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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

The Grey Coat Hospital

20 replies

5daysleft · 03/03/2025 22:57

My daughter has a language place at the Grey Coat Hospital and I’d love to hear from some current parents with their daughters’ experiences.

I have read some other threads but PM is still disabled so I’m hoping some previous posters might be able to give me an update on how it’s going for them.

My daughter has been lucky to also receive offers from top 5 indies but she would love to go to GCH as she says she wants a new challenge (currently at a private prep). She is academically able, creative, musical and sporty and likes to do things differently.

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Jlack · 04/03/2025 02:23

Congrats to you and your daughter. We found out at 5pm, and I’m not sure if it has really sunk in, and nothing really surprises me these days (put it down to old age).

Based on the odds (especially this year with the additional demands due to VAT), We’ve ruled GCHS and planned the independent schools for yr 7-8 and 13+ over the weekend, but this offer threw a spanner into the works. It’s definitely a good problem to have. Lol

I’ve only heard good things about GCHS. Feedback from a mum with her daughter currently in year 7 is very positive, and my Daughter’s current Head Teacher will tell us it’s a no brainier (or we’re crazy not too), just as she told the said mum this time last year, even if there are offers from very good/top independent schools.

I was at the open day, and what impressed was their effort of inclusiveness by helping all pupils to participate in trips (and activities), even if their families can’t afford it. It’s setting the right culture, one that I’m more than happy to have my daughter share and advocate as she traverse this phase of her education.

Original poster
5daysleft · 04/03/2025 19:25

@Jlack Are you going for a boarding school at 13+? Might you choose GHC now that you have the offer?

It’s great that you’ve heard good things. We’re also really impressed with the school but don’t know any students there and would love to get more of a flavour.

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Jlack · 04/03/2025 23:54

Long story short, we gave our word to our daughter if she knuckled down with 3 weeks left for the test/interview day, and gets an offer from the boarding school (in her top 3), we'll seriously consider and send her there even if there are offers from day schools in London. This intervention was after two disappointments of not getting an invitation after the pre-tests for the other preferred schools.

The difference in fees from the local independent school vs the boarding school is roughly 70%, but with the GCHS place, the delta is astronomical, relatively speaking. Lol

We are still getting some feedback discussing the pros vs cons with the offers we have, but in all likelihood she'll go to GCHS for years 7 & 8, and if her heart is still set for boarding school come year 9, then the option will be there for her to take up.

Original poster
5daysleft · 05/03/2025 07:10

That sounds like a good solution. I was actually thinking yesterday that it would be good to have a 13+ offer in the bag.

What was GCH like on the open day? We didn’t make it unfortunately and I’ve been trying to get a tour but unsurprisingly they’re very busy now! Does your daughter have a language place?

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Jlack · 05/03/2025 10:31

@5daysleft - GCH it is the best state school this country has to offer according to our current head teacher. Big claim, but it's all positive feedback.

As for the Open Day, it's not as well rehearsed as say some independent schools due to the number of people (students and parents) that was there. The school is deceptively bigger than we imaged from the outside. There's plenty of space and decent facilities. I don't recall the full details when it comes to co-curricular, but my impression was they do try to cater for a broad variety of activities. My overall take away from the visit was GCHS has the constraints of a state funded school, but striving to be as good, if not better than an independent school.

My daughter received a place from the Open application pool.

Original poster
5daysleft · 06/03/2025 08:45

Wow - that is a bold claim. Thanks for your impressions of the open day.

I think we’re going to take the place. Have you decided?

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Jlack · 12/03/2025 16:58

Hi @5daysleft - Yes, we've accepted the offer and I've completed the process today.

Nkmama15 · 14/09/2025 09:05

What was the language like?

Original poster
5daysleft · 14/09/2025 18:36

As others have said the test used a made up language to test the girls’ aptitude for learning another language. I think that girls who are good at recognising patterns and intuitively understand grammatical patterns will do well. We didn’t do any kind of prep for it and I don‘t get the impression that other girls in her form did either.

