Views on Woldingham School

[Giles81]

DD has just started in 6th form at this lovely leafy girls school.

the former head has left without much explanation, presumably to do with a failed inspection, and a new interim head has been appointed rather suddenly

should I be concerned?

are there other Woldingham parents who can weigh in

I hadn’t realised he had left. It’s a shame as he brought a renewed sense of Catholicism to the school that had been missing.

They don’t market themselves as being particularly Catholic. No preferential treatment for catholic applicants for example!

Left is putting it mildly. They failed a safeguarding inspection, and he’s disappeared into thin air.

he’s been scrubbed from the website as if he never existed

That was my experience too

I know some parents weren't happy about the increased religious focus and the changes made to PHSE

A shame - it is a Catholic school, Sacred Heart ethos and so there should be an emphasis on Catholic values. Many friends spoke very highly of him when he was at another school so it’s disappointing that he has moved on.

He was sacked from a previous headship apparently 🤷‍♂️

At Downside?

This is really unpleasant gossip. Should be deleted.

are you a Woldingham parent?

I’m told by another actual parent It’s a matter of public record.

Hello, hopping on this thread as I have a DD starting in Woldingham in September but was a bit concerned by the recent league table performance. Have the standards changed in terms of academics/teaching quality? Will appreciate any thoughts on this.

Gotten better you would assume after the last buffoon

A girl I know recently left. Nothing to do with the head, but found it rather bitchy. I’m sure that’s not uncommon in girls’ schools.

Hi, does anyone have any updated feedback on Woldingham ? I know the new head arrived in 2024. How is she perceived? What direction is she taking the School? Considering it for our daughter- live in Southwest London so it would be a flexi boarding would love to hear from others that are at the School currently. She is quite shy but very sporty good at music and languages generally pretty academic but needs material to be presented in an interesting way otherwise gets really bored and disengaged although I’m pretty sure that’s most kids she’s not overly competitive with academics so does need to be pushed a bit . pastoral cast super important for us.

It’s barely a Catholic school anymore if that’s important to you.

Good if you’re looking for a day, flexi-boarding and maybe weekly boarding experience. Definitely not for full boarding as it empties out. Pastoral care is good, academics - not pushy until year 10 when GCSE curriculum starts. Even with that, it’s not a hothouse. Focus is on value added and intake is varied. I’m not sure it’s suitable for a shy girl though. You definitely get some of the cattiness that comes with an all-girls school near London. The school however does its best to address such situations when reported. Will suggest you visit with your daughter and see how you both feel about it.

Thank you both for your feedback. Not worried about the Catholic aspect. I’m glad that it has that ethos but we are not catholic.I’m hoping it means less of the Woke ideology that is prevalent in so many other schools so I see it as a positive. We are coming to the open day in two weeks time so will really help but I have gone to see it myself already. Definitely don’t want the cattiness however I do feel that’s prevalent everywhere with girls. We mainly considering it because they were supposed to be known to be hot on pastoral care definitely looking for just Flexi boarding coming from Clapham Junction what is the teaching like? I hear they are streamed from the beginning is that quite effective to meet varying academic profiles ? DD
is pretty able just not quite ready to grow up yet a bit young for her age