Putney High School vs Wimbledon High School

[agreatday]

Hi All,

We are going to move in to London later this year and my elder daughter just got an offer from both schools.

We plan to rent a place near the train station either in Putney or Wimbledon so that it would be easier for my husband to commute to work in Chelsea. As we are not very familiar with these places, not sure if they are considered good and safe areas for family.

Also we have a younger girl that we plan to send her to the state primary school but we don't have any religion. Not sure whether Putney or Wimbledon near the train station would be considered a good catchment area.

Based on the above, appreciate if I could have your view on which school we should choose for our elder daughter.

Thank you all in advance!

Putney and Wimbledon both pretty safe areas and both have good state primary schools. Unless you're going for a reception place for your daughter, the faith aspect doesn't matter very much. Places come up fairly regularly as there is a lot of movement. However, with all thats going on at the moment, more people may choose state schools over private going forward...
Have you visited both schools? Very similar on paper but can seem quite different when visiting? Usually comes down to gut feel. Both good schools so you can't really go wrong! Are you looking at the Junior or Senior school?
Putney has the advantage of the tube to Chelsea and the bus and is nearer the river etc. But high street a bit rubbish at the moment. Wimbledon a much bigger place.

Hi over11plus, Thank you so much for your valuable advice which is very helpful indeed!

The amazing WH head has just announced she is leaving for Alleyn's. Just something to keep in mind before deciding as I don't think they have yet found a replacement as yet. I personally love the PH head. She is phenomenal. Also - both schools have large building works but the WH seem to be going on for a lot longer (expected to finish for September 2022) and have caused a lot of disruption as there is definitely less space at WH and the building project is right in the middle of the school. The PH works should be finished by December 2020 and seem to be pretty contained in one small area of the school. Otherwise both schools are in my opinion amazing and very similar (i have direct experience of both). Lovely GDST ethos and lots of fabulous opportunities ! But I would say the sports at PH is pretty amazing and much stronger (WH play hockey and PH play Lacrosse)

The deputy head at WHS will be the new head- very highly regarded.
Sport is much stronger at WHS than it used to be - the regularly win all sorts of things.
Am slightly biased as am a WHS parent but both great schools- our decision was totally gut feel.

Both are great schools so it comes down to area, probably. Senior Deputy Head currently at WHS is going to take over Headship in September. She is also brilliant!
Wimbledon has a tram service , a tube service (District Line) and an overground train service all from the same 'station'. In Putney, the Overland is at one end of the high street and the tube station (Putney Bridge) is at the other, although there is also East Putney tube which is in a more residential area. Busses link Wimbledon to Putney High St (and the no 93 runs right past both schools).
Both Putney and Wimbledon have some extremely nice/leafy areas but I'd say Putney is less 'suburban' in feel in many parts. Both very safe and desirable parts of London in which to live.
I'd hazard a guess that commuting to Chelsea might be slightly easier from Putney but Putney High St and bridge have NIGHTMARISH traffic.
Both schools on an urban site and WHS playing fields at Nursery Rd are a 10 min stroll away. Not sure where Putney fields are.
Your daughter is likely going to be happy/do well at either. Best to think about where the family would most like to live, really...

Lots of girls who live in Putney go to WHS and lots who live in Wimbledon go to PHS so you could just choose which school you prefer and which place you prefer!

veryverybored that's very, very true

Hello, could anyone provide comparison between the two in terms of Music, Art and Drama please? and also in terms of ethnicity/diversity. is one more international than the other perhaps ? many thanks

I’m not sure there’s much difference between them in music, drama etc. Both will have all the usual choirs, orchestras, plays etc. Both have theatres- Putney’s probably slightly more impressive.
In terms of diversity also pretty similar -fairly ethnically diverse but not particularly economically diverse- mostly families will be paying full fees. PHS possibly a bit more ‘international’ as they will have more pupils from central London whereas WHS is more SW London. But lots of girls with parents from other countries at both.

Hi @montlieu ,
I can only speak about WHS and my daughter has only just joined this September.. but her year seems to be very international and ethnically also quite diverse (from the names on the year list and from the friends she made, nb. we're French) .
Cannot help on your other point, but DD had her first music, drama, art etc clubs and really enjoyed them. good luck!

@Bidibidiba thank you so much. It's good to read you !

20 years ago, but I went to WHS and loved it. My best friends are still my school friends and although quite academic, still championed sport and creative subjects. My experience was a while ago though!