St James senior girls school - London

HawaiiWake · 17/09/2025 09:34

Is this for 11+? One school is not enough in London. Check out goodschoolguide.co.uk and londonpreprep.com. If your daughter is at an all girls primary are they suggesting only girls secondary? Worth checking coed schools? Check out open days and more schools options. If they only suggested one school, please do more research it doesn’t seems very good in-depth options may have be given to you. Local is not important at secondary as kids transport cover a wider range.

Original poster

Nkmama15 · 17/09/2025 13:18

HawaiiWake · 17/09/2025 09:34

Is this for 11+? One school is not enough in London. Check out goodschoolguide.co.uk and londonpreprep.com. If your daughter is at an all girls primary are they suggesting only girls secondary? Worth checking coed schools? Check out open days and more schools options. If they only suggested one school, please do more research it doesn’t seems very good in-depth options may have be given to you. Local is not important at secondary as kids transport cover a wider range.

Many have been recommended- state and private options , just this particular school I do not know much about .

in terms of location, it’s fairly important to us. I do not deem appropriate or necessary to have 1+ hour commute each way… we live central so even going around our borough will take 40 + mins on tube etc.

OP posts:

HawaiiWake · 17/09/2025 16:30

Travel for secondary schools - do check bus, tube and overground options. Sometimes on the map it may seem close but 45 mins and only one way to get there can be annoying with current bus and tube strikes. Also, maiin traffic conditions around Olympia area since new coed Wetherby senior school is opening up nearby.

Seasaltlady · 21/09/2025 13:52

Also be aware that St James Senior girls ‘may’ be turning co-ed from 2027, leaving the London Consortium and the head is definitely changing. Heard this through a friend who attended the open day yesterday. Big changes ahead.

Original poster

Nkmama15 · 21/09/2025 16:08

Seasaltlady · 21/09/2025 13:52

Also be aware that St James Senior girls ‘may’ be turning co-ed from 2027, leaving the London Consortium and the head is definitely changing. Heard this through a friend who attended the open day yesterday. Big changes ahead.

Thanks - that’s helpful!

I have booked onto the open day …

OP posts:

Seasaltlady · 21/09/2025 17:21

Nkmama15 · 21/09/2025 16:08

Thanks - that’s helpful!

I have booked onto the open day …

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You are welcome! Has anyone else heard of any other girl’s schools going Co-ed?

MintPrincess · 25/09/2025 15:23

St James is an absolutely lovely school. Very small, but nurturing and good results even though they're not too pressured or demanding on academics. Many Oxbridge and Russell Group destinations as well. The teachers are brilliant and supportive. But the food is absolutely terrible — it's not that it's vegetarian, it's just really bad. The current head is thankfully leaving, and the new incoming head sounds great (she's a former teacher at the school).

Original poster

Nkmama15 · 25/09/2025 19:05

MintPrincess · 25/09/2025 15:23

St James is an absolutely lovely school. Very small, but nurturing and good results even though they're not too pressured or demanding on academics. Many Oxbridge and Russell Group destinations as well. The teachers are brilliant and supportive. But the food is absolutely terrible — it's not that it's vegetarian, it's just really bad. The current head is thankfully leaving, and the new incoming head sounds great (she's a former teacher at the school).

Thank you !

my daughter is dyslexic but very into dance, drama and singing. I just want her to be in a happy school where she doesn’t feel her best isn’t good enough. I also like some state schools but they are just so pushy for the results

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SWsix · 08/10/2025 20:35

I actually only know the prep school at St James’, but the big changes are in response to parents requests mainly, I think, and everyone is pretty excited about this. Earsby Street will use sports facilities at Ashford. Also there are at least two (possibly more) children in the Prep who are currently in West End musicals. The music, dance, drama and art departments are phenomenal. It’s a very happy place.

Nutmegtree · 09/10/2025 10:28

MintPrincess · 25/09/2025 15:23

St James is an absolutely lovely school. Very small, but nurturing and good results even though they're not too pressured or demanding on academics. Many Oxbridge and Russell Group destinations as well. The teachers are brilliant and supportive. But the food is absolutely terrible — it's not that it's vegetarian, it's just really bad. The current head is thankfully leaving, and the new incoming head sounds great (she's a former teacher at the school).

I looked around the school last year and loved it. However, I am concerned to hear about the head leaving and what this means for the school, especially reading here that there are changes ahead. I wonder if you might have any more information about why there is a change of head ? And what sort of changes the current parents have been requesting? Thank you for your helpful insights.

11plusconfused · 11/11/2025 12:23

Nutmegtree · 09/10/2025 10:28

I looked around the school last year and loved it. However, I am concerned to hear about the head leaving and what this means for the school, especially reading here that there are changes ahead. I wonder if you might have any more information about why there is a change of head ? And what sort of changes the current parents have been requesting? Thank you for your helpful insights.

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The head is leaving because she took the school in a different direction and it deteriorated very quickly. Eg they stopped supporting neurodiverse kids and became more focussed on 6th form. The governors have stepped in to try to bring back to its roots and core values . The new head is ex student and ex teacher so very familiar with the ethos

ThatNoisyZebra · 12/11/2025 09:59

My daughter had an offer from here at 11+ along with others, but chose Queensgate and is thriving there. It's small, but lots of attention for the girls, and she seems very happy.

Buru · 24/11/2025 00:37

Nkmama15 · 17/09/2025 07:27

Hello

my daughters school recommended SJ for her . Whilst I’m local to it , I know nothing about the school , nor know no one who attended/attends. Can anyone provide any information or opinions?

thanks

Is there a particular reason why this school was recommended to your daughter? We had a similar recommendation a while ago, but it was evident that the teachers just didn't know whether my DD would be able to get into a more selective school. I understand the school is fine as a safety net option.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 24/11/2025 01:14

Is St James the one where they do meditation and are silent in the corridors?! If it is, then from the family I know the parents are rather keener on that than the girls.

Depending where you are exactly Queens Gate and More House would be worth a look.