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WHSG or SHSG

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:46 pm
by Perplexed
Trying to decide which one to put first on the form. My daughter got straight level 5s at the end of year 5. She is conscientious and works hard. We have now viewed both grammar schools and are struggling with a decision.

WHSG seemed to be more pressurised but do achieve excellent results. SHSG seemed very relaxed and friendly and whilst results are excellent, I did not feel they had the edge over WHSG.

I am biased as a WHSG Old Girl, but my daughter preferred SHSG. She liked the atmosphere and found it more friendly. She has also heard a rumour that WHSG get more homework!

I don't want to be a pushy parent. It is important that she achieves her potential, but not at the expense of happiness.

Is one school regarded as better than the other?

Does anyone know what the future holds for SHSG with regard to the headteacher?

So many questions....such a hard decision...

Any thoughts or suggestions gratefully received.

WHSG or SHSG

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:52 pm
by shsg parent
They are both very good. One specialises in sciences and engineering and the other in languages.

I don't think there is any provision to learn German any more at Westliff, just French and Spanish. Also they have some Latin at SHSG. I really liked the gallaried library and science labs at Westcliff but also found SHSG much friendler, as did daughter.

Mrs Clewlow is acting head at SHSG and she is excellent. Doubtless they will appoint another good leader.

Guess its a case of going with the heart on this one. Last year at SHSG around 75 percent (it may have been more but no less) of students took GCSE English Language a year early and all but 5 or 6 got an A or A*. My daughters have done really well there but, of course, that's not saying they wouldn't have done well at Westcliff.

Good luck with your decision.

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:13 am
by gad
I would go with your gut feeling. If your daughter geniunely prefers SHSG then put it first. Your daughter has many years ahead of her in secondary school and it is very important she is happy.

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 7:44 pm
by Scooby
hello, even though I have a very happy daughter at WHSG (and doesn't get much homework at all by the way which has really surprised me) I too would say go with your gut feeling, it's a bit like buying a house I think, your instinct is normally right. That saying, most people would be happy with either.

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 10:35 pm
by Perplexed
I think that is half the trouble, most would be happy with either - and so will I be. We are very lucky in this area to have this chance for our children and the dilemma over which school to choose.

She has been bored throughout Primary school and not particularly happy, which is why making the right choice now is so important to me. Her dream at the moment is to go to med school, but I am sure that may change as she gets older.

My daughter is also struggling to decide as she liked both schools and I did point out to her that she was very fortunate that she will be pleased whether she gets her first or second choice of school - she actually quite liked her 3rd choice too!

Does anyone know which exams you have the opportunity to sit exams at either school? I know Westcliff sits Maths early and I understand that this years Yr 10 will sit English 6mths early. From the previous post SHSG can take English 1yr early and I know YR8 are all taking all the SATS early.

Thanks for all your replies - it's good to know that your daughters are happy at both schools :D

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:09 pm
by Guest
Can anyone tell me whether it is easier to get into WHSG or SHSG if you are out of catchment (ie which do you need the lower 11+ score for) - or does it vary from year to year?
My daughter likes both schools but there seems little point putting both on the list if her first choice is easier to get into than the second choice!

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:14 pm
by Guest
Usually there are a lot more out of catchment girls going to WHSG than SHSG - not sure why.

We chose WHSG above SHSG but my daughter was a lot higher on the list for SHSG than WHSG - ie. a lower mark was needed for SHSG. We are out of catchment.

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:16 pm
by gad
that last post was me!

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 10:21 pm
by Perplexed
I know someone in catchment who was placed higher at WHSG than SHSG, so I think it must vary from year to year. She had SHSG as her 1st choice and got in.

Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:56 pm
by Guest
My daughter got into SHSG this year, she was in catchment area, she put shsg first on the list, she was placed higher on the list for whsg. strange?

We always said as my daugher was growing up that she would go to WHSG as the school is quite near to us, but when it came to looking around the schools we were so impressed with shsg and it just seemed friendlier, my daugher did like whsg as well but not as much as shsg.
We would of been happy if our daugher had gone to either of the schools as they are both excellent schools, its what would suit your daugher best.
SHSG is further away but we decided that it worth travelling that little bit further.

She absolutely loves the school and is pleased she choose SHSG over westcliff.
I was concerned when I heard the headmaster was leaving as he has done so much good for the school, but Mrs Clewlow the acting headteacher is lovely and has impressed everybody.

The teachers are so kind at shsg, the girls are all very nice, the schools birthday is coming up soon, all the girls celebrate that day, they all club together and buy a present for the school, and they all sing happy birthday.

Good Luck with your decision, you really have to go with your gut feeling. Its not which is the best school, its whats best for your daughter.