pinkrabbit38 wrote:
practisehard wrote:
Yeah, I know deep down these are all the right points I need to look. But tbh, several parents whose DDs attend CCHS have moaned about their funding issues, them pushing girls taking up subjects other than science in A-Level, weaker teaching staff, lack of up to date resources. I am in real dilemma. Both Chelmsford, and Westcliff are nearer to us ( i,e travel worthy). I have seen Westcliff parents happier for some reason than Chelmsford. Any truth in these issues?
My DD1 attends Chelmsford, yes there are funding issues but no more than any other grammar school (I also have a son in Southend and DD3 in Colchester). Chelmsford no longer do DT. The staff, like any other school have fantastic teachers and some not so great. Resources all seem to be as up to date as they need to be.
My only experience of Westcliff girls was when we were looking round the school after 11+ Results and I vowed that none of my girls would ever set foot in that place!
We were surprised when DD decided to go there for sixth form, though. And she did realise, just too late, that she really wished she had stayed at SHSG. But she did keep up with her old friends and wasn't actually unhappy at Westcliff.
I have to say that DS2 had the same reaction to WHSG as you, when he looked round sixth forms last year. I didn't even get to hear again the HT describe the Russell Group as 'a group of universities that
like to think of themselves as better than any others'

. Or perhaps he didn't say it that time; someone may have
had a word...