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Original poster

SW catholic secondaries - lost

12 replies

Pauk · 07/09/2020 22:54

Never posted before, not originally from here so totally lost. Applying this term, no open days due to COVID really didn’t help!
Any opinions or advice please:
St Philomena’s - especially interested in feedback
Ursuline
Holy Cross
( ruled out sacred heart and La retraite)
What else ?
Desperate for input
Any non catholic secondaries too if you can recommend

OP posts:
AveEldon · 08/09/2020 07:11

Where are you located?
Why have you ruled out Sacred Heart and La Retraite?

What are you looking for in a school?

Pumpkinroo · 08/09/2020 07:28

You need to go on each schools website and look at their admissions criteria.

Where do you live? You are unlikely to be near enough to all those schools to get in.

If you are not Catholic then you are unlikely to get into Ursuline, and Holy Cross will be a gamble. And certainly for the last 2 years you need weekly mass attendance for a certain chance at Ursuline.

Look at the admissions criteria and think honestly for yourself where you fit in. Do you have weekly mass attendance or not? Is your DD a baptised Catholic? How far do you live from the school? No one on the Internet can do this for you.
Once you know which critieria you fit in, you could call the school admissions office they can tell you the last criteria to have been offered in recent years.

Some have virtual open days, so you can get an idea of the school. But you need to work out which ones are realistic, otherwise you will waste your time and possibly a place on your admissions form, on a school you have no chance of getting into.

Original poster
Pauk · 08/09/2020 09:22

I said I was lost but not they lost ;)
Yes, catholic and fulfil mass attendance.
My issue is not having information/recommendations about which schools are good.
My main concern is transport, don’t want to put my dd through a rushhour commute like a little adult going to work. Sacred Heart is too inner city and not easy to get to.
Live in battersea

OP posts:
ChristopherTracy · 09/09/2020 13:59

It really depends which bit of Battersea you like in - if you are close enough to CJ for ten mins of walking then St Phils is an option (still in rush hour mind but at least going the wrong way) if you arent then it will become more difficult.

St Phil's is clearly a good school but I would think it was a massive pita for any parents evening, school plays, sports fixtures, orchestra etc

IrishMumInLondon2020 · 09/09/2020 14:44

Given your location why wouldn’t you go for La Retraite? Seems like a lovely school.

My own DD has just started at HC and we are very happy so far. We really loved it when we visited. Ursuline was also an option for us but we thought it was too big and my DD wasn’t keen. That said I know many people who are very happy with it.

We also looked at St Phil’s and while we did love it it was a little too far for us.

Asiatarta · 02/10/2020 12:38

@IrishMumInLondon2020

Given your location why wouldn’t you go for La Retraite? Seems like a lovely school.

My own DD has just started at HC and we are very happy so far. We really loved it when we visited. Ursuline was also an option for us but we thought it was too big and my DD wasn’t keen. That said I know many people who are very happy with it.

We also looked at St Phil’s and while we did love it it was a little too far for us.

thank you for this info - I'm currently trying to decide which order to place Uruline, HC and St Phils in. We live closest to UHS and then st phils and HC are of equal distance. Did your DD start HC knowing anyone? has she made new friends? Any help would be really appreciated! Thanks.
IrishMumInLondon2020 · 02/10/2020 13:07

Assume you are a regular attendee at mass? If so you should be in a strong position to get your first choice, which is why it is so important to choose wisely. DD actually had three others from her class go to HC as well though she has branched our and quickly made new friends. So far so good. It is early days but she is happy.

Seeline · 02/10/2020 13:19

Coloma in Shirley, Croydon? Bus from East Croydon Station.

JoJoSM2 · 02/10/2020 13:25

St Phil’s is fairly local to me and lovely. Very strong academically, beautiful, large grounds and buildings, close to the station etc. The only downside I can think of is the ugly uniform.

Asiatarta · 02/10/2020 16:47

Yes, weekly attendance so there isnt't an issue there. Like you said, thats why it's important to get the order right! I'm so torn...

Asiatarta · 02/10/2020 16:48

I know what you mean, but my daughter actually likes St Phils uniform :D

KirstyHasLeft · 04/10/2020 21:15

St John Bosco college is in Battersea. My son is in Y7 and he is loving it!
We chose the school as it had a really good vibe and, so far, my son is very very happy.

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