Y7 entry - GHS-Tormead-St Cats

[SchoolDilemma17]

We have one DD in a state primary in the Guildford area. She is in Y5, very academic, exceeds age related expectations in all subjects and we are looking at private secondary schools in our area. And have started prepping for Y11 exam. My DH and I will visit the schools in spring.
DD is also musical (plays one instrument and likes singing), sporty-ish (dance, swimming) but not so keen on team sports.

We know a girl at GHS and know a couple of girls who have been at Tormead. We have also been at St Cat’s once but don’t know much about the school. Our DD would not be a boarder so maybe we shouldn’t consider it.

would love views on those schools, experiences, other schools we should consider (Prior’s Field?), and advice for entrance exams?
we are slighly biased towards GHS for obvious reasons but interested to hear other views.

I know a family at GHS. Both girls have come up through the prep, so can’t pass comment on Y7 entrance exams etc. It’s a good school, the transition to Y7 though even from their prep was huge and they seem to put a lot of pressure on the girls re homework etc from the start. Lots of extra curricular activities and both do swimming and music so lots of opportunities there. Pastoral care has been very good in their experience, with bullying etc being dealt with quickly and appropriately. However it does seem to have a high % of pushy competitive parents in their experience, which I guess is expected for one of the top schools in the country!

Thanks, interesting feedback. I know one very bright and well grounded teenage girl from GHS, she is so polite and clever. I also know one family who had two girls at GHS (both adult women now) who both did very well afterwards.

I would say I am fairly pushy in an academic sense but not super competitive. I would love for DD to get in, but will try and not get my hopes up.

DD would love lots of extracurricular activities, they are not very good at her current school and we have to drive to lots of external clubs and activities.

DSD was very happy at Tormead. Made lovely friends, enjoyed getting involved in a wide range of activities and did very well academically. The teachers were excellent and it felt very caring and supportive.

My daughter is at Prior’s Field and she is thriving we absolutely love the school you should definitely consider it! She has lot of friends and the music department have loads of opportunities for the girls to perform

Can I just say that in my experience of GHS (DD year 8) it is really low key with homework and not pushy at all! I think the girls are taught how to learn and that it is all very well thought out and balanced E..g tests always before holidays and iPads handed in over holidays and no holiday work.
Pastoral care is really good in my experience and teaching is excellent.
It is a busy school and I think you need to be a child who loves to learn and is curious.
I would really recommend it.

My daughter has been at 2 of these schools mentioned. Do not under play logistics especially if you have more than one child - there is the sports 7:45 lax and the musicals and the away days / choir blah blah

See where your daughter gets into and decide. Ghs is only if you can get her there / walk or the trains. Lots of extra activities where its compulsory to be there 😬 The other 2 has bus services which are fab. Otherwise you get an emergency call pick me up if your dependent on the trains

Musical does not equal one instrument- sorry but generally the musical girls have 2 instruments plus singing at grade 6 or above! Some girls / parents are in love with it all. I was truly surprised by the amount of instruments / grades for musicals. (My daughter doesn’t care about that bit though)

Teams - they cherry pick the best players in all schools - not the best you won’t be playing weekly … all schools want to win and you will be expected to drop at school / coach or even drive 1.5 hrs every sat if your daughter wants to do sport.

St Cats is religious though chapel every week - depends on your view point.

PF the bottom of the barrel (that was the last resort /back up school) ghs at the top end - depends where your daughter sits ….

Don't underestimate logistics of school and home distance though! As there is LOTS of out of school activities

Good luck

Thanks for the feedback. GHS is actually our closest school, we are a short driving distance away, we don’t have to rely on trains. Same for Tormead.

St Cath furthest and we are not religious and it’s nearly a deal breaker for DH.

DD is not into teams sports, so unlikely to get picked. I hope 🤣