NLCS vs SPGS

[pkim123]

Hello, DD got offers from both NLCS & SPGS. They are roughly equal commute from home. Any feedback or advice on how they compare and experiences at both? DD is a sporty and capable student. Thanks so much.

No experience of SPGS, have a DD at NLCS (DD2 also just got a place). Couldn’t be happier there.

Sorry that was a bit short. As you can expect there is plenty of stretch in the academic front. Loads of clubs and societies, the girls are extremely busy but I suspect this would be the same at SPGS.
NLCS doesn’t have a reputation for sports but my sporty DD is very busy being part of multiple squads, playing in tournaments, after school etc.

@Justanothergirl19

Sorry that was a bit short. As you can expect there is plenty of stretch in the academic front. Loads of clubs and societies, the girls are extremely busy but I suspect this would be the same at SPGS. NLCS doesn’t have a reputation for sports but my sporty DD is very busy being part of multiple squads, playing in tournaments, after school etc.

Thanks so much. Glad your DD is doing well there.

On SPGS, yes, tons of clubs. They have an hour and a half at lunch so they can eat and still do two clubs. Sports wise, lacrosse and netball are the main winter team sports (no hockey), plus they have their own pool. Athletics and tennis in the summer. As they go up the school, they get more choice - so various sports / activities to try or use that time for team practices.

As you would expect, the pace is fast. They set for maths after the first year (which is about getting them all to the same level, as the prep girls have covered a lot more maths than girls who have been to primary schools which only teach the Y6 curriculum), but they don’t set for anything else.

PE GCSE is not offered, if that might be an issue. But girls can do up to five languages at GCSE, if that’s something your dd is interested in.

Our daughter moved from NLCS to SPGS and she hasn’t regretted the move. She’s been nurtured more at SPGS. Lots of sport and creative activities/subjects.

From what we can see, maths is much stronger at SPGS.

We miss the outdoor space, but to be honest that has been our only main regret.

@MaryleboneParent

Our daughter moved from NLCS to SPGS and she hasn’t regretted the move. She’s been nurtured more at SPGS. Lots of sport and creative activities/subjects.

From what we can see, maths is much stronger at SPGS.

We miss the outdoor space, but to be honest that has been our only main regret.

May I ask, what was the reason for having your daughter transfer from NLCS to SPGS in the first place?

Maths. She wasn’t being nurtured or extended in the junior school. English yes, maths no. She was given extension within weeks at SPGS and is now loving all things maths and drama and music and it all to be honest.

Very impressed with her maths teachers so far and they have really inspired her, especially the female ones.

@pkim123 Thanks for initiating this thread as we are in a similar position and this is really helpful.

@MaryleboneParent @HighRopes Do you feel SPGS gives less sports opportunities? DD is not that sporty but plays badminton and would like to continue.

My daughter played badminton in year 8 (UIV) as a club. There’s lots of clubs and sports. If you contact SPGS and ask about their parents offer morning. They don’t advertise it, but several are held. We went to one.

From the LV (year 9), they start to mix up the sports a lot for PE, plus girls can start rowing on the Thames. There’s a dissection club. I forgot to add that the majority of clubs are at lunchtime. Some sports squads train before school.

There’s lots of opportunities to try different sports in PE lessons, especially from Y9. The first couple of years it’s more netball, lacrosse, swimming, gym, athletics from what I remember. But so many lunchtime clubs - it was something like 200 last time I looked, and lots of them are sports.

When people say it’s not sporty, they mean it’s not a school where the vast majority of people are sporty, where sport / team games are a big part of the culture with tons of inter-house competitions that are taken seriously, where kudos and friendships come from being good at sports. I have friends with DC at schools where everyone has to be in a team and play on Saturdays, and (especially more traditional schools) where team level really matters in terms of social status. SPGS is not like that at all.

OP, just wondering if you have decided given the threads in Mumsnet re: SPGS. @pkim123