11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi,

I have been reading posts on this site for ages now but this is my first post.

I'd love to hear about others' thoughts about the two Maidstone Girls schools. Everytime I think we have made a decision we change our minds. I can't believe it is now so close to decision day and we still do not know which school we prefer. There are so many pros for both.

I love the facilities of Invicta. It is so clean and smart but I am really worried about the pressure the girls are put under there and whether that is the right thing for my DD. She is one of the youngest and therefore will only be 14 when she takes her GCSE's.

On the other hand, MGGS has a lovely feel about it but it is quite tatty and looks like it needs some TLC but there is no doubt that the girls there really love it.

I really don't know what to do and my daughter changes her mind on a daily basis My husband is so helpful, he just says she will do well wherever she goes and can't see why I am worrying so much - maybe he's right!!

Hi, I feel for you, it is very hard choosing a school especially when it is between two good schools. I think your husband is right your daughter will do well at which ever school she attends. The decision will in the end come down to your true gut feeling.

I know of girls at both schools and all are happy and enjoying themselves.

My daughter is now in Y8 at MGGS and throughly enjoying it. She has made new friends from near and far and has a very busy social life. She is part of a sports team which recently had sucess against another school and she has been invited to join an orchestra. Academically we are very pleased, she is working well although not always to he full ability, however we have noticed she has stepped things up a gear this year. There appears to be a change from doing schoolwork/homework because you have to... to taking more interest and care because something has grabbed her attention or sparked an interest, all of which can only be put down to the teaching because anything I might have to say would automatically lead to an opposite reaction to the one I would have been hoping for (Mothers & Daughters eh!). I mention all this because although I agree with you that the school looks like it needs TLC it has not adversely affected my daughter. We are happy that she is receiving an all round education with the benefit of optional extras including some exciting and worthwhile trips.

Our decision was based on the warm feeling we got from the place and that continues with any contact I have had with teaching and support staff.

I may be wrong but I think this year was the first lot of invicta girls who took their GCSEs early and their results are good. A couple of mothers I know whose daughters are in year 8 are very happy with how the school is dealing with the girls taking the exams early and do not think there daughters are unduly pressurised although it is early days for them.

Wishing you well

Hello,

I too am a fellow lurker, been reading posts on here for the past seven or eight months but never got around to posting.

My DD is in exactly the same position but we have finally agreed today on MGGS after a visit to the open morning. What swung it for us both was the overall happy atmosphere, the heads talk which I was very impressed by and speaking to friends who have daughters already at the school.

We did look at Invicta and although I thought the facilities were great it just didn't seem to appeal to my DD as much as MGGS.

Wishing you both a successful decision.

Thank you both for taking the time to reply and your helpful words.

I think we too have decided on MGGS. I think I have got to the point where I am overthinking it and worrying about what others think and not what is best for my daughter so, as you say "A Mum", we've decided to go with our true gut feeling. MGGS is where she felt most comfortable so that's good enough for me

I am so surprised at how difficult this whole situation has been. My son passed last year and he knew straight away which school he wanted and barely even discussed it with us. However that could just be the difference in their natures. He is totally out for himself and doesn't think about anyone else (in the nicest possible way) and she just wants to please everybody. Also, as I said before she is the baby of the year whereas he was an older one.

Best wishes to everybody submitting their forms this week. I am sure whatever choices we make will be the right ones.