Secondary school for DD2 in SW London

[Pigtastic]

Dear all,

We are based in Wimbledon and starting to look at schools for DD2 for 2022 entrance.

She is very bright academically but has a health condition which means she cannot do sports outdoor in the winter and cannot sustain high pressure environments without a degenerative impact on her health.

We are looking for a reasonable commute (40 min or less) and schools with good indoor sport facilities. So far on our radar are WHS (not 100% sure), PHS, Surbiton High, Emanuel, KGS, LU (same as DD1).

Are there other school we should consider, given our requirements?

Harrodian?

Sutton High if Wimbledon far too stressy?

Does KGS actually have an indoor sports hall? I thought their sports facilities were mostly outdoor.

Kgs doesn’t have a big indoor sports hall so may not be ideal.
Can she swim- fab pool at LU and also a pool at WHS.
DD is at WHS and we/ her don’t find it remotely stressful. Have had various pastoral issue and they’ve been great.
Harrodian would be a nightmare public transport wise from Wimbledon.

Thank you all!

@Trickleg we have not been able to see KGS yet, so like @0ldandgrey said it might not be ideal.

She loves swimming and great to hear that your DD doesn’t find WHS stressful.

She has a slight bias towards co-Ed schools but given all our other requirements we are keeping an open mind for single sex schools as well.

@Legoninjago1, I checked Harrodian: wonderful school but a bit too far for her.

Have a look at Claremont - good bus service, excellent pastoral care (I don't have dc there but so I've heard)

@TheExtraGuineaPig where is Claremont? Is it the one in Harrow?

Hi - no it's in Esher - Claremont Fan Court School. Had a reputation as not that academic but definitely changing. I went to see it for DS but he's going elsewhere and I really liked the head. We know a lot of children there who are very happy

Hi.
I know this is not what you are looking for but I have a DD who also is very academic and has some health issues too along with SEN.
She attends Southfields Academy and she is doing very well. The sports are mainly done inside, along with a swimming pool, obviously there are some outdoor only sports but they have gone above and beyond to adapt things for DD.
DD is also very bright and likes to be challenged, school are more than happy to give her work for her level.
Again I see from the school's you have mentioned in the OP that the local Academy isn't what you are looking for, I just thought as someone who has the same needs as DD it is worth exploring.
Wishing your DD all the best in Secondary.

I have seen PHS and I don’t think it has as much indoor sport as the others.
Sports is meant to be good, but a lot is outdoor apart gymnastics. The site is quite cramped already, though well organised.
they play la crosse.

Very best of luck OP - I wish there were as many boys schools within 40 mins of Wimbledon!

Have you looked at SPGS? Depending where you are in Wimbledon it could be 40 mins (if you’re near the coach stop). It’s got a pool, good indoor sports facilities, and have been excellent at adapting for my dd who has an issue that means she needs some adaptations for outdoor sport.

People say it’s high pressure - that’s not been my dd’s experience so far. Some girls are pressured by their parents (but at a selective school I think that’s inevitable), but the school does it’s best to counteract that.