Independent Girls' School reachable from Crystal Palace

[Eeve]

Hi all! I'm looking for a great, nurturing school for a very bright, but highly sensitive girl. She hates school, sadly, which I think is a mixture of social anxiety and often finding the work a bit boring. We have Sydenham High on the list, does anyone have any other recommendations?

Croydon High or Old Palace?

Thanks, Lizs! I thought about Croydon High (and Bromley High) but I thought they seemed similar to Sydenham. I will definitely take a closer look.

Streatham & Clapham High? Train from Crystal Palace to Streatham Hill, then a 10 minute walk.

Also, does it absolutely have to be a girls' school? I hear very good things about Royal Russell which is co-ed.

I went to Blackheath High (I'm old, so 20+ years ago now) but it, Sydenham, Croydon, Streatham & Clapham and Bromley Highs are all GDST schools so they will have a similar background ethos.
Saying that, each school will have a different feel, facilities etc so do check them all out. I remember for example loving BHS but finding Sydenham too intense when we looked round - I am absolutely not saying that's what they are like now, but just to show that they aren't all the same school on different sites. (Hopefully that makes sense!)

JAGS? Streatham & Clapham?

I know little about them other than their locations but JAGS is easy to get to from CP.

JAGs is a great school, but nurturing isn't a word I'd use to describe it - although it's reputation is getting better from the pastoral point of view.

I'm in two minds about co-ed! I have a friend about to send her son there this September, so I shall await her feedback keenly!

I've considered SCGS too, and will add it to my list!

Does anyone have experience of Allaynes/ City of London/ St Pauls? I'm guessing they're not going to have so much of the nurturing vibe, either?

Sydenham high is a lovely school - bit too far out for us, but a few friends have very down to earth girls there. It’s smallish too so would be nurturing.

Wouldn't say St Paul’s is particularly nurturing but great school for the right girl. But, I would’t expect any girls to be coming from Crystal Palace way - far more central, west and north London so would be very tricky friendship wise in terms of meeting up at weekend etc.
I doubt many people would consider applying to Sydenham High and St Paul’s. Geographically and ethos both miles apart!

Okay, we've had more of a look and probably going to visit Sydenham High, Bromley High, Croydon High, Streatham & Clapham (DD's current fave), Old Palace of John Whitgif and finally, Royal Russell.

Any one have any opinins on these schools?

Another vote for royal Russell, DD's ex went there, sensitive chap

Not Sydenham high. My SiL went there and judging from her and her friends its was anything but nurturing. The whole group are highly competitive over everything.

Another option if it is easy for your DD to get to East Croydon station might be Woldingham? It's a relatively short hop on the train and school minibuses meet the train at Woldingham station.

@GoldenRuby oh, thank you for the tip! Its only a few minutes on the fast train to E Croydon, so will definitely have a look

Streatham and Clapham are quite nurturing but you do need to be aware that the location can be a problem (sexual perverts hanging around the Common). Its fine if she is always going to leave at normal time but can be a bit of a problem if she is doing extra curricular and heading off to the train on her own.

I had DD at Old Palace and I have to say it was the most non-nurturing school I have come across - to the extent that the teachers bully the pupils and the whole focus is on academic results and pupils achieving top grades. Significant bullying issues were not just ignored but bullied girls accused of making it up if the bully was a teachers' favourite. Having said that there is now a new head who might have a better approach.

@Eeve

I'm in two minds about co-ed! I have a friend about to send her son there this September, so I shall await her feedback keenly!

I've considered SCGS too, and will add it to my list!

Does anyone have experience of Allaynes/ City of London/ St Pauls? I'm guessing they're not going to have so much of the nurturing vibe, either?

On SPGS, I suspect you might be outside their 50 minutes travel zone, unless there’s a route i haven’t thought of. In terms of nurturing, I’ve been pleased with the pastoral care so far, very responsive and with a nice flavour of common sense.

@londonmummy1966

Streatham and Clapham are quite nurturing but you do need to be aware that the location can be a problem (sexual perverts hanging around the Common). Its fine if she is always going to leave at normal time but can be a bit of a problem if she is doing extra curricular and heading off to the train on her own.

I had DD at Old Palace and I have to say it was the most non-nurturing school I have come across - to the extent that the teachers bully the pupils and the whole focus is on academic results and pupils achieving top grades. Significant bullying issues were not just ignored but bullied girls accused of making it up if the bully was a teachers' favourite. Having said that there is now a new head who might have a better approach.

Absolutely disagree with ‘sexual perverts’ hanging around the common. DD regularly goes v early or stays late for various sports training, as do many many girls, and they all tend to head of in their various directions in small groups. Literally never had an issue. This is London, everywhere is as safe as the next place.

On a nurturing side, SCHS is incredible. Cannot fault a single thing.

There’s also The Laurels, which is moving from its current site in Chelsea to the former Covent school in West Norwood.

As you asked about Alleyns, you should be able to get there fairly easily from Crystal Palace. It's quite nurturing but very academic compared to the other schools on your list. Also, it tends to suit kids who are interested in things beyond school (music, sport etc) and like to participate.

JAGs has a reputation of being a hothouse but I know lots of parents who are very happy with it. I think it suits a very academic girl but others would potentially struggle.

I think all the schools on your list will suit a specific girl so it really depends on what she's like and what she needs.

If she is really bored at school then I'd lean to the more academic schools on your list.

Weirdly enough, I've just been looking at this today for my bright but SEN child. If you'd consider small schools, you could take a look at Bishop Challoner (you don't have to be Catholic or indeed religious) and Bromley Independent Grammar School (formerly Wickham Court senior school - now under new management). I think there's a better chance of 'nurturing' in a smaller place where they need your business.

St Dunstans?

On Royal Russell, both of my bosses daughters went there. Both did well reasonably well academically and went on to University but the school didn’t pick up that the youngest was dyslexic.

Has anyone heard anything of Bromley Independent Grammar?

There's nothing much to tell yet, Eeve. It's a rebrand of the Wickham Court Senior School with a sixth form added from September. It looks promising, but early days.