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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

LU vs G&L vs NLCS

16 replies

japji · 15/03/2021 16:51

Dear forum,

My daughter has got offers from LU, G&L and NLCS and I am confused which to choose.

I am based in Ealing. The coach from NLCS comes to Ealing so its commutable. G&L is also easy commute and so is LU. But G&L and LU will take lesser time - I think around 35 mins or so from door to door while NLCS will be around 40 to 50 mins, one way.

With LU, I am getting some bursary so its becomes appealing financially but if the other schools are better, I am ready to stretch.

Would be great if you can share your thoughts and experience as it will help me make a decision

OP posts:

Skatingpark97 · 15/03/2021 16:59

Which Year group? Have you paid the deposit for all 3?
I would take the bursary and save the money.

Utility · 15/03/2021 17:35

I, too, am rather confused as 'offer acceptance' day has long passed.

nylon14 · 15/03/2021 18:08

Have you already accepted all three schools? The schools are all fairly different, coed vs single sex, IB vs just A levels, North London campus vs West London. Which school do you like and your DD? Just look at the league table and go with the one you think it's the most academic since that seems to be what your question really is and do it quickly, as there are many girls that have those schools as their first choices and are on the WL.

Original poster

japji · 15/03/2021 21:23

thank you all. DD likes G&L and it seems it is also academically best among three. Trying to come to conclusion asap...

OP posts:

hongkong007 · 15/03/2021 21:27

They're pretty much on a par academically- more important surely is if the fees will be a struggle without a bursary? and the co-ed v single sex.
Is this for 6th form?

Original poster

japji · 15/03/2021 22:19

@hongkong007

They're pretty much on a par academically- more important surely is if the fees will be a struggle without a bursary? and the co-ed v single sex. Is this for 6th form?

Thank you. Its for 11+

OP posts:

Skatingpark97 · 16/03/2021 06:36

OP, I would make your decision today to avoid any situation of paying Autumn term fees at 2 other schools and to allow the waiting lists at 2 other schools to move. To hold on to a LU bursary place for this long (1 month) and not take it (apart from paying the deposit) seems very ungenerous to all those still waiting to hear.

blowonitthen · 16/03/2021 06:59

It sounds like it's between G&L (as your daughter's preference) and LU (with a bursary), so please do release your third offer first thing this morning as that place could have a knock-on effect for several children.

I think you need to talk to your daughter about her preference and decide whether her feelings on it are strong enough to ignore the bursary. If she's actively choosing the single-sex option for that reason, for example, that's valid; not so much if it's the uniform.

FoxesAreFabulous · 17/03/2021 13:57

OP, these are 3 excellent schools so you can't really make a bad choice. Does your DD prefer the idea of girls only or co-ed? Why do a longer commute to NLCS unless it is your absolute favourite? I do agree with other posters though, you really shouldn't still be holding on to 3 places, especially a bursary place, a fortnight after the acceptance deadlines. This actually makes me really cross as there will be parents on waiting lists for all of those schools (and I know some of them), desperately hoping for a place, and it seems very inconsiderate to be blocking 2 places that your DD won't be taking up, so I would urge you to make a decision quickly and release the other places. I'm also slightly surprised that you can afford to pay 3 deposits - do you not risk losing quite a lot of money if you pull out, I know some schools charge half a term's fees as a deposit?

firefly123 · 17/03/2021 15:26

I would go with LUS if you are getting a bursary there and not a far comute for your daughter from Ealing to Hammersmith.

Faithmum02 · 17/03/2021 18:09

Didnt you need to confirm by the 3rd @japji

ForeverbyJudyBlume · 18/03/2021 12:24

Take the bursary it's a no brainer

firefly123 · 18/03/2021 15:33

Didn't know you could hold on to three places like that? Did you make up your mind in the end OP? Hopefully you have released the other two places.. Can't imagine schools would be too impressed with that

blink123 · 22/03/2021 00:46

Congratulations, sounds like a great choice to have! Would you mind sharing which schools in Ealing / the surrounding area are likely to feed their top performers to these schools? (Curious about both state primaries and independent as we are considering moving to the area with a 3 yr old daughter)

sotiredtoday · 22/03/2021 09:38

It doesn't work like that @blink123, there are not really feeder schools. Some primaries close to a secondary will send a number there but numbers depends on the year group, there is no fast track provided by some prep/primaries. Good luck with your school choice

coffeenutlatte · 12/11/2022 21:18

Hi Japji
What was your decision in the end? Interested to hear as we are based in Ealing and are considering the same set of schools.

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