Secondary Private girls school Wimbledon/Surrey

[Beeby78]

I have two DDs, one 10 and one 8. We live in Wimbledon. My daughter has not passed any 11+ entrance exams. She tried Sutton High, Notre Dame and Surbiton High. She is sporty and great at Art but average academically. Any suggestions of a private secondary girl school she can apply to?

Thank you

You could try The Hall school in Wimbledon and Ewell Castle school (both are co-ed though). They are less selective than the schools you have tried. I’m struggling to think of a girls school along the same lines. Maybe further out in Surrey, someone will be along to advise I’m sure.

@ yes I agree Ewell Castle will be happy to speak to you. Did you get a waiting list from Notre Dame or straight no? If a no ask for feedback.

What about Claremont?

@HoneyMobster , Claremont is very popular with many parents on a thread in this section waiting to hear. They aren't a back up to Notre Dame.

Maybe St Catherine’s in Twickenham?

I think she would be welcome in Hall School Wimbledon but I would check the ratio of boys to girls.

I know that in Ewell Castle it’s 1:3 (g:b).

Wow. Claremont must have been on the up in recent years! At least since DD did the 11+!

St Cats in Twick is also now popular and won't have a late exam sitting. A rejection from Notre Dame moves the applicant along to Ewell Castle/The Hall/ Manor House school in Bookham and possibly LVS in Ascot but it's probably too far in distance.

The preps of all these schools - Claremont/ St Cats / Notre Dame / Radnor are increasingly popular meaning most stay on for the senior school reducing the number of spaces in year 7.

At Theresa’s in Effingham? kingswood House in Epsom (newly co-Ed), Manor House in leatherhead. Was it a straight no from Sutton high? Or waiting list? Asking because they seem to have turned down more this year.

The numbers applying for Claremont this year went through the roof - it has become very popular

Try Marymount or any of the prep schools that go up to age 13 and then have another try at 13+. Feltonfleet, Danes Hill or Downsend (up to 16), or Manor House (up to 16)

Downsend, Manor House, St Teresa’s

I don't understand what the point of private education would be for a child who could not get in to the schools you've mentioned. I would strongly suggest you look at local state schools which are generally very well adapted to catering for the needs of an averagely academic child. Use the money you save to help your child out with sporting and art opportunities to cater for her interests.

@Glaciferous as the owner of an averagely academic child who was educated at one of the alternative schools mentioned in this thread I can confidently say there was indeed a value added over and beyond what a local state school could have offered. In particular far smaller class sizes possibly allowed elevation from very average to nearly above average in terms of academic qualifications. Hope that helps.

Arguably private education is wasted on a very bright child who would do well anywhere. Providing the private school is a good one they should be able to bring out the best in a child. Plus it’s not all about exam grades. But I would agree about not ruling out any good local state options. If you are in Wimbledon and not religious you are probably looking at Ricards Lodge which is a good school but I would worry an “average” child might get a bit overlooked somewhere in the middle of the cohort.

I really like the admissions process for Hall School Wimbledon - no tests, it a “taster morning” over lunch and break time, and a chat with the headteacher.
No tests for Kingswood House admissions, either 👍

I would definitely recommend looking at The Hall. I have heard it is a really lovely nurturing school.

as the owner of an averagely academic child

There is St Cecilia’s which is also a state school, parents who feel Richards might be too big tend to try and send their DC there if they aren’t in the running for private.

You could contact More House in Knightsbridge as they may have places. It is an easy tube journey on the District Line to Sloane Street station.

I take it that you are at a state primary otherwise your headteacher would have been advising you on back ups? Did you have tutoring and/or interview practice going on?

I would agree that Ewell Castle is where I would be trying next.

There's Fulham School as well with a school bus from Wimbledon village, well there used to be.

It's not a hot house and supposed to be nuturing and kind. There's a new secondary in Battersea area as well. Also Northwood Senior towards Streatham which is a new secondary.

Both could be worth a look at.

Both are co-ed, so may not suit - but more of balance between boys and girls than Ewell Castle and The Hall.

Hall School Wimbledon definitely worth considering. Very positive new Head Teacher started recently. More boys than girls, but girls seem very happy.

Thanks everyone,

We currently are at a very good state primary but the class size is a problem, I know my older daughter would benefit from smaller classes. I have looked around The Hall and I’m not keen, disorganised and very few girls.

Will look into Downsend, Manor House, St Teresa’s.
My friend’s daughters are at Rickard’s Lodge and have been bullied badly with little done about it by the school. The behaviour of the Rickards Lodge girls around Wimbledon is famously bad. I once witnessed a fight on the high street. So not a fan!

We looked at Manor House and loved it. Sounds like it may be the place to build up your DD's confidence.