Hi Raven07:
Gosh I could say so many things:
I like the standard/ level of academic education
I like what I see of homework assignments
I like that since 2nd term Y7 my small fry has been very independent about her work -it's all her own
I like that she wants to do well - at everything
I like that she's happy to be so busy and although it's said with grumbles, I think she enjoys all the work.
I like that there's a lot going on at the school - lots of clubs/ interesting friends
I like that they get small fry is a 'character' - and aren't trying to change that
I've been surprised that she's done well in areas I'd never even realised she was good at - and they're encouraging/ supporting that
I like that her lessons challenge her - to think more critically, to try something difficult, to consider another point of view
but like any school there are things I don't like....
I don't like Camp Hill Snobbery - the staff really are a bit full of themselves, which I find a bit much.
I don't like their disorganisation - they're pretty slow to take up more modern modes of communication (e.g. texting parents arrival time of school trip buses)/ don't seem to be adopting the new communications app they asked parents to join and oganisation of school events/ trips has been chaotic - as in identifying (perhaps using paper signs?) a meeting point for school trip/ entrance to event wouldn't go amiss. [but they are slowly making improvements since the start of Y7 - probably because we are complaining]
Timing is part of this - but in recent years with building projects - the place has been a building site & will be again when they expand the sixth form. (Can't be helped - this is just the timing of my child's time at Camp Hill & the sixth form has to expand as there aren't enough places for the expanded entry years shortly to be of sixth form age).
School is a bit weird about being slightly late to class after lunch if you've been in a club/ music group. So my small fry has had 'lates' for her first class after lunch because the conductor of her music group insisted they finish the piece of music. She's tried to explain why she is late (with other kids affected doing the same) and that it wasn't her fault and the class teacher wouldn't have it. It's lead to the classic 'IT'S UNFAIR' retort from small fry and I do sigh and feel for goodness sake she's going from one school organised situation to another - can't the Camp Hill adults work this out between them - but this seems to be a problem in general - especially with music groups and having asked about it with friends who have older girls there who also have music groups at school - it is something that has been going on for years. It's a little upsetting for younger students - and not really necessary in the scheme of things. Just creates bad feelings - and means that small fry didn't work hard for this teacher because 'she's horrible! she marks me as late when it wasn't my fault!'
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When your DD is accepted to Camp Hill - you will get a letter from Camp Hill offering you the place and offering you the opportunity to visit the school. My advice is arrange a visit for you and your daughter (as we did - in fact Papa Trout attended - having not really engaged except on results night when he stayed up until 2 a.m. hoping to learn the definite cut off for 2016 entry

) - it gave small fry a chance to see what a real class there was like (she got to sit in on 2 or 3, talk to some students and papa trout just kept saying - Wow! This is an amazing school.

Yours truly kept saying, yes dear that's why small fry wanted to go here

).
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In terms of bullying I've had no experience of that - nor has small fry. There's a bit of teasing - but it's not as bad as when she was at primary. There has been a bit of name calling/ insulting on social media - but the school has clamped down on that. I believe the girls involved have been spoken to (with their parents) - and it seems to all have simmered down. But to be honest - that happens at ordinary state comps too - so isn't really a 'Camp Hill problem' - if you see what I mean - it's more a sign of the times for our kids really and hard if we, as parents, aren't that aware of things like Facebook, Instagram, etc..
Some of the wealthier girls do show off a bit - and can say cutting things about the fact you don't have an apple this or that/ what you don't have sky sports package? But to be honest, it's deeply uncool in the Camp Hill setting and ultimately they get that message and seem to calm down about showing off gadgets. There are a set who are jetting off here and there on ski holidays in the Alps, beach holidays in the Caribbean, etc.... and sometimes that can lead to a bit of friction - but that's not their fault and hey, if I had the spare cash, I'd be jetting off on holiday somewhere nice over Easter break too!
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So - sorry this has been so long winded - but like anywhere there are pros and cons.
as I said, if your DD is accepted, my advice is visit the school with your daughter on a normal day at Camp Hill - it's very different from the hubbub of an open day event
I think it will help settle your mind and your DD's.
best of luck with everything
OT