NLCS v Godolphin and Latymer

[gabisunicorn]

DD got offers from both schools (+ a few others which we are not considering, as these two are our top choices), however we are torn! Currently we live in SW3 area, so NLCS means we'll have to move up North - though location is the only drawback for NLCS, otherwise it's DD's dream school, as their music department is really nice. Godolphin also has a nice reputation/ranking, however DD preferred NLCS over it...

Anyone who'got DDs in either school able to offer advice? My DD is hardworking but not the Alpha female type of person, really likes maths and music. Thank you in advance!

I think respecting DD's preference is very important for her life in next seven years. It should be worth moving if you can.

I have worked in both schools and if I was choosing for my dd I would pick G&L every time. Especially for the non alpha girl.

@southbailey what makes you say that please? I'm asking because have an offer from NLCS and we love the school (however we're closer to CLSG so probably will choose that). Any insights very welcome

OP, anecdotally, we have friends with DD in the NLCS junior school and it appears heavy on the homework/ tutoring front. Very ambitious parents

Please read some of the other threads on NLCS that me and some other NLCS parents have commented on. We have gone into quite a bit of detail which is hopefully useful. We could not be happier (in a nutshell) and really do not recognise some of the comments above.

We have been at NLCS for a few years, we actually found the homework in years 7,8,9 to be quite light. We are now in year 10 and I do not know of any child who is having external tutoring. We love the school too.

G&L is a fantastic school. Your daughter is very lucky. Why would you want to move to attend NLCS? That would be bizarre.

How do you find the Chinese language requirement at G&L that another thread at Mumsnet talked about?

Mandarin is mandatory for year 7 pupils.
Some love it and continue; most don't.

This is one my concerns about the school. Forcing girls to learn a difficult language for one year may be just discouraging and wasting their time.

It's a 55 minute lesson once a week & although my daughter dropped it she found it fun & interesting...more so than the many many other subjects she'll drop before GSCE. It's nothing at all to even stress about - all of Y7 is about settling in & finding your feet. There's no 'waste of time' per se.

As @beautifulyoungmind says, no-one sees this as a 'waste of time'.
@UKMum2021, 'forcing' is a wonderfully emotive word to use in this context.

However, you may be interested to know that all girls have to take the three individual sciences at GCSE...!

Your DD’s opinion is the most important because she is the one who passed the exam and is going to the school for next 7 years. If it is her dreaming school and you once allowed her to take exam, it would be great if you can respect her opinion and at least try to move closer to the school. Please take a look houses around the school and check if it is affordable and commutable to your office etc.

Personally I had never allowed my DCs to take exam somewhere they cannot commute from house because relocation is not an option for us as we have three DCs and cannot move for one child.

Good luck for your decision💐

My daughter takes mandarin at NLCS, she’s taking it did GCSE and intends to for IB or Alevel.
it’s optional at NLCS, but latin in mandatary for 2 years.

So which one did you choose in the end?

We chose NLCS :)

Hello! We are in a similar position. Are you happy with NLCS?