TGS vs HBS

[Secondaryspectator]

Hello,
I was wondering if someone could throw light on which is better option assuming there is no limitation on relocation? Visited both schools and I liked the small class of HBS and suburb location. Having said that TGS appealed more because of its location and option to go private in 6th form. So wondering as a school which one is rated high from academics and pressure on kids. Thanks

Would you like to enlighten the parts of Mumsnet that don’t know whether you are talking about Henrietta Barnett School and Tiffin Girls School, or are located outside London and talking about two completely different schools?

it’s the problem with TLAs (Three Letter Acronyms)….

Also, has your DC taken the examinations, have they visited the schools and expressed anpreference, or is your DC two or three and you’re trying to research way in advance (hint: schools can change a LOT in 5-7 years)

Sorry for acronyms. We have taken exams in both though we have visited only TGS. HBS open day was sold out very fast. Also you can only judge so much in open day and kids at 10 years old aren’t great at making decisions and they need help. Now that we have 2 weeks for CAF form deadline, hence the question . Thanks

so it is those London schools you are talking about, OP?

They are both academcally excellent hence the stiff competition to get in!
I don’t have DC there so can’t comment from personal experience.
Probably more useful if you can explain what you are looking for yourself (if you don’t feel DD preferred one over another, and didn‘t feel one would suit her better)

Which is easiest to get to?

My DD is one trick poney. Doesn’t do much apart from studying. So I felt like HBS would suit her more as I felt Tiffins had more pupils and hence more versatile and might make her feel inferior. Since she is our first , we are outside catchment for both schools. So relocation is not an issue. Thanks

Why would one school stop your DD option to go privare in sixth form?

Not sure what you mean here but we don’t want to go near private after already experienced private in primary and we have learnt our lesson

Having said that TGS appealed more because of its location and option to go private in 6th form.

That is what you said

What do you mean relocation is not an issue? They are completely opposite sides of London. Are you planning on relocating nearer to whichever one your DD goes to? Or will she have a long commute either way?

Sorry I overlooked it. Yeah it’s like a soft requirement in case things go south. Not hard requirement. I see good colleges near Kingston like kings college, Mathematics school etc. hence that was potential plus

Yes planning to relocate nearer to HBS if we get seat in March. We are allready closer to TGS and hence that’s not an issue

I thought Tiffin required applicants to live within a set area before they could sit exams.

King's maths school is not a private sixth form

They have inner catchment and designated catchment. Designated catchment is quite huge and covers quite a lot of postcodes

i thought they’ve only admitted girls from the inner catchment area for the last few years as it’s so oversubscribed?

No. I think it’s Upto 60 or 80 for inner and rest is from designated.

I've seen that said a lot on MN, but on this link on their website, it looks like there have been some designated area admissions over the last few years. https://fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/tiffingirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/11143609/Patterns-of-Admission-2022-24.pdf

Look at 5.1.2.2 https://fra1.digitaloceanspaces.com/tiffingirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/16112307/The-Tiffin-Girls-School-Determined-Admissions-Arrangements-for-entry-September-2024.pdf
Not more than 60 from inner area gets priority

I know parents whose girls have been very happy at Tiffin Girls, but I think it mainly suits very driven, very resilient girls. The pressure is high and a lot of girls have tutors to help keep up with the pace.