Sutton High for Girls

[ellsworth]

What's it like? Considering for dd.

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Sutton Coldfield ?

I know people who went here when I was at school. I did my A-levels in 2002 so a wee while ago now. it's a good school with (I think) good results. The people I knew who went there went on to university and have what people would class as decent jobs. I do however know people who went until 11 and then went on to Rosebery in Epsom or Nonsuch (grammar) at 11. Are you keen on sending your daughter independant or are you considering state as well?

By the way I'm assuming you mean Sutton Surrey/London rather than sutton Coldfield!!!

Yes I do mean Sutton High School in Surrey! Generally we are looking for a good girls school near a boys school in Surrey, but can't find one. Sutton High was friendly but a bit run down when I visited, wondered whether there were any problems there at the moment.

I'm sorry. I don't really have any recent knowledge. What I do know is that Rosebery in Epsom is the only all girls, non-grammar state school in Surrey. When I went there the results were good (about 83% pass rate A-C including Eng, Maths and science at GCSE). Not too sure about now but I can tell you that we lived (parents still do) within a 5 minute walk of the school and we regularly got letters through our door and still do, asking that " if you are considering selling your house in the future then please call us. We have two daughters who we really want to go Rosebery and so want to buy a house in the area". People have moved into our road when their daughters are just starting primary school, with the intention of getting them into the school. So considering that, I am guessing it is still considered a good school. We used to have school discos with Glynn, the all boys school. We also did joint school exchange trips to Germany/France with Ewell Castle school, a private boys school.

Sutton High - I am surprised that it isn't nicer. I have never been to look round it but considering it is private I thought that it would be quite nice.

The school that is probably in highest demand is Nonsuch Girls Grammar in Sutton/Cheam. Children have to set the 11+ to go there so it depends on whether you want your child to do that. From what I have heard though, it is very competitive so even if a child does get a good pass mark that should be good enough and would be for another grammar school, at Nonsuch it may not be just because the school places are in such high demand.

Other girls schools off the top of my head are St Philomenas Catholic. It's in Carshalton but I think is classed as a London school rather than Surrey. Not too sure of the results there.

Greenacre in Banstead is an all girls private school. I knew several people who went there and seemed to like it. I think it is quite small and has good grades.

All of these schools are within the Sutton/Banstead/Epsom area but I also know of several in the Guildford direction as well. Not sure if they would be too far south for you but if you are interested then happy to tell you about them.

Don't ask why I have so much random knowledge about schools. I haven't quite figured that one out myself!!! lol! I have a brain that seems to store lots of knowledge that is of no use for me!!!

Thanks numbered person, I like random details v useful. Had never heard of Nonsuch but i think it is too high powered for my dd. Rosebury sounds good as did Howard of Effingham but dd is 13 and ds 11 so already in 2ndary and I fear we have missed the boat, even if we bought the house next door! Luckily we have the means, for now, for private and at least we can plan for that ie pass exam, pay up and you're in. I like the GDST but just wondered what the locals thought of Sutton High. I also visited Sir William Perkins in Weybridge which was by far my fav school but there is no boys school nearby.

I have a lot of friends who speak very highly of Sutton High. The pastoral care is supposed to be outstanding; the classes small; and the academic standards good. There are also GDST schools in Croydon and Wimbledon; Wimbledon is seen as very academic (more like Nonsuch) so Sutton would probably be more suitable for your dd. At Wimbledon, if you don't cut the mustard academically, you are turfed out, allegedly.

I'll follow this thread with interest! I'd love to see what people with girls currently there might say.

In what way did it seem rundown, OP? I had heard that recent league table results weren't that great. If there are problems at the moment, I'd like to know as well!

Probably because I visited just after William Perkins which seemed more lively and well looked after somehow. However, I don't particularly want to judge on this superficial basis which is why I put out a call to any locals! So far all feedback has been positive. Aside from academics isn't it just impossible to get into Nonsuch after the 1st round? Don't they have a huge waiting list.

What about Wallington Girls? Very good school apparently. Not too far from Sutton High.

You're right, it's very good, but like Nonsuch a grammar which is v hard to get into. I doubt if Nonsuch and Wallington have places going spare in Yrs 7/8/9 etc.

Sutton High's fees are lower than Wimbledon High's, btw, and lower than other private schools further into London. Don't know about the Croydon one.

I thought the fees were same for all GDST schools, maybe not. What about Tormead? That also seemed very nice.

I think all GDST are all in the same ballpark, but not the same. I've never even heard of Tormead, I'm afraid!

Where will your ds go?

Still keen on Sutton High, I like the GDST schools, but its hard to gauge without the local parents network. Appreciate all the comments above. Also considering Guildford if DS can commute to City of London Freemen, not many boys options otherwise.

Hey PuzzYuleLogs bumped with you twice re move to Surrey and schools, how is it going?

I haven't a bad word to say about Sutton High.

As for results, I think they are pretty outstanding, especially when you consider they lose the most academic children from the junior school to Nonsuch and Wallington every year.

They turn out bright, confident, self-assured girls, not hot-housed neurotics.

It's a nice school. Glad you liked swps i went there! boys schools are a problem. Guildford and Wimbledon have boy and girl equivalents but house prices and competition for places still crazy

Clfs good but train station is along walk and involves changing at effingham. many round here do private and then try sutton and wallington boys at 11plus but v.hard to get a place