Godolphin and Latymer vs Wimbledon High vs Putney High

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Hello, our daughter got offers from these three schools are we are trying to decide which one would be best. Logistically wise, it happens to be similar, so that is not a differentiation. We are aware that G&L is academically known to be stronger than WHS and PHS so we have a bias for it, but we are concerned that it might be too pushy. Our daughter is a fun girl, not necessarily pushy academically but has managed to get in with a lot less outside school support than plenty of girls in her prep class. I am concerned that she may have a tendency to coast if there is not a good structure but don’t want to over pressure her.

Any views between these schools? Are girls in G&L mostly being tutored and is the school very pushy? Or is there a diversity of personalities?

DD was at WHS and very happy. Ignoring the league table results I’d say that the main difference between WHS and G&L is the parents and location of the girls. G&L attracts a lot more international and central London wealthy parents and all that this entails. Lots of fiercely ambitious parents and tutoring. This is from friends with DDs there who don’t fall into that category! But all are happy with the school.
Most families at WHS are from SW London. There are wealthy families but not the mega Central London types and girls are, as a generalisation, not quite so ruthless socially!
Both schools will have lots leaving at sixth form. G&L has IB.
PHS has more in common with WHS but will also have more central London families. Not a bad thing just a different vibe.
Maybe go to the offer holder events? I’ll be completely honest, the families I met at G&L open days and offer holder events put me off completely, but I do know lovely families who go there!
DD was determined to go to WHS so was an easy decision!
They’re all academic schools relatively speaking and your DD can do very well at any of them so just go where you think she might be happiest!

I would go with one of the GDST schools. They’re cheaper and a more straightforward proposition. I’m an academic at Oxford and have taught multiple girls from all three schools over the last 15 years. The G&L girls don’t seem very confident or especially well taught. I find it hard to see why anyone would choose it if they had an offer at SPGS or, possibly, Latymer or Westminster. But Wimbledon High is the first and only choice for many local families. Perhaps a little less true with Putney High, but I still think you’ll find more normal middle-class families at both schools, and your daughter will have more friends who live near the school and each other. I have also taught some very very clever girls from GDST schools and think at the top end that the standards might actually be higher (with a longer tail).

In any case, not a bad problem to have! All are very decent schools.

Thanks! We have booked the offer holder events for next week and I hope it provides more clarity but wanted to get insights ahead to see if it can help also ensure I am paying attention to the right things / asking the right questions.

Whilst my bias is more now for WHS vs G&L, also curious to know if anyone has any views on Putney high vs this to ensure we are not missing something.

very much appreciate all your comments!

My daughter is in Y7 at PHS. She came from another school and wasn’t in the juniors so we are new parents. We are finding it a lovely, down to earth school. The girls are kind, the head is amazing and inspirational, so forward thinking and supportive. The school works hard to provide modern scholarship, balance iPad and writing tasks, and encourages the girls to invent and make mistakes. I’ve had quick responses from the school with any enquiries or concerns. There is a bit of homework and assessments but equal encouragement to do clubs, music and sport. The girls are all inquisitive, work hard and enjoy learning. We are quite an ordinary family in Chiswick and it’s a good fit for us in ethos and location. She had a choice of 6 schools and I am really glad we considered the commute in our decision, travelling excited and fresh in the daylight in September is not the same with a heavy backpack in the dark and rain come December!

Coming on the back of @whswhs's comments. Our DD is at WHS (Y9) and she is (and we are) very happy. Strong academics but not a hot house, plenty of academic and extra academic pursuits and, above all, both a culture that encourages intellectual curiosity and critical thinking and a community that provides support and encouragement in the all-too-crucial teenage years. Down to earth vibe (some very wealthy but also bursary and the girls and the families' dynamics are completely wealth-blind). Location is great both in terms of transport links but also as the girls get older and more independent and hang out close to the school or 5 minutes away at the Village.

We joined in Y7 and choose above other academic options in the area on account of what we could see of the above factors during the 11+ process. I have to see that our expectations have been exceeded.

As others have said, all schools mentioned are strong academically and delivers strong results. iI would encourage you to go with the "vibe" that suits your DD best.

PS Feel free to pm if you have any questions

All three are very good.

G and L will have a higher percentage of girls who initially applied to SPGS and who, for whatever reason, have ended up at G and L.
That’s the main difference I perceive.