Wimbledon High or Surbiton High

[tabbycat4321]

We are in the fortunate position of having two offers for our daughter. One from Wimbledon High and the other from Surbiton High (with an academic scholarship). We are waiting for Tiffin too but we're trying to make a decision on these schools in case Tiffin isn't an option. Commute is around the same for both schools. Does an academic scholarship make a big difference at SH? Does anyone have experience of these schools that could help with our decision. Our daughter is a bright girl but she is quite shy and quiet. She isn't particularly into sports etc. Wondering if the academic scholarship would be an extra boost to her confidence and help her at SH feel as though she is a part of a group, as such. Surbiton is a larger school than WHS however, so not sure if that is better for quieter girls or not. Thanks for any input!

Surbiton is a great school but very sporty - I'm not sure how comfortable or easy to socialise it would be if you weren't sporty - I'd specifically seek out the experience of non-sporty girls at Surbiton if I were you.

Wimbledon great academics and mix of all varieties of bright girl.

We have a DD in Y8 at WHS (did not apply to Surbiton on account of size and dominance of sports in the extra-curricular and culture). Our experience of WHS has been really positive and our DD is really happy there - the cohort is truly diverse in terms of personality snd interests and it is a truly inclusive school where girls are very accepting of each others. The school is academic but not a hot house and the pastoral dimension is very strong.

My DD joined in Y7 and, although she can be shy, has a lovely group of friends that spans different year groups. Other friends (including two with DDs that had offers with scholarships from Surbiton) have similarly positive experiences of WHS.

Hope this is helpful - of course, feel free to PM me if you have any question.

I can give a view as a SHS parent. It doesn't matter if your kid isn't sporty, mine isn't. There is a lot of drama & music for example. Co-curricular, my DD has done drama, art & gardening clubs. She also gets involved in the annual fashion show. I'm pretty sure that the scholars get additional invite only options so that would make a difference and you are right, it will mean she gets to be part of a smaller group. Take a look at their instagram account as you'll see the sports and non sports stuff there. It is 7 form entry and over 3 sites so quite large. That may be a good thing or not, my experience is that it gives more chance for a DC to find their 'tribe'. Go along to both offer days and ask about co-curricular plus 'stretch' for academics. I've been impressed with how SHS keeps the pupils busy with various options and many are not to do with sport. I'm sure both are great schools so it comes down to which one feels right for your DD. Good luck!

Don’t just it based on the scholarship offer at Surbiton - when we went through this process (twice) we were told there were “lots” of scholars in the year and also experienced almost all of dd1 and dd2 friends getting awards for Surbiton. I think they’re used as a marketing tool more than anything else.

I’ve read a few times on here that although Surbiton is famously sporty, it only works if your daughter is excellent at sport, not just fairly good. Apparently the top tier are invested in heavily and everyone else sidelined. So it has a reputation for being a sporty school but if you just want your averagely sporty child to get involved and have matches and development you might be better off elsewhere.

My daughter started Surbiton last September and loves it. She is involved in sports, drama and dance. She is has non sporty friends and sporty friends, all kinds of girls there. We have been very happy with the school. There’s not many scholars, but a few like any other school. They do scholar programs for those girls who have been offered a scholarship. Please message me or ask any questions.

My DD is in SHS for 3 years. She was a shy, introvert girl who loved sports (but not good at all) and music when she joined.
She has loads of chances to join sports teams as they have from A team to H team (like development level). Hence, no matter what levels, you will be able to play in a team and even have fixtures with other schools. Her class almost no one very into or good at sports. Her classmates are very into performing arts like dance or drama. So, whether your DD is sporty or not doesn't matter at all. I feel like SHS is a day school which offers opportunities as many as boarding schools.
The school is big but the communication from the school is very clear and organised. Teachers are very good to identify strengths and weaknesses of every girls.
I am impressed with the super well behaved of all the girls in the school - I never need to worry about who my DD are being with. They are all good. Never heard of bullying nor smoke nor drug etc. As they are getting into teenagers, the pastrol care are getting more important. I give high praise to the school teachers.
Yet, if you want to have more academic competitive environment SHS may not be this type. The school provides supportive but not competitive environment.
3 years now, my shy DD has become a very confident girl who would take initiative to join or organise class or school actives. She has many good friends from different school activities. She is happy everyday in school.