Guildford High vs Wimbledon High vs Nonsuch - help choosing Year 7 please..

[UndecidedParent]

Hello, I'm in the fortunate position of having offers at GHS and WHS and possibly Nonsuch (find out soon!) for our DD. Each of the 3 schools looks excellent but here's the dilemmas:-

• WHS: Great school but 1hr away from our house by train/foot and do I really want to have DD travelling for 2h/day AND doing homework each night? Would probably need to house move. Plus is the education as good as GHS? DD really loves it though, she's really taken to it in the open days...
• GHS: Top school, definite house move needed. Would be crazy to turn it down but DD didn't feel it was very warm. Maybe a one off feeling and would like it once there?
• Nonsuch: Excellent results, free and commutable. But looks like quite a hard school where children are pushed/tutored hard. Worried about whether she'll fit in easily as the school DD is at now is such a cosseting warm environment despite excellent results..

Unfortunately we don't know anyone at these schools so it's all internet research at the moment..

Which would you pick? Is Guildford High a warm caring school ? Does Wimbledon High School produce just as capable a child as GHS? Is my Nonsuch characterisation unfair?

I have a very happy DD at WHS but I think an hour is too far to travel. If your daughter is into music, drama etc as they get older rehearsals will be before and after school. Same for sport.
If you have to move anyway, where would you prefer to live? Nearer Wimbledon or Guildford. More Surrey or more London?
Academically they're not worlds apart so I wouldn't necessarily worry about that.
I don't know anyone at Nonsuch or Guildford so don't know how they are pastorally.
You could always start in Nonsuch and move when she's older?

I agree, if GHS and WHS aren't local then take Nonsuch and move at a later date if need be. There is more movement at the end of year 7 at all these schools than you would expect when going through the process. Also in a few months from now you will know more about vat on schools fees and when it's coming in.

Another WHS mum - DD joined last year and is really happy there. It is a great combination of strong academics and warm environment. As @vivalasviva says, results are very strong and not works apart from GHS and a capable child will get plenty of opportunities and a great environment to do so.
1 hour commute is quite long but there are girls doing it at WHS (and other schools). I assume we are talking door-to-door. Key is how straightforward it is (are changes involved or a straight journey where your DD can relax / read or even revise). Also, given that you would need to move for GHS, you may want to consider doing it for a year to see how it goes and, if so, moving later.
Of course, happy to answer any question re: WHS.

Check out the new thread about Nonsuch on the Education Board - some insights from current & recent parents. We are very happy. Wimbledon high would have been my pick of the privates for DD but she is thriving at Nonsuch.

Thanks all. Minded to go to GHS and move, too god an opportunity to refuse I think...

I have a DD at GHS and I think it is great pastorally. There is a huge focus on topical pastoral issues during their aspire lessons/ tutor time/ assemblies each day, wellbeing week etc.
The head used to be Deputy Head pastoral and it is abundantly clear that the wellbeing of the girls is a huge driver for her. Teaching is excellent and a huge array of extra curricular.

All that being said I agree with pp that if neither WHS or GHS are local, I would be inclined to take your excellent local state option.

Do some research on Nonsuch. We looked at it about 8 years ago and it had a very very toxic vibe. It had had a bit of a roller coaster with a very poor head. Since then I understand it is under new management and may well have improved.

DD went instead to WHS and it was absolutely fabulous but it sounds as though it is too far away for you.

Have you looked at Sutton High. Not quite as academic as WHS and GHS but a nice school with very acceptable results. Might your dd shine if she is towards the top? Not sure of the Head/Management situation there nowadays.

At the end of the day happiness much depends on the cohort making up the year group. DD's at WHS was lovely, the year below were a bunch of vipers.