Does anyone go to CLSG or SHSG? Looking for info on Art and design

[seanderson]

Whilst looking into secondary schools for our daughter I noticed that these two schools were probably the highest achievers in art and D&T which is of great interest to our daughter as we come from an extremely arty family.

She is currently in a local state school in Y5 and is at the mid/lower end of the top sets, but I know that she would struggle to keep up with the academic pace and pressure of these schools just by looking at their academic results, so I guess the questions I have are:

• If she isn't at the top of her sets, is there even any point in getting her to sit the entrance exam?
• Are exceptions made for the very 'arty types' at the school if they aren't performing as well as their more academic peers, or is everyone pushed the same?

Assuming you mean city girls / south Hampstead maybe?

If daughter academic enough to pass the entrance exam / interview and obtain a place then I would assume that performance once there would be assessed and supported in the round. CLSG you need to be more than just top set - it’s the top of the top sets usually.

City don’t do art scholarships at 11+ (which is why we didn’t apply) so there is no opportunity for them to make an exception to usual very high academic standards based on artistic ability.

Not sure on South Hampstead if that is the other school you are referring to. But I assume that if they do offer art scholarships will be only if you are borderline academic that they may take Art ability into account for offers. But it’s another school that it’s not just top set material, but I think slightly less competitive than City.

I would assume that both schools will push hard in the academics regardless given their reputation once there.

FWIW we have an academically able but not academically motivated child who is v strong at art and were drawn to schools that had a good arts programme (less about the marks as at GCSE it’s a bit formulaic, more about facilities and vibe) and a preference for schools with art scholarships available to ensure that there was a balance of academics but also for the school to understand their passions and abilities outside being good a maths / English / whatever they are testing for.

The schools with art scholarships at 11+ Francis Holland Sloane sq, not sure about Regent’s Park one. Emanuel which is coed on Clapham Junction, so kids from st.john woods etc.
Check the art facilities and the art scholarships plus the GCSEs and A levels number of pupils. If only 3 or 5 vs 15 pupils, may make a difference. Check leavers destinations to see those doing creative subjects at universities.

"If she isn't at the top of her sets, is there even any point in getting her to sit the entrance exam"

Top set I assume you mean the upper 30% of a normal London state class in year 5?

I think it is possible for both schools with some preparations.

Yes exactly, top 30% of state school in Y5. But she's not academically motivated even though able, and we are not tiger parents either so would not push her much more than we are doing now. She has a tutor once a week to cover maths and English and has done for over a year, to fill the gaps and increase her confidence and motivation.

Tbh I would say if she’s in the top 30% at a typical state primary, those schools are probably not going to be a good fit for her. Plus you want her to have time to focus on her art in secondary, not worrying about being behind in other subjects. There’s no harm in having her try some practice exams (maybe ask if your tutor could help with this) just to see though, she could surprise you.

Great tip to check number of pupils sitting the subjects - I would imagine the higher the number the better they are?

Clapham would be too far for us. I checked Francis Holland and they don't have a D&T department which I think is crucial for us.

Our state primary is in the top 2% of state schools nationally.... so it's a top performing one... but yes, that is my gut feeling as well... she'd find it a struggle keeping up.