Did you choose LU over GL and SPGS for sporty DD?

[Alexia234]

Would love to get in contact if you chose LU over the 2 Hammersmith girls schools for a sporty DD. My DD got all 3 and we really loved LU for her but having second thoughts when other 2 Schools thrown into the mix and Concerned the sports isn’t as strong for girls in latymer and that dreaded great western road with the pollution . Any parents out there who wouldn’t mind me PMing them?

@Grandjany

I was at a lunch with a mum who said that LU kids were more like a state school product than a private school product which is what I was trying to say; she was just giving her perception. I guess it’s a really big school with a lot more diversity than G&L. Personally, and rather surprisingly, my experience with staff at LU was that they were arrogant and unaccommodating and lacked manners… so we did not apply in the end. This may have been the upshot of the fact it is such a massive school and they don’t have such a personal approach.

Not sure what a ‘state school product’ is?!

This may not relate to the topic(sorry) but my DS’s classmates girls at LU are so nice and kind.
For example when he lost his bag, all classmate girls looked for it during lunch break until next lesson started.
We had never experienced it at his boys’ prep. They are not only active but also kind and sweet. And so far school staff are very considerate and his teachers are trying to build up his confidence nicely.
Since I was surprised to read some LU’s bad reputation, I just wanted to tell our experience.

Many thanks and good luck.

Equally, my dd at SPGS is by no means ruthlessly driven. There are some very competitive girls there, but not a majority. I would say my dd is geeky and musical, certainly not an alpha type. She has some very quiet, shy friends, as well as some more extroverted and loud ones. But I agree, it’s not the sportiest of schools - there is sport and lots of it, but probably a bit less variety and taken less seriously by the majority than the other schools mentioned. There is a very significant sporty minority, who are serious about it, though.

Wonderful to hear @Hanahanna we really liked some of the girls who showed us round but so hard to tell at an open day. Also wasn’t sure what “state school product” is 😳
Would
Be great to hear from actual Paretns with DDs at the schools as hearsay can be very derailing. Thank you to those who’ve responded

I’ve heard LU is more ‘street’, G&L more ‘posh’, SPGD more ‘driven’.

So much crap talked on these threads, there are posh, "street" and driven girls at all schools, sporty and non-sporty girls. Go with the one you like the feel of best. LU very strong for girls' rowing if that's a consideration.

Yes these are generalisations, I’m sure you’ll get each and every sort in these great schools. It is interesting though to chat about and share views. Small nuances are what differentiate each school.

My best advice is to ask your daughter’s teachers and Head for their opinion on your daughter’s best fit; It can be very helpful.

Agree some unhelpful comments by posters who don't have first hand experience of DC at any of the schools. OP will be wise to ignore.

My DD is at G&L (have posted extensively on a separate thread about experience). Specifically on sport, it is indeed very strong, and lots of the girls get very involved in it. But I don't think it is necessarily any better than LU (In fact, the one hockey match my DD lost this year was against LU - their U13 A and B teams seem very strong). I think the main difference is that at LU, they focus on 1 sport per term, so for girls it's hockey in the autumn, then netball in spring, whereas at G&L they do both sports in both autumn and spring (then athletics and rounders in the summer). This means that at G&L the season of training and fixtures in both sports is 2 terms rather than 1. My DD would be gutted to only play hockey in the autumn!

Otherwise - great for G&L to have all sports on site. Makes for lots of training (eg your DD could do 3 extra netball sessions a week in Y7).

Alexia: Tier 1 hockey schools are the highest performing (there are Tiers 1-4, see the England Hockey website).
And I can assure you that G&L still has amazing pastoral care.

And I can assure you that there is no 'toxic girls atmosphere' at G&L. Exactly the opposite.

Hi OP, I have a boy who went through LU and a girl at G&L. Main differences I have experienced -

• LU is more of a ‘buzzing’ school with a dynamic feel. On the negative side, it’s quite impersonal and not a very ‘containing’ atmosphere for students, if that makes sense?

• G&L feels much calmer and and containing. Pastoral care is excellent and it feels like a very ‘kind’ school (compared to LU where the vibe is more edgy, I would say).

• This is only my experience and - disclaimer - very generalised indeed - but the girls at G&L have an ‘understated confidence,’ rather than ‘in your face.’ In my DD’s year, there are a handful who, in her words, “think they’re it,” but it really is just a handful and everybody knows who they are and thinks it’s quite funny. On the whole, the girls are kind, really supportive of each other and it’s a lovely atmosphere at G&L. Much less arrogance and insecurity playing out day to day.

• LU had a more dynamic atmosphere. The curriculum seemed highly innovative to me and quite incredible really. They have ‘Activities Week’ every summer where the whole school closes and they go off on their choice of amazing trips. It’s a very outward looking, modern school (some may say, ‘woke’). About 25% there are on some form of bursary and I would say students are drawn from more diverse backgrounds at LU than at G&L. Both schools quite culturally diverse though.

