Notre Dame Senior School Cobham

[Bockett75]

I was just wondering whether anyone could give me any information on Notre Dame in Cobham. Academically my daughter is strong and has offers from two other schools which are considered highly academic. We are finding it extremely hard to choose between one of these schools and Notre Dame - she has been offered scholarships at both. We have been given until tomorrow(!) to decide on the other school (with regards the scholarship offer).

Academically ND is considered on the lower end of the scale - I'm aware that they are less selective and know that will reflect in their grades. But they seem to have amazing pastoral care - and certainly have managed to persuade us of this on the visits that we've had. I'm desperately trying to way this up against the other school that also has a reputation for good pastoral care (but isn't as focussed on this as ND). Does anyone have experience of this side of the school?

I've heard that they are improving academically - does anyone know if this is correct? Has anyone any experience of how they challenge academically strong pupils?

And lastly, does anyone know whether the majority of families that choose ND would be considered affluent? I would not consider us to be in that category (it's not an issue but it is a consideration).

Time is of the essence - I'm panicking!

PS My daughter is no help whatsoever - she loves both schools and keeps changing her mind!!

The 6th form at ND is very small. If your dd is academic you will need to move her to either a mixed 6th form like Reeds or a college like Esher college. This is what put me off ND a few years ago as I didn't want to go through the process again. If 1 of your offers is Surbiton it has a very good 6th form.

@sunshineclouds24, the school we’ve chosen also has a small sixth form, but it’s something the Headmaster is focusing on improving and my guess (hope?) is that, as usually thought of back-up schools become more academic, more kids will stay in the school.

However, I’m not from the UK so I don’t understand why that’s a problem. Things work very differently in my home country.

Is it the social aspect or the fact that there will be less subjects available?

Thanks, you’re so knowledgeable, should have a blog!

@1309username , thanks, I have a terrible MN addiction!

If your option is Claremont Fam then you are probably ok as the school has completely changed under the new head. Otherwise a larger 6th form gives a deeper range of subjects, more thorough teaching as they have more experience of what the exam boards want and deeper resources/experience to help with UCAS applications. Esher college has all of this plus it's free which is why it's harder for smaller schools to grow their 6th forms when there is a free alternative already.
ND has a very isolated location, the dd aren't allowed to walk along on the road to school, so it is always going to struggle to be an option up to age 18.

@sunshineclouds24, thanks, yep, that’s the one!

Good luck with your decision @Bockett75.

Hi, my daughter is in the senior school at Notre Dame and is loving it. The pastoral care is good, and she’s made very good friends since her start in year 7. It’s definitely mixed abilities but I believe the girls get stretched according to where they are at academically. The academics does appear to be on the up too.
When it comes to affluent families; my observation is there’s a mix of backgrounds.
Good luck with with choosing a school for your daughter.

Hi there

I’m considering moving my Year 8 DD to Notre Dame senior school in Cobham. I’ve read the older posts on here about terrible cases of bullying and favouritism towards some kids. This was back a good few years ago though so wondered what experiences people have been having of the senior school more recently. She’s not happy in her current state school, but the last thing I would want is a move to an environment that wasn’t too welcoming of late arrivals. All views welcome. Thank you.

Hi, my daughter has been at Notre Dame for 6 years now, like you I was concerned by some of the older posts I read, I am so pleased we went ahead. My DD has absolutely loved every minute. My DD is very academic , and although there is a range of mixed abilities she has been pushed and is predicted amazing GCSE results. We chose the school initially for the pastoral care side and it has not dissapointed, I can not praise the school highly enough. I have also never heard of one single case of bullying in the time my DD has been at the school as it is just not tolerated. Good luck with your decision!

We are local and have lots of friends with daughters at ND. The pastoral care seems excellent and they certainly do push the able children along and get good results.

what is the other school you are looking at?

@sunshineclouds24 how do the girls from ND get to Esher college? Isn’t it quite a distance?
@Bockett75 Notre Dame has a very good reputation locally.