NLCS vs CLSG

Independent Schools as an alternative to Grammar

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GGMum
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:13 pm

NLCS vs CLSG

Post by GGMum »

Hello!
DD3 has had offers from both schools :D . We know and like City, but know less about NLCS, so I would really be grateful for any views! One of the key decision points for us will be languages - City lets Y7 pupils choose 2 among 4 modern languages, which is great for us as our kids are already bilingual in French. From the website it looks like NLCS only has French in Y7?
How is pastoral care, home work, extra curricular, social life at NLCS? Do the girls meet up outside of school? Where do the girls come from? (DD3 is coming from state). I know that it's obviously super strong academically, so am trying to get a sense of the rest!
Many thanks in advance for any help! :shock:
GGMum
silverysea
Posts: 1105
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:32 pm

Re: NLCS vs CLSG

Post by silverysea »

We are at the sixth form entry stage and holding an offer from NLCS, I just want to point out that they are very strong in IB which is what attracted dd1. Just something to think about, if you have girls with broader interests who may find having to drop lots of subjects forever, basically, at 15, to pick a few A levels, too painful ! They can do A levels if they prefer as well a NLCS.

I liked that dd can still take English and an MFL even though she is focused on the sciences and maths.
Kingfisher
Posts: 416
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:08 pm

Re: NLCS vs CLSG

Post by Kingfisher »

Do the girls meet up outside school? Er - yes! Definitely! The only issue is that some of DDs friends live further away than one would get at a state school, so there is a bit of driving around for me. She has several a couple of kilometres away and since Year 7 she has been getting there herself. The friendships are close.

There is a huge choice of extra-curricular, and to be honest, DD simply has not got round to doing everything that she would have liked to do. There is a strong emphasis on drama and DD has been involved there. With many facilities and sports centre on site, the sports side is extremely comprehensive as well.

With regards to pastoral care - the school has been brilliant. DD has has a few problems -family stuff, not school - and she is very well looked after, I feel.

There is no homework in the first few weeks of Year 7, to let them settle. As the girls get older, the homework mounts up - I imagine CLSG is the same. There is no getting away from it.

I know that in Year 8 DD was taking 3 languages.

There are quite a few girls who came from state schools. Some are on bursaries. Although there are a few very rich girls, most are fairly ordinary - children of teachers, accountants, lab technicians and so on.

I think it is a lovely school.

But I also know teachers working at CLSG, which is also excellent. It has far less outdoor space, of course.

To be honest, if you like both equally, go for the one nearer to your home.
ConcernedDad
Posts: 204
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:43 pm

Re: NLCS vs CLSG

Post by ConcernedDad »

Hi GGMum,

Congratulations to you and your DD for getting offers from such fabulous schools. While it is not easy to decide between the two, I would second the advice of Kingfisher - chose the school that is easier to commute to.

shootmenow knows more about NLCS than probably anyone else. You can perhaps send her a pm.

From what I recall from my visit to NLCS, they offer French, Spanish, German and Mandarin. I think everyone does a few months of each language -to figure out which one they like, but takes up only one of them for GCSE.

I suggest either calling them up for clarification, or visiting them on 26th Feb.

All the best!

CD
Daogroupie
Posts: 11099
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2009 3:01 pm
Location: Herts

Re: NLCS vs CLSG

Post by Daogroupie »

I personally prefer CLSG for all sorts of reasons but you should choose the one that suits you as a family and suits you better location wise as well. DG
shootmenow
Posts: 356
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:25 pm

Re: NLCS vs CLSG

Post by shootmenow »

Re- NLCS languages
They start with French and Latin in yr 7 and can add German, Spanish and Mandarin at yr 8. In yr 10, they can add Russian and Ancient Greek.
I have experience of both schools- PM me.
Jenny67
Posts: 15
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 12:08 pm

Re: NLCS vs CLSG

Post by Jenny67 »

My only personal experience is with CLSG. And it's like already being said before on this forum; a gentle start when it comes to homework in Y7, then turing up the pace considerably for Y8.

I would not recommend CLSG to anyone who's child is not a fast learner. When attending the open day some years ago, the previous head did warn prospective parents that not very able students who were tutored (so would still pass the exam) would most likely not thrive at CLSG. She even went so far as to ask parents who had tutored their children to get up and leave and added: "You are not the one that have to pick up the pieces of your daughter (who can not cope)." Strong words indeed, but I believe there's a certain truth in it.

When it comes to extra curricular activities at CLSG our experience is that the school strongly encourage their students to do as many clubs as possible. It's almost an expectation to do at least 2-3 if not more.

On the other hand I've heard very good things about NLCS too. We know several girls who attend and they are grounded, confident and happy girls.

Also, on open day at NLCS i asked the student showing us around about bullying and how the school dealt with it and got a very satisfactory answer.

With two great schools to choose from, I guess it's down to location and commute.
highwater
Posts: 22
Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:32 pm

Re: NLCS vs CLSG

Post by highwater »

Toss a coin.

Joking aside, it's actually a straightforward choice in my opinion. Both are exceptional academically, so would you prefer your daughter educated on the outskirts of London, or right in the heart of it?

In some ways, the actual distance from home is a red-herring. It's more about the type of journey, and the out-of-school socialising. Travel-wise, girls at City come from all over London, everyone arriving by public transport rather than coaches. For most girls, it's a straightforward journey into Moorgate. They are streamed by post-code in the first few years, so tend to have local friends to travel and socialise with. They become confident commuters incredibly quickly - it does wonders for their self-esteem and maturity.

For my daughter, it's been a fantastic experience, even if she is now trying to escape to a different school for sixth form (it's like a marriage, after five years the desire for something new can be a temptation...).

I have no experience of NLCS, so can't comment except to say that it is an amazing school in a wonderful setting. But not urban enough for my little Londoner.
shootmenow
Posts: 356
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:25 pm

Re: NLCS vs CLSG

Post by shootmenow »

NLCS is very definitely not as urban in its location....obv. But girls travel from as far as Kensington, Islington etc. We are a Central London family and our DDs have a mix of friends from all over. The school is very accessible by public transport (if they miss the coach or have medical appointments). It is really nice going through the gates and leaving the city behind. The beautiful grounds make up for the commute and I love that they spend so much time outside doing sport or just reading under the trees.
goinggreyfast
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:06 pm

Re: NLCS vs CLSG

Post by goinggreyfast »

We are close to accepting NLCS offer but I am terribly worried about the hour long commute, albeit on the lovely school bus. Any reassurance welcome!

We have other great options but DD is sold on NLCS and unquestionably its whole approach & ethos would suit her personality really, really well. The commute to the others is a bit shorter (40 mins?) but by public transport and she likes the whole school bus idea. Is a pretty mature 11 year old old enough to make that decision herself?
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