We ticked 4 schools on our preference form for exactly the same reasons as Andbreathe has posted - we wanted to keep our options open. The only one I didn't tick was Crypt and that was a purely selfish (from a protective mum POV) and probably unfounded opinion that being the only group of girls in a school full of boys might attract a lot of *ahem* attention. Although saying that, if DD had particularly wanted to look at Crypt then I would have probably been easily persuaded.
Andbreathe - I really like how confident you are in your DD's ability to choose the best school for her - I feel the same way but part of me has been a little bit worried that allowing an 11yr old to make such an important decision might backfire in a couple years. HOWEVER, as long as I am perfectly happy with either Pates or HSFG then I'm happy to let her make the final call. After all, she's the one that has to go there for 5-7years!
We went to visit our friends today, one is a teacher there (Pates) and he gave us so much information to think about. Overall, it all sounds really positive, the induction process sounds second to none, the Head makes an effort to get to know all the yr 7s and invites them in small groups near their birthdays to have tea and cake in his office!! The House system seems to be the biggest pull for Pates - everyone I've spoken to has commented on it and it was likened by an ex teacher to being like Hogwarts!
The only caveat is that I seem to be gearing all my research towards Pates and none towards HSFG - which completely undermines my previous statement on here that I would be looking at both schools with an open mind

I guess I DO have a preference after all!! Oops.
Anyway - I look forward to meeting anyone who is attending the Open Day tomorrow - I'll also be revisiting HSFG in the evening if anyone will be there also?
Good luck all - I hope we all end up being happy with our choices and eventually, our allocations.