• They have the hockey pitch in site at G&L and routinely seem to play more sport. My DD wears her tracksuit every day and most do, whereas this would not be possible at LU. She seems to have a games session everyday and there are extra sports clubs at lunchtimes and after school everyday too. At LU they have the games afternoon where they bus them to Wood Lane sports ground, plus one other single session on the week (likely to be in the sports hall which is beautiful). Anything more would be extra clubs, rather than timetabled.

• G&L much more inclusive for drama and choirs. LU has its drama clique by about Year 9 and its very hard to get into a play.

• G&L is a ‘kinder,’ calmer school of I can put it like that and they feel more ‘noticed.’ For instance, in Years 7 and 8, if they do a good piece of work or something, they get a commendation and they go and see the head (who is lovely). I like the head at LU a lot - he’s fine loads in terms of the bursary scheme and he’s very inspiring and innovative - but he’s much more ‘removed’ and less visible to students and parents. There is no formal system at LU for acknowledging / praising good work and I think this is an issue. For instance, someone wins an essay competition or something at G&L, they would make a point if acknowledging this. At LU, nothing is remarked on and a lot goes unnoticed.

• LU teach their own course ‘World Perspectives’ alongside GCSE and they get a certificate at pass, merit, distinction at the end of Year 11.

• G&L offer IB or A-level. If A-level, they seem to do 4 and then can drop one at the end of year 12. LU prefer them to do 3 A-levels (unless the fourth is FM, a senior-native language or the student can argue a good reason for taking a fourth). They have done research directly with unis and have concluded unis now prefer an EPQ as they are only going to look at your best 3 A-levels anyway.

• So on the whole, I would say G&L for a more sensitive child. LU can be a lot to deal with socially and can be quite a tough environment. At G&L, far less ‘behaviour’ seems to pass under the radar. Any meaness or nonsense and they are on it straight away, whereas at LU this kind of thing is more endemic, unfortunately.

Both schools are great in their different ways. I feel my son ‘survived’ LU with much more ups and downs (socially-speaking). But the education is world class and he went into Oxbridge with a string of 9s and A* and, having g gone through LU, was less ‘cloistered’ and more real world and ready to deal with not so nice people in the world. DD is at G&L still, but socially has thrived feather than survived. Her friends are lovely and they can’t be bothered with cliques and nonsense. That’s just my kids of course, but there it is for what it’s worth.

@cathotel thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed and balanced post - really appreciate it. Lots to think about in our pros and cons list but really hoping the offer holders events this week will help sway the decision. We are now swaying towards GL if we have a better feel after the offer holders as open day really put us off at the time. LU sounds amazing and we loved the Buzz to be honest but I worry DD might get a shock socially after small girls prep and the “woke” aspect is not for us.

[quote Alexia234]@cathotel thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed and balanced post - really appreciate it. Lots to think about in our pros and cons list but really hoping the offer holders events this week will help sway the decision. We are now swaying towards GL if we have a better feel after the offer holders as open day really put us off at the time. LU sounds amazing and we loved the Buzz to be honest but I worry DD might get a shock socially after small girls prep and the “woke” aspect is not for us.[/quote]
Am I the only one following this thread thinking what planet these people live on?

LU woke? A public school established in the 1600's Jesus....

Deliberating over three of the best schools in the country, steeped in privilege that most children could only dream of having.

Does it matter? Most London parents can't get their children into a 'good' Secondary.

Post like these scream, look at me, look at me, look how clever my DC are! There, I've said what most parents reading this thread are really thinking.

@Babalugats really no need to be rude. Lots of first world problems discussed on mumsnet and if you don’t have anything to say perhaps then don’t. We absolutely feel incredibly lucky to have these choices and are very aware of that but It doesn’t mean we can’t deliberate over the pros and cons of each great school on a forum like this. You don’t actually know the personal circumstances of any poster and have no idea what other battles they are fighting based on a post that annoys you so probably best to move along next time

Deciding between the very top private schools in the UK, that will cost a parent deep into six figures overall, is not a first world problem .

If one school offered a scholarship and the other didn't, yes, that makes sense for the angst , who to decide, but to me and many reading this thread it seems incredulous you would decide where to go, based on meaningless buzzwords like how 'woke' or how good the hockey team are for 3 of the best schools in the country, whatever your position politically or on sport is. I mean that's why your family applied in the first instance isn't it?

You've raised this on a public forum, so I'm sorry, although un-invited, I can post my opinion. Good luck to you and I'm 100% sure whatever choice you make your DD will have an excellent education.

My daughter is at LU, is sporty and plays couple if instruments(Diploma levels). The school recommended her to also register at the council Hockey Squad, if your daughter likes to compete, squad is the route. My daughter does out of school rowing squad too. Best thing about rowing in LU is that the boat house is just on site. They could jump on the boat without traveling else where. She was very much into competitive swimming and was catered well with the school but has to drop to spend more time on rowing.

