Recent Views/opinions on Sutton High School - gdst

[1forward2back]

Hi
We have an offer here with a small academic scholarship. DD loved the school and I got a really good impression at the open events we went to, so we are close to a decision to accept, and we know some previous parents from DD’s prep who have girls who are in the school and seem happy. However DDs friend who was also thinking of going did not get a place, so that has thrown us a bit as she might end up going alone with no ‘ready made’ friends. There aren’t many messages on here about the school (most are older and I know there is a fairly new head there) and so I’m asking for any recent opinions as it doesn’t seem to be talked about as much as the other gdst schools on here. I know the report from the inspection was really good because they sent it out with offers, so that’s also positive. Any current parents? What do you think? Are your girls happy? Apparently according to our prep head, it’s really changed in the past few years and so I really want current parents rather than older opinions. Thank you

Congratulations on your offer. My daughter in Y9 is very happy at SHS (joined in Y7 from abroad so did not have any 'ready made friends'). Good luck.

Thank you @JelenaB how would you describe the school? Is it as friendly as it seems? What are the teachers like etc?

Watching with interest. We have offers from both Surbiton and Sutton High and trying to make our minds up.

We arranged a zoom call with the Head on Friday and we are choosing Sutton - the size was a big factor and personal recommendations from people from our prep who are in y7. What are your current thoughts @MaitreKarlsson ?

@1forward2back I also did a call with the Head, and she was really helpful (and I'm so impressed she offers this - no other school head is that personally invested!). I'd go for Sutton myself I think - agree about smaller sizes being a factor, and I thought the girls were exceptional in terms of speaking confidently and being secure in themselves even in the earlier stages. I'm also ex GDST myself and loved my school! But - unlike you we don't know anyone else who goes to Sutton. It's not somewhere girls ever go from my Dds school. Whereas Surbiton we know part of the 6th form cohort and quite a few Yr 8s - we know the standard of teaching is very high and the sports are good, as well as the pastoral care being exceptional.
My daughter has had a rough couple of years and can be quite anxious. I think Sutton would be ideal for her now. DH agrees but think Surbiton would ultimately give her a broader range of sports and subjects as she grows in confidence.
Argh. Difficult!

@MaitreKarlsson
Interesting - a big factor for us was sport. A few things I took away were that at Surbiton it’s often said on these boards that sport is very much for the elite - no idea if this is true. At Sutton they offer yoga, gym, football and swimming from y7 with the more trad sports like hockey and cricket - seemed inclusive and they are also having new sports facilities put in at the moment (a new pitch) so it must be a focus. They also offer dance which DD will love.

The other thing I liked was the open choices at gcse - DD has dyslexia and will struggle with languages and heavy essay subjects. At Surbiton she has to choose from blocks at gcse including a language and a history/geography/rs choice. At Sutton they just select four subjects and no blocks, so I feel like the range will be better - or at least better in terms of choices, but depends what your DD is into I suppose.

I have to say that being able to speak to her was a selling point too - says a lot about the size and the communications - it’s what I’ve heard in general. We have only heard good things and our Prep Head also rates it and has visited a few times. Have you asked your DD’s current Head?

Totally understand about not wanting your DD to be alone but this year my DD would be the only one from our Prep and my view is that they make friends very quickly. I was really worried about this and posted on here about it and was told not to worry about it! So I’m going with my gut instinct and what Dd wants. Tough choices though!

@1forward2back all helpful thanks, hadn't spotted that about GCSE blocks. No, I would be fine even if she was the only one from primary going - I just meant we don't have any other experience of the school, even anecdotally, from anyone else - or know anyone who has been to the school in the past. When we mentioned it to our current primary head they looked fairly blank - had heard of it but doesn't know much about it.
My daughter also loves dancing and netball. And I love the swimming pool!

I went to Sutton high school years ago! It was friendly, no bullying, pretty good experience all round really! (This was 30 years ago though!!!!)

We chose Sutton over Surbiton because of it's size and my DD is also very shy and loves swimming. Surbiton doesn't do swimming at all. She's in year 7 and is very happy. The head is very friendly and sorts out any issues or questions personally. Very impressed so far. They focus a lot on making sure the year 7 girls settle in well and are happy. There are lots of sports clubs if one is keen. The compulsory PE / games are a rotation of netball, hockey, football (games so far) and swimming, badminton, yoga, dance and ball games for PE lessons. Good luck in making your decisions.

@mmhophey Thanks so much, great to know your DD is having a good experience.

@1forward2back We chose Sutton High! Relieved to have made the decision. She's looking forward to it very much.

[quote MaitreKarlsson]@1forward2back We chose Sutton High! Relieved to have made the decision. She's looking forward to it very much. [/quote]
Welcome to Sutton !

@mmhophey Thank you!

Worst school ever.
I am currently a student, and even in my first year I have never felt so bad about a school. The pastoral care are rubbish, and the head teacher does not take criticism well. The ovens are currently broken, and they have not done well at providing us with healthy or good food-just sandwiches. and the school cafe- it's terrible! they have turned it in to the only real hang out place in the mornings, and have then filled it with really unhealthy food. they also do not sell bottles of water. in one of the buildings, there is a one way system on the stairs. students are yelled at for using the wrong stairs, but we are expected to make way for teachers coming the wrong way. If a student is not in school and has not called in sick, they will wait until lunchtime (13:10) to call the parents. and despite their minimal efforts, there is a large bullying problem at the school. once, when I had a temperature, the nurse was not in, and so I was seen by a teacher who claimed to be first-aid trained. they just told me to stop crying and sent me back to lessons.
also, this entire review is only for senior school- the prep is amazing!
but everything else is really rubbish.
don't waste your money here.

Hi, is this message from a student really genuine? I’m very surprised. My daughter is due to join in year 9 from a state school but it doesn’t sound much better than her current school.

Hi @Teachermumlovesoutdoors my DD is at SHS and I really doubt this is genuine. It is certainly not our experience of the school at all. Happy to DM if you have questions.

Hi, thanks for your message. What does DM mean please? I do have other questions. Can we text privately?

@Teachermumlovesoutdoors I’ve sent you a direct message and happy to answer anything - if I can!