Grammar school alternatives in Sutton for DD

[Zeebas]

Really need to think of Plan B if she doesn’t get a place at Wallington Girls / Nonsuch. Would prefer a girls school but not keen on Carshalton Girls and St Phil’s is difficult if not Catholic.

How about Greenshaw? They have some places specially for those who passed the SET but didn't get a high enough score for one of the grammars. Or Glenthorne?

Thank you. Has anyone got children at the above schools? Glenthorne and Greenshaw? Would love to hear your thoughts on how they serve academically as well as on the well-being front.

Glenthorne would be my alternative, very good academically and pastorally. But the banding makes it tricky - easy if you are in the top bands and have just missed out on 11+ as I dont think they filled that band recently but tricky if you are in the middle.

Other Plan B? Sutton High. In all seriousness I would go Glenthorne>Greenshaw>Harris but we dont know where you live, what your other considerations might be in terms of sport/science/ethnicity etc.

My Son went to Glenthorne (at uni now) and his older brother went to Sutton Grammar. I thought Glenthorne was very good. It was strict but fair. Good pastoral support. Plenty of academic support at all levels and encouragement to achieve your best including e.g. visits to Cambridge to inspire , visits from local businesses, extra revision classes.
Good Luck

@ChristopherTracy @Chjdwe are in Wallington and Glenthorne is a consideration but I’m not sure if we are too far out. I watched the programme last week that Glenthorne featured in about being a school who tried to stamp out racism which was interesting but then read it was very scripted and that the school has had issues in the senior years about it which was worrying. I mean it’s great that they are addressing it as that’s certainly a factor that would affect my choice.

DD is academically bright and works hard but very shy and hasn’t had a great deal of luck with being part of a solid friendship group at primary so I worry about secondary school.

I thought a girls school might be better as I assumed mixed schools can be quite stereotypical with which subjects they push for certain genders but happy to be challenged on that and convinced otherwise!

The kids on the Glenthorne programme were lovely

Remember that the other thing about Glenthorne is that it has a certain number of places ringfenced for DC in Worcester Park. Also, while it's a Sutton school, it is close to the Merton (Morden) border, so many nearby eligible pupils are from there.

I have a DS who has just been through the application process for Sutton schools and a DD who will do so next year.

Glenthorne is the most popular backup for the grammars around us, with the best reputation academically and pastorally.

They do also have 24 places for children who achieve the highest scores in performing arts aptitude tests, regardless of catchment: music, drama or dance.

On your subject stereotyping point, anecdotally, we had a girl from Glenthorne doing work experience a couple of years ago. She was doing A-levels in Physics, Chemistry, Maths, and Further Maths. She said she'd never had much of an interest in science until secondary school but the teachers were so inspiring. She also played the drums.

This might help with the general academic comparison:

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/find-a-school-in-england

Good luck

@Russiandolleyes thank you that is really helpful and puts it in context for me.

lbos.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b943f2cedac34bb5a0959d4b3d9625d6

Have a look at the school distance checker. Wallington tends to be a bit of black hole so you might not have many options. On the plus side, the only poor school has been Stanley Park but it’s got a new head and seems to be improving. So it should be ok whichever school you’re offered.