Hi, we went to visit a all girls grammar in the next county last week. We are in a non grammar county. Our daughter is very bright and it's been mentioned to us as a possibility for her.
Honestly on distance it's a bit of a long shot anyway but I was expecting to be wowed.
The reality is I'm not.
It's a long way really, the walk from the train station in the town to school is pretty grotty really and about 20 min from station to school.
Obviously it's selective so great results, but I don't actually think the results differ from the top sets from our local comp.
It was quite run down, facilities actually less impressive than other schools we have looked at.
I don't know if it's actually worth it.
DH and I also had a massive row on way home as I had been pushing for this school and he was really rather unimpressed by school and thought the commute was not appropriate for DD.
The school is in Salisbury. We live just north of Winchester. Our DS is top sets in a Winchester comp but due to age gap DD will not get sibling link and we are not officially catchment. This is why we are looking at all options.
I really want to know others views on this. Local people will know the school without me naming it.
Should we plough ahead with 11+ and small chance. Or will a very able child do just as well in a Hampshire comp???
I want to know if others have felt the same really.
I want to give DD the best possible chances in life and had thought a girls selective would be best?
We have looked at all comps in and around Winchester and all had been impressive with articulate kids showing us around.
Our own son is thriving and claims he has never had any disruption in his classes. He is happy.
We have seen st Swithurns which if we were rich would 100% go for. Sadly we are not!!
So honestly those who have also seen this school. What do you really do think of it?? Is it some amazing educational facility or is it just doing well because it's full of clever girls.
Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.
Wiltshire grammar school. Honest views.
Beehiveme · 07/07/2024 17:21
TandemBike · 07/07/2024 19:07
Honestly, Winchester comps are great and combined with Peter Symonds are pretty unbeatable. I think the chances of her doing better at SWGS are negligible.
tarheelbaby · 07/07/2024 19:46
Definitely make your DD trek 20min each way, often in the rain, so you can say she went to a grammar school rather than a (gasp, pearl clutch) 'comp'.
(I've not heard anyone call the Winch schools this in the 20+ years I've lived here. If you live N of Winch you'll know their reputations academic and otherwise.)
Beehiveme · 07/07/2024 17:21
Hi, we went to visit a all girls grammar in the next county last week. We are in a non grammar county. Our daughter is very bright and it's been mentioned to us as a possibility for her.
Honestly on distance it's a bit of a long shot anyway but I was expecting to be wowed.
The reality is I'm not.
It's a long way really, the walk from the train station in the town to school is pretty grotty really and about 20 min from station to school.
Obviously it's selective so great results, but I don't actually think the results differ from the top sets from our local comp.
It was quite run down, facilities actually less impressive than other schools we have looked at.
I don't know if it's actually worth it.
DH and I also had a massive row on way home as I had been pushing for this school and he was really rather unimpressed by school and thought the commute was not appropriate for DD.
The school is in Salisbury. We live just north of Winchester. Our DS is top sets in a Winchester comp but due to age gap DD will not get sibling link and we are not officially catchment. This is why we are looking at all options.
I really want to know others views on this. Local people will know the school without me naming it.
Should we plough ahead with 11+ and small chance. Or will a very able child do just as well in a Hampshire comp???
I want to know if others have felt the same really.
I want to give DD the best possible chances in life and had thought a girls selective would be best?
We have looked at all comps in and around Winchester and all had been impressive with articulate kids showing us around.
Our own son is thriving and claims he has never had any disruption in his classes. He is happy.
We have seen st Swithurns which if we were rich would 100% go for. Sadly we are not!!
So honestly those who have also seen this school. What do you really do think of it?? Is it some amazing educational facility or is it just doing well because it's full of clever girls.
TeenDivided · 08/07/2024 09:54
What rep does Perrins have now? My knowledge is old, but it used to be talked about in equal terms to the winchester 3.
Blewitt · 09/07/2024 15:08
My daughter attended the school you looked at for yr 7. It was a pretty dire experience and she left, along with a few others from her class. It has a bad reputation locally for the poor mental health of the girls and academia being the priority. Has a new head next year so things may improve. I would avoid it if you have got a good local school, the travel will get too much, especially if she wants to stay for after school activities, then she might be walking to the train on her own in the dark in winter. I feel it is a place to endure in order to get good results, rather than a school to enjoy.
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