Wimbledon High School

[Bidibidiba]

DD received an offer for an occasional place in WHS. She's extremely happy, and but also starting to wobble now that the idea of changing school is sinking in. "what if I do not make good friends? what if the atmosphere is very competitive? etc."
She's currently in the French education system so it will be a big change for her.
My other half had attended an open day and was won over, but DD and I did not even have a chance to visit it with the Covid situation.
Any recent insight on the school , in particular on the atmosphere, would be much appreciated, if you have a DD there? Many thanks!

I’ve heard that it’s quite competitive but I had a look on their Twitter when considering a place for DD and it seems very good.

DD is there and very happy. I don’t think it’s very competitive- certainly her and her friends don’t seem to be. She has had a few girls join in her year since year 7 and they all seem to have settled in well.

Thank you for your replies

Lots of European families and if she has earned a place, she will cope academically. I can't recommend it highly enough. Superb pastoral care, great staff and opportunities. The current building work is a bit of a downer but if your DD has more than 2 years to go in the school, she will get the benefit.
New Head from September is already a respected and well-loved member of staff in the Deputy Head role.
Atmosphere is positive, buzzy, fun but high achieving. Girls valued for being individuals.

I know this may sound like a strange comment...but I don’t know how I feel about the head moving to a coed school. She sold us the school and went on and on about single sex education and then just like that she moves to a coed and after such a short period. Just strikes me as a head that told you “what you wanted to hear” if you know what I mean and now honestly a bit disappointed we didn’t send DD to the same school as other DD (also GDST school) Building works is indeed a major downer!

volpemum. That's a head's job. The head of another co ed school did exactly the same thing - saying single sex was nonsense etc. They all say what they need to.

Mind you, she must have done a great job to make you choose her all girls school over the other GDST you already send your other DD too!

DH also thought the Wim High head was impressive. I didn't think it a right fit for DD. Still, it's a great school, but they're all pretty fantastic in this part of the world.

OP, go for the one you think a best fit in terms of single/co ed, academics, extra curricular, sport etc and location / ease, for both you and your DD.

Thank you very much for these feedbacks @volpemum @schmedz @Dora99

We accepted the place knowing about the building works so we're fine with it. DD will start y8, so will have years to enjoy the finished result of these.
Re. headteacher, yes, I see what you mean volpemum. This was a big question mark for us as we do not know the Deputy Head ...

Other point - Do any of you have, by any chance, experience with the music tuitions? [We're hesitant as they are slightly more expensive than current weekend lessons, and they seem to be taking place during other lessons, which I find inconvenient.] Thanks!

I have a DD who is very happy at WHS. They have been excellent over the past few weeks in particular. The heads all seem to move around on a circuit so not particularly bothered that JL is going to a co-Ed. A few friends with girls there have said it seems a bit ‘uncool’ for the girls to work hard ( don’t know if it’s true- just what they’ve said) so maybe JL sees it as a bit of a challenge!

It has a very good reputation. I looked at it for my daughters sixth form but we decided against it - the open day was not well run for what we needed and it wasn't for us. It is quite competitive - in order for my daughter to get in she would have to have 7s and 8s (A and A*s) for GCSEs according to their prospectus, so they must hold their own students to similar levels of a achievement, but I understand the French system is quite rigorous too.
The main thing is your daughter got in so the school must think she is capable and a good fit. I'm sure she will make many friends and enjoy her time there.

OP- in most secondary schools the music lessons will take place in the school day but they move the times around so that it isn’t the same lesson missed all the time. I know DDs teacher saves the lunchtime and before school slots for the GCSE/ A level students. We had a slight issue that because of various anomalies in the timetable DD was missing the same lesson fairly often and the Director of Music ( who is great) was on it straight away. Can’t comment on all the teachers but in general they seem very good.

The music tuition is very expensive and your DD will be taken out of lessons until Y11-13 when she will have times out of lessons. Peri tutors are all excellent but I would recommend staying with weekend or after school lessons if you’re happy with her teacher/s. Students learning at school receive no preferential treatment in joining ensembles / performances etc... just make sure the music staff know what she plays and she should join all the ensembles she is interested in. The Cadogan Hall concert each Spring and Nine Lessons and Carols at Christmas are STUNNING - lots of other concerts and music competitions/Friday Jammin etc... going on all the time.

