graduates in my professional career and in personal life. Some girls do stand out but many are just ordinary characters without any drive or ambition and fewer still appear entitled just due to the fact that they went to SPGS, having achieved nothing in life whatsoever. Most parents clearly drink the SPGS kool-aid (as seen on this forum) and proclaim how unique the school is, but let’s be realistic - life doesn’t stop at 11+ exams and there are many challenges ahead that girls will need to deal with to become successful individuals. SPGS sets them up well, but so do many of the top schools in London, incl. City.

I would say the schools have slightly different ethoses. Massively oversimplifying, but CLSG skews more North/East London - www.clsg.org.uk/attachments/download.asp?file=599&type=pdf and its ethos reflects that, and SPGS is more South/West London. So City is more Islington and Highgate and SPGS more Chelsea and Putney (although obviously many travel from all over to both schools).

Itinerant42 that’s so interesting- what would you say is a north east ethos compared to a south west one?

Second a lot of the points here about SPGS. I know girls there now who are very happy, but also some who have left and didn’t fare so well. Sensitive characters may feel inadequate in such a robust ‘best’ environment

Travel time is very important. In terms of academic progress a bright motivated child will do well at either. Mental health and eating disorders are a particular risk for this group of girls so i would personally be looking at pastoral care and ethos when choosing between 2 such schools.

Helpmum2003,
That is a very good point you made. Pastoral care is very important.

Oddly the two girls DD knew best, who were unhappy at SPGS, were both very very bright, almost certainly close to the top of their year group. They both transferred to (different) co-Ed’s where they seemed much happier, and did very well.

A lot is about fit. Thinking about it perhaps bright girls do competitiveness differently than bright boys - which may explain the slightly lower results that boys schools and co-Ed’s get. And for some girls a slightly more laid back approach suits better.

Obviously each child is different, and those who love SPGS seem to really love it. What does your daughter think. She, after all, is the one who will be making the journey and attending the school. From a parental perspective there is advantage in factoring in their views. 10/11 year olds often get strong vibes from different schools, and absence of where they will fit.

@Moni5 I have pm’d you.

Hi Moni5

Please would you be so kind enough to give me so feedback or advice on what kind of questions your daughter was asked in the SPGS interview as my daughter has an interview there soon. Thanks 🙏🏼

@wondergirls this year’s interview will be completely different from past years. Previously candidates were called on the basis of their performance in a day of written assessments. Consequently ours was very light touch, about interests, general questions etc. As your daughter won’t have sat a written exam I would imagine you should expect a more academic and longer interview but really only the school can tell you what will be in it because this year really will be different from any other. Good luck.

Abricotine thank you so much. Yes I know that this year will be somewhat different but I really wanted to know (this is my first 11+ ever) the type of questions that can be asked at 11+ interviews, obviously apart from the academic ones).