Watford Grammar V/S St Helens

Independent Schools as an alternative to Grammar

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Misty
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:44 am

Watford Grammar V/S St Helens

Post by Misty »

Hello

My DD has got a place in St helens and i am positive we will get a place in Watford Grammar too. I am swaying towards St helen's but i want to make sure i do it for the right reasons. Please can you share your knowledge and experience on which one you would choose and why.

Thank you
Misty
Daogroupie
Posts: 11100
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:01 pm
Location: Herts

Re: Watford Grammar V/S St Helens

Post by Daogroupie »

Hello. A great choice to have. Two wonderful schools. Can't really go wrong with either of them. Does St Helens offer you opportunities that are not available at Watford? DG
Misty
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:44 am

Re: Watford Grammar V/S St Helens

Post by Misty »

Hey Daogroupie,

Well, they both offer very similar opportunities. St Helens is 10 minutes walk from my house and Watford Grammar is 20 minutes drive from my house.

I am wondering if i can hear from St helens and Watford grammar mums about advantages and disadvantages which will help me make my decision.
Middlesexmum
Posts: 1008
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:54 am

Re: Watford Grammar V/S St Helens

Post by Middlesexmum »

I have a dd in Year 8 at St Helens. We were also considering Watford girls but she didn't get a place but I think even if she had, we still would have chosen St Helens.

It's a wonderful school, I honestly can't think of any faults in 18 months of dd being there.

-wonderful, inspiring teaching
-small classes of 20. Some of the Maths sets are even smaller than this
-girls have a form and separate teaching group so they instantly have 2 sets of friends
-very nurturing, girls are well supported by form tutors and all the teachers generally
-strong house system, there are house events thorough out the year, arts, sports etc
-long lunch period so girls can eat, go to a club, go to the library etc
-2 week timetable and 5 lessons a day of 1 hour each
-great for languages, girls choose 2 MFLs and all do Latin
-lots and lots of extra curricular clubs, everything from sport to music to drama to origami
-beautiful grounds, the school occupies an entire block!
-well situated in Northwood, all those cafés come in handy of the last day of term!
-focus on academic achievement without the intense pressure of other girls' schools

We didn't set out purely with an indie in mind but I can really see what we are paying for. Dd is really thriving and was delighted to win a progress prize in year 7.

Let me know if you want to know anything else.
Misty
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Jan 20, 2014 12:44 am

Re: Watford Grammar V/S St Helens

Post by Misty »

Thank You Middlesex mum

You have made me feel at ease and i feel confident to go today and give the deposit for St Helens.

Thank you again

Misty
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