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Nkmama15 · 14/09/2025 19:30

My daughter speaks two languages, I thought may help her but she’s not keen to do as she’s not a girl who likes the unknown… I wanted to encourage her as she maybe surprised at what she knows

Original poster
5daysleft · 14/09/2025 21:12

She might as well give it a go. There’s nothing to lose. She really doesn’t need any knowledge though speaking two languages might help with the intuition. My daughter thought it was fun! Just like solving a puzzle.

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Mumtoholliemydarling · 02/10/2025 06:28

Hello- does anyone have any info on the upper school building??? After year 9 they move to this but videos, photos and the tours only show us the lower school!!!

NatZh · 03/10/2025 11:55

5daysleft · 03/03/2025 22:57

My daughter has a language place at the Grey Coat Hospital and I’d love to hear from some current parents with their daughters’ experiences.

I have read some other threads but PM is still disabled so I’m hoping some previous posters might be able to give me an update on how it’s going for them.

My daughter has been lucky to also receive offers from top 5 indies but she would love to go to GCH as she says she wants a new challenge (currently at a private prep). She is academically able, creative, musical and sporty and likes to do things differently.

Congratulations to your daughter! Any insight on the language test your daughter shared? My daughter will be taking this test next year and I'd love to help her and provide her with some tips to come her nerves. Thanks so much for any info you can share.

Original poster
5daysleft · 08/10/2025 00:15

Apparently the test was fun - it was a made up language and you had to look for patterns in the spelling and grammar. She did no prep but I imagine that children who like puzzles etc would do well. Good luck!

PS We have accepted the place and are currently very happy.

OP posts:
Uninem · 12/10/2025 23:09

5daysleft · 08/10/2025 00:15

Apparently the test was fun - it was a made up language and you had to look for patterns in the spelling and grammar. She did no prep but I imagine that children who like puzzles etc would do well. Good luck!

PS We have accepted the place and are currently very happy.

Thanks for the update! So glad your daughter is happy in the school!! I am reading old posts/info regarding GCH as soon we will have to decide on whether to have it as our first choice, so it gives reassurance to know you were considering multiple schools, including private, and you are happy with your choice. It’s such a big decision to take at this early age! Thanks x

FitnessIsTheOnlyWealth · 23/10/2025 18:32

My DD sat the language aptitude test 10 days ago. Does anyone know when the results are expected? The school hasn’t committed to any specific date but I’m assuming we will know before they break up for half-term.
Or has anyone had results yet for this autumn?

cpsym · 24/10/2025 12:26

FitnessIsTheOnlyWealth · 23/10/2025 18:32

My DD sat the language aptitude test 10 days ago. Does anyone know when the results are expected? The school hasn’t committed to any specific date but I’m assuming we will know before they break up for half-term.
Or has anyone had results yet for this autumn?

My daughter and a few classmates sat it as well. One of us received a letter yesterday. It was dated 22 October and sent 1st class post so we should all get it soon 😊

FitnessIsTheOnlyWealth · 24/10/2025 14:18

cpsym · 24/10/2025 12:26

My daughter and a few classmates sat it as well. One of us received a letter yesterday. It was dated 22 October and sent 1st class post so we should all get it soon 😊

Show quote history

Thank you for the update, and good luck!

Uninem · 29/10/2025 08:29

Could anyone be so kind to let me know if, for the Y7, there is an entry day ahead of the official start date? Or will the new students start at the same time as the other years? Are there any special days in the summer when the new families meet up? If so, would these be outside of summer holidays? Many thanks in advance!

Original poster
5daysleft · 29/10/2025 18:56

There is an admissions afternoon at the end of June where there’s a service, the girls sign the Grey Coat admissions book and the girls meet their form tutors and classmates. There’s also a BBQ and an opportunity to meet other parents and to buy second hand uniform. The school lay down the law a bit during this event presumably to ensure good behaviour at the beginning of September and from what I’ve heard the behaviour is really good.

I think the Year 7 girls also started school a day before most of the other years. Our experience has been that they settle in and make friends very quickly.

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