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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Queens College vs Channing vs out of London school

33 replies

Kittylondon · 15/02/2023 08:24

DD has offers from above. Very pleased but really struggling with the decision since very different choices. We love Queens but obviously less facilities on site; Channing more academic but harder for us to get to; out of London school requires relocation but the facilities are incredible. Also we will have family help with fees so wondering if there will be any discrimination regarding less wealth compared to some of extremely wealthy eg at Queens. Any insights would be very welcome. Would love to release places but we need to reflect.

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redrobin75 · 15/02/2023 09:51

Most out of London secondary private schools have amazing facilities, I guess you are thinking of a Queenswood type of set up. It's a lot to relocate for a school place when you already have 2 options. You may do better to put the out of London school to 1 side and have it as an option for 6th form. Instead focus on journey times with Queens seeming to be your best option.

4pluscraziness1 · 15/02/2023 10:34

I can share my experience, having had offers from both, albeit for 4+. First of all, Channing is much harder to get into, hence better academics. The facilities were definitely nicer in the Channing junior school and the girls who gave us the tour were much more confident and composed. Finally (and please don’t judge me for making this comment, I am just sharing my perspective), the type of parents I saw at Queen’s during the offer holders event definitely weren’t my tribe and put me off. Lots of new money, flashy outfits (and trust me, I do like my nice bags and shoes myself…😅), a very disinterested parent on the parents panel… that said, I know the school is on the up in terms of results and I was very impressed by the Junior School Head (I know the Senior school head is also well regarded). Best of luck in making the right choice!

Original poster
Kittylondon · 15/02/2023 21:34

Thank you, that’s very helpful

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Original poster
Kittylondon · 15/02/2023 21:36

redrobin75 · 15/02/2023 09:51

Most out of London secondary private schools have amazing facilities, I guess you are thinking of a Queenswood type of set up. It's a lot to relocate for a school place when you already have 2 options. You may do better to put the out of London school to 1 side and have it as an option for 6th form. Instead focus on journey times with Queens seeming to be your best option.

Thanks a lot for your advice

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Buru · 16/02/2023 00:02

Am I right that there is no offer holders event at Channing? We hold the offer and thought we would attend the meeting before making the final decision but looks like there is no offer holder event there.

Original poster
Kittylondon · 16/02/2023 09:02

Yes no event. The head said they don’t do them at interview stage. I would like to see facilities again really.

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Buru · 16/02/2023 23:23

Thanks. That’s a pity. Will discuss with my DD and release the place then

Fogcity · 19/02/2023 19:10

@Kittylondon @Buru There are 11+ offer-holders events at Channing - we’re going to one. They don’t mention them in the offer letter, but if you call them up they’ll tell you about them. My daughter is torn between 2 schools and wanted another look before making her decision, which is why I called them up.

Original poster
Kittylondon · 19/02/2023 19:14

Thanks so much. I’ll give them a call.

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Buru · 19/02/2023 20:36

Fogcity · 19/02/2023 19:10

@Kittylondon @Buru There are 11+ offer-holders events at Channing - we’re going to one. They don’t mention them in the offer letter, but if you call them up they’ll tell you about them. My daughter is torn between 2 schools and wanted another look before making her decision, which is why I called them up.

Thank you so much. This is very interesting. Can you please PM me what the event is? We are ready to release that offer but wanted to understand their sibling policy first, as we have two other daughters who we need to find a junior school for

Fogcity · 20/02/2023 08:44

@BuruI don’t know what it involves. I called to ask if we could tour and they gave me details of 4 offer-holder sessions to choose from, for those who, like us are tossing up between multiple offers and want to look around the school again. I think your best bet is to call them up and ask your questions.

CMLSWE · 20/02/2023 19:14

My daughter is at Queen's College (QCL) and it's the most wonderful school. (She went through the Prep School too which was also amazing.) There is much more diversity than its reputation and the Principal Richard Tillett is focussing on the Bursary Appeal to ensure there is a broad socio-economic intake. It is definitely not a school just for the wealthy. Academically, results at QCL are steadily rising, but not achieved at the expense of pupil welfare. They have a lot of PE and go to Paddington Rec to use proper sports grounds. (It is easy to think there is not a lot of sports just because there is no actual facilities on site.) There is also a huge sense of community which you often don't get in a senior school. It is a really special place.

Original poster
Kittylondon · 20/02/2023 22:19

CMLSWE · 20/02/2023 19:14

My daughter is at Queen's College (QCL) and it's the most wonderful school. (She went through the Prep School too which was also amazing.) There is much more diversity than its reputation and the Principal Richard Tillett is focussing on the Bursary Appeal to ensure there is a broad socio-economic intake. It is definitely not a school just for the wealthy. Academically, results at QCL are steadily rising, but not achieved at the expense of pupil welfare. They have a lot of PE and go to Paddington Rec to use proper sports grounds. (It is easy to think there is not a lot of sports just because there is no actual facilities on site.) There is also a huge sense of community which you often don't get in a senior school. It is a really special place.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate you sharing this experience. It is very reassuring.

