CLSG views

[Ratherbeluckythangood]

Hi, I just wanted to find out from current parents (if possible) their experience of CLSG as a school? My child is not an extrovert, more of a thinker who finds it hard to speak up, but there’s clearly a lot going on in her head which she keeps to herself. She is quietly diligent and a natural rule follower, but loves a challenge/ try new things and is competitive. While bright, she is by no means an academic high flier. She also loves sports, so that is a big factor to consider, so we wonder about sporting opportunities. Given this profile, do current parents (or indeed, anyone with experience of the school) think this school could be a good fit for her? Travel time would be around 40 minutes by public transport. Thank you for any advice/inside information.

My DD got offer from City! She has few more offers including St Pauls Girls and JAGS but she loved City! Its so unique doesn't look like other schools

Mine as well. Interesting questions, OP. Watching with interest.

I just sent you a PM as we are in a similar situation (though not exactly!) Which way are you leaning? I imagine St Paul’s must be a bigger draw for you.

Hi, my daughter is into her 6th year at CLSG (year 12), and the experience has been fantastic. My daughter was also not an an extrovert by any means, but she has really developed a sense of quiet confidence and self assuredness, which I would attribute a lot of to her experience at school. There are all types of girls, and wouldn't say everyone is an alpha type, so wouldn't worry about things from that perspective.

Let me try and answer your different points:

Academically it is a high achieving school, but in no way pushy. The school are very constructive in helping students achieve their potential. The teaching is very good, with very approachable staff - in addition, they do regularly run lunchtime clinics across different subjects should children want some additional help. Another example was in year 7, where my daughter had a weekly Zoom call with a 6th form student to help with French.

Year 7 was fairly gentle (I don't know if that because we started in 2020, so peak disruptive COVID time), but tests and assessments really ramped up in year 8. I will point out that girls are not forced to go to lunchtime clinics, they have to make that decision themselves. Another thing I'd say is to trust the school and their methods - from year 8 they start to have sets for maths - just 2 levels. A lot of parents and children are disappointed when they are not in the top set, but at the end of the day they will cover the same content, just at a different pace, and many girls in the lower set achieved top grades at GCSE.

The opportunity to try new things is amazing - while they offer excellent provision in music, drama, sport (I'll come to this later), there have been countless other opportunities that have come up. See the list below of activities:

Trip to Globe Theatre
Spanish Trip to Valencia
Music Scholars Workshop
Chess Tournament
British Physics Olympiad
Girls Human Rights Hub
Gym and Dance display
City Youth Theatre
Year 12 Cambridge Visit
French Play
Young Enterprise (Entrepreneurship initiative)

The reason I've listed these, is that this is just a selection of what was mentioned in the last bi-weekly newsletter, and a drop in the ocean of whats on offer.

Finally with sports, despite the location and space constraints, sports is important part of the curriculum. There are certain sports like netball, cross country, gymnastics, competitive dance, swimming where the school does excel in and compete up to a national level. They also do play football, cricket and some other sports, but would say these are done more 'recreationally' than others, given the lack of space for facilities. They do also offer fencing and rowing, which could fall into 'trying something new' category.

Happy to shed light on any other specific questions you have.

Thank you for having taken the time to share such nuanced insight into your DDs experience at CLSG. Very kind, very generous -- and very helpful.

@CW34 🙏🏻

Hi CW34

Thank you so much for your very helpful insights! It sounds like your daughter is very happy and thriving there. I think I am just worried about the academics, and how demanding that is. Also, do they play hockey as a competitive sport at all? I know you mention lots of other sports, many of which would also suit my daughter (not to mention new ones that she might want to try, like rowing!) but I do wonder about hockey specifically as that is one of her main interests!
Thanks again for any help!

I have always felt that it doesn't feel like an overly academic school, and there is a support available if needed in any subjects. Usually, almost everyone will find something difficult along the way, whether it's in languages, maths, science etc., and it's usually just a concept here or there. And this is where lunchtime clinics and other support really comes in.

The girls have tests regularly, and end of year exams from year 8 I think. During parent evenings, teachers were also very specific in areas to work on. While the school aren't that pushy, they will subtly talk about getting 9's or A*s, so I guess that does sort of set an expectation. In addition, I think there's greater pressure from the student group as opposed to from teachers and the school.

Regarding hockey, I've just asked my daughter, and she says they don't have a school team - they just play at a very recreational level.