Channing vs. SHHS senior schools

[Rrelaxo]

Hello! Our daughter received two offers this morning for Channing and SHHS. Channing confirmed that their offers are guaranteed this year (not making more offers and running a proper waiting list). Not sure is SHHS place is guaranteed. Our daughter is leaning towards Channing herself, but because she actually visited the school in person whereas SHHS was a virtual tour, so it's tough to compare. Our daughter is bright but not hothouse kind of bright, so given the massive financial commitment, we want to find the right balance. She loves music and drama.

Keen to hear others views. Commute is not a concern - we will be looking to buy somewhere in relative proximity of one or another school. Thanks a lot!

I've posted elsewhere but my dds are at SHHS, having both received offers from Channing. I strongly preferred SHHS - in part because the offer for the older one at Channing exploded! I was worried that SHHS might be too academic for the older one (the younger is more of a powerhouse) but actually if you come in at 11 I think you're guaranteed to be at least in the middle because some of those that come from the Junior school might not have necessarily got in for y7.

It's much gentler than we had expected with a strong emphasis on wellbeing. The head is super sensible which translates into thoughtful policies.

But I'm sure Channing is lovely too and in the end it's all punt as you don't know how your child's adolescence will turn out. And if you're looking to buy somewhere nearby either school, then maybe you have a preferred area (I'd prefer someone nearer SHHS as I like being cycling distance of centre of London, when we're finally allowed back there...)

Your DD has done well for getting a SHHS offer. Congratulations!
We have visited both before. SHHS has certainly the edge. It is newer, more academic, more space, more breadth, more diverse, better transport links ... The decision is down to you though.

Hi
My Daughter has been put on the waiting list at Channing she is bright but has some difficulites to overcome. We didn't expect her to do well in the test it was really a punt just in case. Do you think the waiting list is genuine or for some girls just a kinder refusal?

Pentop20 - yes, they would definitely have a wait list, as I have heard they are not over offering as much.

They do have a waitlist. My niece was on it for about a week last year and then got offered a place.
I would say either school will offer a fantastic education. In my opinion Channing is slightly 'softer' in their approach. The results are basically the same, and if your daughter is bright, she will do well in either of them. The new head seems great as well. I would say much of a muchness, and try pick the one that has an decent commute, and you get a good feel. Well done as both are superb choices

Now it is mentioned, I can’t think of anyone who has got an outright rejection from Channing, I think everyone who doesn’t get a place might be waitlisted. I could be proved wrong. I also know someone who was waitlisted at 11plus and got contacted in year 8 about a place that had come up - also someone from the junior school who didn’t get in at 4plus but then a place came up for year one or two I think - so you can stay on the waitlist a long time and they will get to you eventually!

Sorry forgot to add that I think SHHS usually honour offers - that’s why they had to add an extra class three years ago when Channing and City did exploding offers, leaving SHHS and FHRG as the schools who honoured every offer and both had to add a class.

Thanks MusicalMommy as I feared they just put all girls not offered a place on the wait list and since you dont know where you are on the list its not much use. If anyone knows of applicants that were outright rejected I would love to hear.

thank you all for comments!