CLC Cheltenham Ladies College - An academic hothouse that's difficult to get into??!

[choccywockydoodah]

Hello
My dd would be entering LC1 as a day girl in 2025 when she's 11. I was wondering if anyone may have any information on how difficult the entrance exam is and how much competition there is for a day girl place?
Also, is it really the academic hothouse that I'm being warned about? I've had various opinions given to me (some invited, others not so much so 😉), suggesting that she may feel academically and social status-wise out of her depth. She's not taking the 11+ as I'm not keen on the local grammar school option (pastorally not very strong), and she'd definitely benefit from a smaller class size as her confidence can be an issue. She's great at English/writing/ reading but average at maths. She is a free spirited, inquisitive, passionate deep thinker and I felt CLC embraced those qualities - from the impression we have so far, anyway. We've been round the college and really loved the atmosphere, the girls all seem very happy and found the Principle so inspiring. We're not a rich family, but have inherited some family money and feel it would be an amazing opportunity for her. Also, if anyone knows anything about the inclusivity of the day girls i.e are they made to feel in any way inferior being non-boarders?
Thank you so much 😊

I have responded to this post because nobody else has, firstly to suggest you are not keen on Pates Grammar where my Foster Daughter attends is daft. The academic standards and pastoral care attained and received by the pupils far outstrip 90% of Private schools. Secondly you obviously are quite well off even if you have acquired an inheritance of at least £ 200 K. This being the minimum amount that will be required to pay 7 years as a day pupil at CLC. In your position of not being able to view circa £200 k as a expensive outlay but not more than 5-10% of total family assets surely an in-vestment of £200 K in a property would be a more sensible approach.

This as Pates is absolutely outstanding as a school if your daughter was lucky enough to get a place . Denmark Road High in Gloucester is a school I know through personal and family associations over 30 years, it offers a traditional girls grammar vibe and also excellent.

Finally, I would bet that Pates Grammar outperforms CLC at A Level and also it offers a rounded elite education. The ultra elite one offered at CLC in my experience can make some of the ex alumni very nice but totally out of touch. This was evidenced when a long time friend an ex CLC girl could not grasp my Foster Daughters initial struggles adapting to her new surroundings.

I wasn’t referring to Pates, but thanks for your reply

I know it’s supposed to be a lovely school, I have two friends who have had DDs board there. But I do think there is a bit of them and us when it comes to boarders and day girls. I think the girls who board really do form very tight bonds, for obvious reasons. Look carefully at the numbers and how they mix the girls up

Great advice, and much appreciated

CLC is very strong academically, as nearly all of the really expensive private schools are nowadays. But I think it's fair to say that its defining characteristic is still the price tag, and what that means for the intake. I should think there's a significant risk of someone from a 'regular' background feeling out of their depth socially.

It IMO occupies a bit of a funny position in the town, with c80% of the girls being boarders, and there being such an academically strong state option on the doorstep.

Thank you for your reply. I did ask the question regarding boarders mixing and they reassured me that they make lots of efforts to include the day girls.
Would love to know how difficult the exam is though? If anyone can let me know, if they have experience of sitting it?

My daughter is a boarder in LC2 at CLC. They do get very good results but I don't think I consider it an academic hothouse. It feels very well rounded. Yes, the girls have high expectations of themselves (as do many parents) but no more than at any high achieving school. I would imagine Pates or other local grammers are more intense (and have heard so from friends with kids in them)

I think the day girls have enough of a cohort to not feel like outsiders. My daughter actually has a lot of friends who are day girls (and prefers them to boarders sometimes - unfortunately).

If you like the feel of the school then go for it! My daughter is definitely not an academic genius but didn't find the entrance exam that difficult. Do some prep for it of course. I am not sure if they are doing CEM screeners for the intial pass now, but good to familiarise with how those tests work if your daughter has never seen one. Being open and enthusiastic and ready to get involved will be good in the assessment process.

I know two adults who went there and they are both lovely. One in particular has been my best friend in the street for years. She is 85 though, so I'm not sure if it helps. She really is so nice though.

@choccywockydoodah my DD sat the exam a few years back. It wasn’t that tricky for her but she was applying for a boarding place. I think there is much more competition for a day place. It is a full boarding school so bear in mind that’s all your free Saturdays bar two per term gone for the next five years at least. Having just done Saturday school for sixth form only, I can confirm it is a massive PITA.

I know someone whose dd went there. Lovely school but I think it really is more about what you can pay than entrance exams.

Their 11+ is manageable. All the schools have moved to Pre-Test followed by interviews and English+Maths papers.
Maybe do some prep work on comprehension and creative writing for the English part. I always think reading lots of books is the best way to prepare for English exams.

My DD has got through a full bursary for the LC3 exam.How are the houses and which house is the best? My DD is inclined to St Helen's and St Austins.
Any information about these two?

Congrats for your daughter.

My daughter will be in LC3 next year. She started in LC1 and is at Glenlee. We absolutely love Glenlee. The community is very nice. There is a new house mistress starting next year and they all have met her and like her. And two dogs coming! It's right next door to the health and fitness centre so very convenient for clubs etc...

She says of the two houses you mentioned she recommends St Helen's.

Mainly because the cohort is very nice. House mistress is well regarded. Lots of academic scholars in St Helen's.

She is less fond of St Austin's. She feels the cohort hasn't gelled as well as the other house.

You should try and tour the houses if you can.

Bumping this thread because we went to the open day a few weeks ago and loved it. I wasn’t expecting to be so blown away by it and we now think it is the best option for our DD.

Can anyone with a daughter currently there tell me how supportive they are pastorally? The open day made it seem like a very supportive, nurturing place but it is always good to get an inside perspective.

Thank you so much for the valuable input we have been trying to more information about the school. This input has been valuable in providing us with information about the school. Thank you for reaching out to me!

@DilettanteMum

We heard good things about the pastoral care - especially in comparison to some of the competitors - which is one of the reasons we were keen on CLC.

I have been mostly pleased with it. There have definitely been some issues that needed help with pastoral regarding my daughter and I feel they handle it well.

Girls this are pretty brutal 😅

Has anyone else heard rumour that Head EJ-Y is thinking of calling it a day?

No! Where did you hear that?

Hi Congratulations to your DD! How wonderful. My DD is about to sit on test and bursary assessment for the LC1 next year 2025. May I ask for advise on which subjects to revise and other preparations to be successful please. Thank you in advance, appreciate it! x x