Church School or GDST school

[mumof32022]

Hi,

My daughter did 7+ this year she had 2 offers - one of them was from Christian Church independent secondary and other one was from girls only GDST school.

1).GDST school is 1.5 miles (8 mins drive) away and really good transport links with bus (15-20 mins) and train 2 stop (5mins), away 22 mins walk away. My 2 older daughters also attending to this school but 1 of them is in senior side. Senior and Junior building are in different area, around 3-4 mins drive away to each other. We are really happy with the school but my younger daughter (DD3) is more academic then her older sisters so not sure if this school will stretch her enough.

2.) Church school was 2.5 miles (15 mins drive) away, no transport link. So she can not travel on her own for this school even when she will go to seniors. - unless we use school coach service if we pay £555 per term. Church School fee, lunches and coach services are higher than GDST school about £4000-5000 more per year. But this school is very selective and academic. It is in top 10 in London. I also checked ISI report for this school it is says that they teach in Christian environment. To be honest we do not follow any religion so that I do not know what is that mean exactly?

We accepted one of this school. I would like to know what would you do if you were in my position. GDST will be cheaper and easier travel for family, but, Church school would suit her for future (academically).
I would like also mention that I visited both schools teachers and facilities was really good in both school but I did feel that GDST is warmer school, Church school was a bit colder. - Maybe I felt in that way because my 2 older daughters attends to GDST school currently.
Will be so pleased if you let me know what would you do.

Meanwhile we can afford Church school fee and plus coach service fee. That will be a not a problem for family but of-cource GDST school has an advantage when I look at on that side as we can spend that money for our daughters expenses, holidays, clubs and private tutors or save them for future etc...

Just to quick note school doesnt called Christian Church school I just named in that ways. Only religion character is Church

Meanwhile I can tell you which one we choosed for our DD3 later in comments:)

Thank you in advance.

Are you taking about Eltham College v the GDST schools around Bromley/Blackheath? If so go for the easiest set up for your family, you are over thinking this.

I would go for the GDST school. On balance it sounds better.

You need to look at the daily routine. Is there a lengthy Christian service at the start of the day? Do they have chapel? Are they in snd pit of the local church? How does religion site with you? Are other faiths and no faiths welcome or are they made to feel outsiders? How many DC of other possible faiths did you see when you visited? Can you see your DD at the Christian school?

I tend to find teachers are capable of teaching bright DC even if the majority are not as bright. It can also be good for DC to be the bigger fish in a smaller pond. Good for self esteem. I would be glad to have a left-over money!

Is it actually a church school or just a school that runs in some Christian tradition? Most of the independent schools that call themselves Christian/CoE/Methodist/etc only do so because it's a part of their origin/charter/etc, the religion is a minimal part of school and the majority of staff and likely students are likely not religious. Focus on the school environment and the academics. The religion in these schools is minimal.

2.5 miles isn’t far. Surely there’s a transport link. A couple of buses? Train and bus?

@hockeygrass hi, no, none of these schools. We live in South West x

@EllieNBeeb your reply helped a lot thanks x

@Woollystockings unfortunately there isnt. Its not far, we at least need to take 3 buses then short walk.

@TizerorFizz true... thank you x

Apologies for typos earlier. Hope you got the gist.

I do agree that schools with a Christian ethos can be light touch. DDs went to a Methodist school but it wasn’t very obvious. Just a fairly normal school day but it did have a fairly lengthy daily service. It wasn’t evident in teaching or RE which followed the agreed syllabus. Plenty of DDs there were Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Catholic as well as CofE and probably no faith at all. So choose on learning opportunities as far as possible but don’t think because other DC are less academic at a school, your DD will be short-changed.

I would also compare what you get for your money. Why is the CofE school more money? What are you getting for the extra fees?

@TizerorFizz i dont know why all GDST schools in SW is cheaper. The advantages of other school is reputation - locally it is everyones mission to get in there. For example my older daughter didnt have the chance to get in there, but she is doing amazing in GDST school, she loves it. Churst schhol has really selective so that they have great GCSE, A level results. I dont know if it is worth to pay extra for that because her current teacher even said she will do good in every supportive, happy environment.

@mumof32022
I tend to agree with the teacher. The results might be better at the other school but sometimes that can feel highly pressurised. We preferred a less high pressure atmosphere and I didn’t want my DDs with others who were perfectionists and for whom all that mattered was school work. I wanted a balance of academics and activities that they could enjoy. Fir them it was music and drama. Others loved the sport. The school community and ethos was also important to us. As you know the GDST school, would you honestly think your DD would not flourish there? I bet she would!

@TizerorFizz of-course I know that she will 🙏🏻

I think I would go for the same school as the other kids. Holidays will match, transport sounds easier and if your daughter likes learning, she will do well wherever she goes.

Hi I definitely would NOT go for the GDST school for many reasons.

Be aware of the problems GDST has had regarding trying to pull out of the teacher pension scheme and the big strikes they faced this year. Now they face the worst case scenario - existing teachers remain in it, as the GDST was forced to pull back, but they are not offering it to new staff, so this makes them much less attractive as employers. Lots of other schools, exotically the bigger and successful schools remain in the teacher pension scheme and so understandably, those oooking to move job are going to be less attracted to GDST schools. It’s a real thing to consider.

Church state schools often are light touch. There will be assemblies and some prayers, but many families won’t be strong Christians and find it all very manageable, and often that it brings a positive to the school.