That's really helpful thanks!

Catsruletheroost Don’t get me wrong, she did do a good job! And we looked at how long she had been at WH and thought she might be there a bit longer. We have been v happy with both GDST schools but in hindsight the head at the other one might be less of a “sales” person but get more done! It will be interesting to see how the new head gets on. Heads move all the time and I know it’s not the end of the world. Just disappointed she made such a fantastic sales pitch and a few months later left.

volpemum there’s going to be a really smooth transition to the new Head as JL and her have been working together for years already. There’s a truly strong management team in operation and although JL will be missed there is no fear that the consistency of the vision and energy in the school will change.

Nowhere is perfect but I can genuinely say that it has been a fantastic school for both my DDs since Junior School days (and two different heads in that time!).

Volpemum. The head of Alleyns (where JL has gone) has gone to St Paul's (boys) to be the school's first female high master. Maybe JL may follow her one day? A great role model for the girls she once taught - a working mum with a brilliant career (just annoying when you have chosen a school partly based on the leader)!

Interesting she has a twin sister, also a head.

www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/11323039/Double-act-proves-that-two-heads-are-better-than-one.html

@Bidibidiba I have a DD in the year your DD will join in Sept, plus one higher up the school. Do pm me if you have any questions. My older DD has music lessons at school and the younger one has a teacher come to our house. If you have a teacher you are happy with I’d stick to that so she doesn’t have to miss any lessons.

I think the Alleyns head is going to Westminster and the Jags head going to St Paul’s? May be wrong though! It’s like musical chairs!

Yes correct Dr Savage from Alleyn’s moving to Westminster. And Sally Ann Huang to St Paul’s boys (I only know as I have just been through all the open days lately!) So a lot of movement this year. Mrs Huang had only been at Jags 2 years when she announced she was leaving (she announced it at the beginning of this academic year) so not long at all. I guess one of those once in a life time opportunities for her.

Will be interesting / tricky for them all to start as new heads in these strange and unusual times!

Thank you very much @Splendid68, that's very kind, I'll have a thought and PM you if we have questions.

Lots of changes to headships this coming academic year!

Head of Woldingham Alex Hutchinson is moving to become head of Jags, replaced by Dr James Whitehead.

Head of Wimbledon High Jane Lunnon is moving to become head of Alleyn’s, replaced by current senior deputy Fionnuala Kennedy.

Head of JAGS Sally-Anne Huang moving to be head of St Paul’s Boys.

I’m sure there are more...

Hi Bidibidiba,
My DD is currently in year 7 at WHS, and has had a great first year there. She didn’t go to the juniors, but quickly made friends with girls from both juniors and other schools. it does seem to be a very friendly school, which values pastoral care at the same time as being hot on promoting individual responsibility. I can honestly say we have been delighted with WHS; they have been dealing with lockdown brilliantly, with online teaching working well from day 1; we know we have been very lucky. There is also a good emphasis on working towards your own personal targets rather than worrying what marks others have got, which we like. Good luck with your decision

Aw, thank you for your post @MissAligned. That's great to hear. We have accepted the place and are now looking into whether she'll need to catch up on some subjects as the French curriculums are dramatically different.
I hope schools will resume in Sept (It would be tough for her to start a new school remotely).
So she'll probably meet your DD then :)

Hi @Splendid68, @MissAligned, @Schmedz, @volpemum, @Rainydaysss, I hope you are having a lovely summer!
I'm starting to prepare for DD Sept start and looking into the IT devices. Thought it would be straightforward... but it happens to be a more complex choice than anticipated. Would you have, by any chance, any recommendations of brand & model, that your DD is happy with? thank you very much!

My DD has an HP Pavillion touchscreen. We had extra hard drive capacity put in and it has been fantastic. Looks pretty too which was most important to her.

store.hp.com/UKStore/Merch/Product.aspx?id=16Y37EA&opt=ABU&sel=NTB this looks like the most recent version of hers (now 2 years old)