South west London girl schools

[Creamcheesedreams]

We're a way far off looking at secondary school for my both my DDs but I got thinking recently and I'm beginning to like the idea of an all girl's school for secondary (no catholic schools however)

Where is the best place to start researching this? How easy is it to find out fees? Are all girl schools private? Is there even a website that's good for researching all girl schools?

We are a bit apprehensive about the cost hence why I'm beginning to form a picture, maybe start saving now for when the time comes.

Since both DH and I went to coed schools we wouldn't know where to start and any advice on what to look for would be great, even questions/things we should be entertaining!

We are based in Merton, if anyone has first hand suggestions or general info

In Merton, Ricards Lodge is a non-selective state school for girls. Ursuline is the only other girls-only state school but it's Catholic. Otherwise you will need to go private - Wimbledon High, Sutton High, Surbiton High are the usual choices.

Forgot the grammars in Sutton - Nonsuch and Wallington. But they are selective state schools.

There are state girls schools - for example

www.ricardslodge.merton.sch.uk

Private schools will have fees on their websites usually.

Oh these are great, thank you! I had heard of Ricard's but couldn't see fees on the website, so I thought it was a thing you had to enquire about directly to the school if not mentioned online

Rcards is a state school so no fees. That's why you can't see them!

Ricards is a state school, so no fees! Whether you get in will be determined bybb by the admissions criteria, which In your case is likely to be distance -

www.merton.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools/admissions/secondary/criteria#cvc

Coombe Girls in New Malden is another state girls school

Waldegrave school in Twickenham is another all girls state school (years 7-11, takes boys in sixth form). However admission criteria is primarily by distance (unless previously looked after child) so I think you’d need to move to access.

Depending where in Merton you are you could consider Ricards. You need to be practicing Catholic for Ursuline. Coombe likely to be too far but worth checking. You’re in the outer zone for Tiffin, but it’s doable and lots do. The girls grammars in Sutton are hard to get to from most of Merton.

For private, Wimbledon High is the obvious one. Also easy journeys to Putney High, Surbiton High and Sutton High. Some girls also commute to the Hammersmith girls schools or I’ve even heard of people considering commutes via coach services to LEH or some of the SE London schools like JAGs.

Just over the border in Wandsworth is Burntwood - all-girl comprehensive.

Sutton GDST and Graveney are also options. Latter is state but partially selective

Apologies, Graveney is mixed!

Thank you for all the info and options. Sutton high school sounds good but fees might be a bit high due to eventually wanting to send both girls.

As I mentioned before we're happy to start saving now but any little helps of course.

Is it straight forward when applying to ask about financial help? I noticed on the Wimbledon one they do anything between 30%-100% help towards fees

Has anyone got any experience with this?

I've also been looking at this one since you mentioned it, looks great, I'll be reaching for their admission policy, thank you!
Does your daughter attend?

I did enquire about bursaries when mine was younger and we were considering GDST schools. You need to have a joint, household income below about 80k to even start the conversation , if I recall

With all due respect, if you think that you might be able to afford fees at a stretch there’s no way you’ll be getting a bursary to help with fees. I’m very comfortable financially but given I felt I would need to find £45k plus a year after tax private school for 2 kids was not worth it for me.

In terms of state secondary, it’s not hard to research - just go on the council website and search for secondary schools part of the website. They’ll be admissions booklet and it will tell you if girls/Co-Ed etc. Most schools have small catchments in SWLondon so you may need to move.

She did, but a few years ago now. It was a great school.

Hi dear parents,
My DD has received offers from Francis Hollosnd Sloane and Notting Hill and Ealing schools! We’re based in Chiswick. Would love to get thoughts of experienced parents about these 2😊 Btw. We are also on the waiying list for Godolphin and LEH but not sure how waiting lists move.. So don’t want to keep my hopes high. Great thanks for your valuable comments in advance..

what is your daughter’s preference? I think she has a very good chance of a waitlist spot at one of those two schools. But if not Notting Hill and Ealing has a lot of great facilities and it has an extensive bus route.

I would post this over here for more responses

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4739261-sw-london-private-and-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023-part-vi

Thank you so much😊 will do so!

If there’s any hope of you affording fees (I’d be budgeting £50k post tax for two kids) then rest assured you won’t be eligible for a bursary.

Apart from being an amazing school, the good thing about Burntwood is that it always has space. While that might seem odd given the school's reputation it is because of its large size and ability to flex from year to year (no doubt in collaboration with the LA to ensure every young person has a good school to go to). Ironically because it is not oversubscribed it probably puts many parents off. Just shows you need to look at much more than just numbers when you are considering schools.