11+ independent schools decision (LEH vs KGS)

[EtvaLee]

Seeking some insight for a difficult 11+ decision! We are currently choosing between Lady Eleanor Holles (Academic Scholarship) and Kingston Grammar (Music Scholarship).

We generally prefer Co-Ed and a less 'hot house' atmosphere but at the same time value intellectual and academic challenge. She is a budding scientist who loves Maths and Physics. We want to ensure she is academically stretched in STEM.

Our daughter is a keen swimmer, loves the idea of Lacrosse (Malory Towers influence!), and want to try rowing. We live in Twickenham and aren't moving.

Would love to hear from current parents at either school! Thank you!

Are groups of clever women necessarily dramatic hothouses? I think there are a couple of sexist tropes lurking in there. Why does nobody ever ask a coed school if it’s a hothouse, yet they freely ask this of girls’ schools.

@EtvaLee the academic scholarship is secure. She gets it all through to the end of sixth form and she isn’t required to do anything or take specific subjects at GCSE to maintain it.
For academic scholars at LEH they hold something called 42 club which is once a month after school. They are encouraged to attend but not obliged. At each meeting they get a presentation on something interesting. Recent topics have included child language acquisition, paradoxes, cryptic crosswords, aerodynamics and epic poetry. The idea is just to expose a group of very bright girls to a range of interesting topics.
There are also essay competitions which they’re encouraged to enter but again it’s not a requirement. My daughter enters some of them and skips some depending on how busy she is.

@Flossietea thank you so much! This is amazing! Wish your DD all the best in her life pursuit! XX

Perhaps because those coed schools are not that close to the top of the league tables? I've seen plenty of questions about whether Westminster, St Paul's, or The Hall (for primary) are hothouses.

What? What has gender to do with it?;