Wycombe Abbey, Downe House or Westminster?

[Learnforlife]

Hi everyone!

I do not know which to choose from? Any good advice?

Thanks!

There is no one school that is right for every girl it is tricky to find the best fit for each individual girl. Additionally the right school at 13 is not necessarily the right school at 16. Strengths change and develop.

Lots of girls try for all three WA, DH and CLC and all meet up with each other at the open days, assessments etc. They are very different schools, though. CLC very much in the town. WA described itself to us as "Narnia", in that the town doesn't really know what's behind the walls. DH is absolutely in the middle of nowhere.
Academically WA is the hardest to get into, then CLC and then DH.
WA also seems to have a lot of girls from London, and I was concerned about it emptying out at weekends, which is fine if you are from London or are happy for something more akin to weekly boarding. CLC has a London contingent, but equally country and the impression I got of DH was that it was much more country. Obviously all the schools have girls from all over the world.
They are all excellent schools and I echo a previous poster who said get your DD into a good prep school. Once it is possible again, I would recommend visiting the schools, both with your DD and without as it's easier to ask the annoying questions without DD. And remember, if you are looking for 13+ entry you will be trying to pick a good fit for teenage/young adult DD rather than child DD. All of the schools will want to see academic achievement and a variety of extra-curricular interests, boarding schools like them to be busy.

Bright and eager to learn, yes.

In my day IQ tests were fashionable and the average score was 120 - high, but by no means out of the ordinary. Long been discredited but it will give you an idea.

I fully agree with the above poster.
I know from first hand experience that these schools (WA is the one I am familiar with) are not remotely as selective as most London independent day schools (and I am not just talking about the big names). They have a huge inflow of very hard working girls at 13+ or 6th form that will boost their results and propel them at the top of the league tables which creates a "hype" and the total misperception that you have to be a genius to be accepted there. This is not the case at all - certainly at the 11+ stage.
Don't get me wrong it's a very good school but I would not get blinded by the results and do a bit more due diligence to understand how they get the results and if it's the right environment for your DD.

Thanks trike20...I guess.

@Lonecatwithkitten @Oceane11Plus @SpikeStoker

I see. Thanks for your help!

I guess it depends what you want. I went a long time ago to DH. Had a great time. Nice house system, sports, drama. Definitely don’t need to be a genius, but a good number went to oxbridge. Don’t really know what things are like more recently but I think headmistress is the same.