Weird and pointless response Babalugats.

You do realise this is, in fact, a secondary education forum where people - gasp - discuss secondary school choices?

What do you suggest OP does? Flip a coin?

@cathotel,

if OP is deciding based on LU being too 'woke' or who has the best hockey team, she may as well flip a coin.

You are right that the quality of education and teaching is going to be excellent at either school, so in this sense it’s much of a muchness. But there is a significantly different atmosphere between the schools - not least because one is co-ed and one all girls - and this forum is for canvassing various opinions!

Also, what does the fact a school was founded in the 1600s have to do with what It’s like in 2022? Do you think they all walk around chanting Latin or something? As I said, it’s a very outward-looking, dynamic school with an urban vibe.

@cathotel

You are right that the quality of education and teaching is going to be excellent at either school, so in this sense it’s much of a muchness. But there is a significantly different atmosphere between the schools - not least because one is co-ed and one all girls - and this forum is for canvassing various opinions!

Also, what does the fact a school was founded in the 1600s have to do with what It’s like in 2022? Do you think they all walk around chanting Latin or something? As I said, it’s a very outward-looking, dynamic school with an urban vibe.

@cathotel

The words 'street' or 'woke' don't come to mind for LU, your definition may differ. Its plain silly. I actually don't pile negative connotations to either word, but to talk of elite public day school with these essentially meaningless buzzwords is a joke.

Outward-looking, dynamic with an urban vibe - what does that even mean? Urban vibe.... Do you know how simply inane that sounds to most people?

@Grandjany

True but it looks like a similar run to last year - the stronger, bossy and ruthlessly driven personalities go to SPGS and the gentler kinder more cooperative types to G&L. No difference in intelligence, just approach to life

are you referring to parents or children?

are you referring to parents or children?

It doesn't matter because it's absolute rubbish either way!

@Grandjany

True but it looks like a similar run to last year - the stronger, bossy and ruthlessly driven personalities go to SPGS and the gentler kinder more cooperative types to G&L. No difference in intelligence, just approach to life

Are you referring to parents or students?

Disposition of the child

Well it is an urban school because it’s located between the A4 and King St in Hammersmith. Do you know the area, Babugats?

I’m my opinion (and it is just that), LU does have a slightly different vibe to other comparative schools in the area because it’s the only co-ed. There is little outside space on site - this can make for a quite intense social atmosphere. It’s a larger year group too compared to G&L and SPGS. Students on bursaries are 25% and growing and this is a very strong and celebrated ethos in the school (G&L is beginning to take steps in this direction, but not there yet). At 6th Form, I understand there are 30 full-bursary places available at LU - I’m not aware of any other similar school in the area that offers anything like this. The school won a TES award for improving social mobility. They teach a course called World Perspectives which introduces them to contemporary global political, social and environmental issues and this is one of the best things about the school. It was one of the first schools (I think) to include the option ‘non binary’ on forms / circulars and they are certainly not slow to react and adapt to the way the world is changing. Yes, it’s a public school, but traditional / stuffy it is not! All schools say they are outward-looking, but at LU, it’s particularly tangible. They send them all to Calais to work with refugees. They all have to do community work in sixth form (and I don’t mean as part of the D of E - that’s separate). It’s a very fast-paced, urban school that reflects the increasingly diverse student body that use it.

The reason my son chose LU over KCS was because it felt less traditional and ‘cloistered away.’ There really are students from all types of background there - if you were to visit you might be surprised. It’s also a school where there’s not much ‘handholding’ and they expect them to be quite independent and stand on their own feet from day one. In one sense, this is great, but it can also be problematic. The kids there (broadly-speaking) tend to not be afraid to articulate themselves and speak their minds. I know quite a few very academic, but more quiet / ‘timid’ kids who didn’t get in at 11 plus who have gone on to do brilliantly at other schools such as LEH, PHS or wherever. LU is not for everyone, that’s all I’m saying. Some, if given the choice, may do better in a slightly more ‘containing’ environment, for want of a better word. I can’t fault the teaching or the academics though as it’s fantastic. That’s my direct experience as a parent. Others may have a different take on LU obviously. Personally, I expected G&L to be an all-girls version of the same thing, but it’s just a calmer and more caring environment, in my view. Maybe it’s the lack of testosterone - I don’t know what it is!

Also, just remembered that another recent move at LU is to no longer include any kind of ‘grades’ on reports. They decided this was counterproductive because all students (and parents) do is look at the grades and gloss over the teachers comments. They want students to focus on the teacher’s comments and the areas for improvement instead and actually absorb this, rather than thinking of themselves as a grade or comparing themselves to others - because as long as they’re generally keeping up, they’re on target for top grades so why have all the grading faff and stress along the way.

At least that’s what they announced a year or two ago. It may have changed again!