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DJD70 · 23/02/2023 08:49

Hello. Good luck with your decision making, it's a super stressful time! I have 2 daughters at QCL and couldn't be happier. To your point about wealthy parents. I think you'll have this at any private school to be honest. There will always be pockets of wealthy families, and I'd be willing to wager that's the case at every other school as well. QCL has a fair number of girls on bursary funding (which is set to increase), quite a few who went to their local state primary schools and then of course there's the ones who get dropped off/picked up in nice cars every day. I'd guess that Channing/SHHS/etc all have the private car drop off/pick up group as well.
To your academic point, while Channing may appear to be more academically selective at the 11+ entry, I suppose it's how the girls do throughout their career there that's more important, which unfortunately comes down to test scores! In all honesty, my girls were not hitting their academic stride at 11+, but QCL saw something in them and gave them the opportunity. And they are doing amazingly well now. I think we all want a school that can help our children grow in their own way and be well rounded adults. But given we're also paying fees we want them to do well at school, from my experience that has been the case at QCL.

I'd encourage you to go to both offer holder events, and see how that feels. Not sure what your daughter's view is, but after the event and the afternoon/morning they give to the girls you may both have a better sense of where you think you'll be happiest.
Good luck!

suresure · 23/02/2023 10:54

Well done to your daughter on gaining two offers! I think there are super wealthy outlier families at any private school to be honest. We chose Queens in the end and there are many many ordinary hard-working families, plus a number of bursary pupils. It is a very good mix and my daughter is very happy. I know that Channing had difficulties with leadership during Covid but the headmaster at Queens is brilliant. Being easy to get to is a big plus in your life and your daughter’s life - thinking preschool clubs, after-school clubs and independent travel. Good luck with the choice.

Fogcity · 23/02/2023 11:32

@suresure what were the Channing ‘difficulties with leadership’? Please PM me. We are choosing between QCL and Channing.

CMLSWE · 23/02/2023 13:54

Re the recent 4+ offer holder event at QCPS: I was one of the parents on the panel. I certainly was more dressed up than my usual 'school wardrobe' as I was heading straight from there to a work event. The other two parents on the panel I know well (and have known for years) and they are both quite shy; one of them even said so when she spoke in front of everyone. It can be quite nerve wrecking to be sat at the front of a big group of people.

From my perspective from that event, it was quite a mixture of how people who attended were dressed; from jeans to more dressed up.

From all the 4+ and 11+ events I have attended for my own children over the years as well as participated at at my children's different schools (they are different genders so combined there have been a number of very different schools and areas), the mixture of people and clothing are very similar to the majority of other schools I have seen.

It is important to note that the prep school (QCPS) also has a number of bursary pupils (from Reception and up), and from when my daughter started there, there has been a continuous change socio-economically there too (i.e. not just at Queen's College) including more families where both mums and dads work full time which increased after the introduction of their wrap-around care a number of years ago. (I was a class rep and later was one of the parents running the parents committee at QCPS so I got to know many different families across the entire school over the course of most of my daughter's time there.)

Original poster
Kittylondon · 23/02/2023 18:18

Thank you everyone it is very helpful to have views. We love all three so it is going to be hard to decide although I’m not complaining. Still have some time ..

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NorthernDancer12 · 28/02/2023 13:09

@Kittylondon curious on what you decided? We are totally torn between FHRP and Queens!... Still have a few more days to decide but feeling confused. Travel time is quite similar with 5 - 10 mins between them.

Original poster
Kittylondon · 28/02/2023 14:33

NorthernDancer12 · 28/02/2023 13:09

@Kittylondon curious on what you decided? We are totally torn between FHRP and Queens!... Still have a few more days to decide but feeling confused. Travel time is quite similar with 5 - 10 mins between them.

It's tough isn't it? There were Offers Events at Queens yesterday, did you go? I haven't been to FHRP so its hard for me to comment but we really love Queens. There was a lovely atmosphere and the girls were so happy. The Head fantastic and staff lovely. They really made the events special. And one thing that they don't really push is the history of the place, with many renowned alumnae having attended. I would choose Queens if I were you!

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PSBL · 04/03/2023 21:48

We had the same choice to make and it was very hard due to the differences in the schools. In the end I chose Queen’s due to the welcoming nature of the school and felt it would provide my daughter with a more personalised approach to her learning based on its excellent pastoral infrastructure and the Head who has an invested interest in every student they select . My daughter also identified that Queen’s felt more diverse to her, which she felt was important.
I am happy to say that we are so pleased with our choice, as my daughter is thriving academically and personally, and really feels part of a special school. The head is so incredible at getting the balance right and leads a school which creates a happy, kind and thriving learning environment where all the girls feel seen and valued- what this school lacks in space and amenities, they make up with their amazing sense of community.
There are lots of girls on full bursaries and a full range of families from all over London, which is a benefit of its central location- which makes it a diverse and integrated community- we have a vast range of friends and there is no segregation at all - we absolutely love Queen’s and so happy we chose it in the end.

Original poster
Kittylondon · 05/03/2023 09:25

Thank you so much for your views. We feel the same on all points so I accepted Queens a few days ago! We look forward to joining the community.

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NorthernDancer12 · 05/03/2023 11:26

@Kittylondon we decided on Queens too! :). Our daughter loved the school and we did too - so all votes swung the decision.

Fogcity · 05/03/2023 15:06

We also chose Queen’s over Channing! Our daughter decided!

Original poster
Kittylondon · 05/03/2023 15:29

Great ! See you all in Year 7!

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