GHS vs Tormead

[tigger2020]

Would love to hear your views! If you were lucky enough to get offers for both (Y7), which would you choose and why? Have visited both - heads were nice but I didn’t feel that inspired somehow… girls who showed us round were very enthusiastic and I do buy into the philosophy of the ‘right school for your child’ but can’t quite make out which that would be!

Did you just get offers from these schools? The acceptance dates have passed long time ago. I only know about GHS - it's a fantastic school, great at almost everything, music, sports, drama etc, not just academics. If your DD is academic enough she'll be fine and be encouraged in all directions.
Heard great things about Tormead too. Lots of great schools in that area.

@tigger2020 , can you explain the context of your enquiry? Are you sitting on two offers for year 7 starting in September?

I've heard Tormead is full for Year 7 in Septemebr now and I very much imagine GHS is full too.

The reason why they are both full - in such crazy, turbulent times, with VAT bearing down on parents, is that they are both outstanding schools, which are popular and financially strong. They are reliable, solid, choices.

Of course they're different in some ways, GHS has a higher academic end result than Tormead as is well known, but the Tormead value add, reputation for excellent pastoral care and still very good results, especially compared to other local schools, makes it very popular too.

All in all they are both great and you won't regret choosing either I would imagine! And, unfortunately, is really is 'what fits your DD', so you'll just have to work that out.

Thanks for your replies. I am just thinking hypothetically down the line... so if anyone has direct experience of both that would be helpful? Or was in a position to choose between the two and can explain what swung it for them? (Appreciate we might not get into either!)

I think, apart from many the very remote chance of a disgruntled parent at either school, you're likely to hear good things on both.

I had a DD at one and DS elsewhere but knew friends at the other.

Both really good schools, one has a strong Aademic reputation as its USP, the other has Pastoral Care and value add. GHS being the former and Tormead the latter. Tormead, however, is academically strong too, and outperforms most other local independent schools anyway.

Both offer great extras and extracurricular.

Don't know much about new head of GHS, but I'm sure she's great - the school is the pride and joy, flagship school, of united learning, so regardless, they'll be keeping a close eye on it to make sure it does well - a good thing in this current climate, I would suggest! Tormead head been there maybe 5 years now and has transformed the place, it's well and truely on the map in the region and seems to move forward every year. Solid numbers, aparently full for this year despite the challenges of VAT are a good indication that its reputation is strong.

Girls nice at both schools.

Both great transport links and close ties to boys schools for extracurricular, expecially in sixth form. Tormead has recent acquired a great little prep school with a nursery, not surenif that's of any use to you.

I would suggest go visit both and see how you feel about them. Ultimately you do have to get in, yes, but it's also about what your DD likes when she visits.

Good luck.