Surbiton vs Sutton High

[1forward2back]

DD has an offer from both (thankfully) and I wondered if anyone else is in the same position? We were really set on Sutton High and still love it and prefer it - but at DD’s prep, all the girls have offers from Surbiton now and three didn’t get Sutton but those three are DD’s good friends. Worried she might end up being without her friends if we go with Sutton. Has anyone got any advice or facing the same decision between these two schools please? What are the differences? Both all girls, Surbiton is a lot bigger and feels more corporate to me and must be less selective because they’ve taken everyone from our prep (14 offers of 14 applied). But somehow seems more popular on these forums and I’m trying to work out why. Results are almost identical and facilities seem similar too, but everyone on here is talking about Surbiton. Anyone with daughters at either school? DD loved the taster afternoon at Sutton this week and met some lovely girls and teachers, but there isn’t much on here about it.

I can’t help with the two schools but I’ll say there is wholesale changing of the guard for most girls friendships in secondary school. Most at my dd’s school have nothing to do with primary friendships now in year 9, and most moved pretty quickly into new groups in year 7. So much changes I wouldn’t make that the reason to go to a school. Also it’s great to have good friends at other schools. Someone who isn’t involved in the drama and gossip at your school. Good luck choosing.

@1forward2back , due to its location Surbiton has a much larger catchment hence the dd come from all over - Kings Rd, Putney, Wimbledon, Barnes, Richmond, Hampton, Cobham, Guildford plus all the more local areas. It's also both a stretch school and a back up school to many dd choosing 5 schools to select for their exams.
Therefore it has a large profile on MN.

I have a dd nearing the end of her time there, it is large and the sport focuses on the very able of which there are many but I can't fault the quality of the teaching and I found the rowing (which is based in Teddington) very good for many reasons.

I’m also in a very tricky position my daughter had been offered Surbiton and St. John both places with sport scholarship. But I’m torn between those schools Both are great. But I can’t quite decide. Don’t her Surbiton but apparently a fantastic school! Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you A

@Dominica1971 , I have a dd nearing the end of her time at Surbiton and a ds who had an offer from St J's but went somewhere else.
My advice would be to go to both offer holder mornings as the schools are so different and even the offer mornings have different feels. Also search on St J's threads on MN as every year there are people deciding between St J's and Epsom.

Some of the basic differences between the 2 apart from co-Ed v single sex and the option of flexible boarding are the lower school at St J's and cosy feel and then house system from year 9.
At Surbiton from year 10 the dd eat packed lunches in the classroom and they have their phones on them all the time from when they join.
Also at Surbiton the sports are at Hinchley wood and the rowing in Teddington. At the offer mornings you can also speak to the sports teachers about what would be offered in your dd's sports interest.

Im sure you will find it easier to make a decision nearer the deadline and once you have revisited.

They are both very good schools. Sutton has a swimming pool but Surbiton perhaps has more extra curricula clubs because it's quite a lot bigger so more chance to try new things.

I'd look at the journey and the journey for you also as there are quite a few parent things you have to do in the evenings at times even with secondary.

Hi @1forward2back
My daughter is in Year 7 at Sutton High and is very happy there. We much preferred it to Surbiton High, I was really put off by their corporate approach and marketing. I simply didn’t warm to the school, and haven’t heard positive things about it either. All very personal of course.
Regarding friendships, I wouldn’t worry about that as it all changes in Year 7 anyway.
I hope this helps.

Thank you - we have definitely decided on Sutton and DD is excited!

@1forward2back
Congratulations!!! I hope that your daughter has a great time at Sutton High

Hi bumping this thread up. We are in a similar situation. Any thoughts between the two? We heard that Sutton is a very relaxed school which also ends up promoting mediocrity and some kids don't reach their potential. At the some time for us when we heard the heads of Surbiton talking we felt, they were more organized, structured and seemed more thought through in their approaches. Both DH and me come from a corporate background so for us schools that try to push kids to their potential is not a massive red flag. At the same time we loved the facilities at Sutton high school and also it is closer to us by at least 10-15 mins (15 min drive) compared to Surbiton (25 min drive). Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

DD has been super happy since starting at Sutton. I would say it is relaxed in some ways (uniform mainly) which means she is comfortable and likes school, but they have pushed her to improve academically and she is getting increasingly higher grades now as she approaches her gcse choices. They track them against targets from y7 and DD is exceeding this now in a few subjects. I think the focus is on individual potential and also they take everyone from their own primary so there is a real mix of levels. Dd has friends who are much more bright than she is and also friends who may not do as well as her.
Also, they just had a great inspection which was sent to us just before Christmas and the a level results last year seemed great.
it’s smaller than Surbiton by quite some way, which means our Dd has had a lot of things to do and is always busy, which we like!