What would be your first choice girls grammar and why?

[talea51]

We have a boy's thread so I thought a girl's one would be good.

If anyone has any opinions or experience of the pastoral care at the girls grammars please do share this information.

Thank you so much, any input would be really helpful!

[sharob]

Thanks for starting this. We had a good result but are waiting for CEM score. It would be really interesting to hear about others experiences of their girls schools and particularly, for me, the extra curricular enrichment provided.

[dez]

It is difficult to decide the idea first choice school without considering the following points.

For me it depends on

1) DD's 11+ score.
2) Where the family based and what is the transport options and travelling time like for DD.
3) Any particular specialisation eg. Music, Science , Languages or Sport college status to fit DD's interest.
4) Extracurricular activitity.

[redbridge]

Yes it is difficult to decide, I am still confused.

We currently live in Redbridge.

My DD stands a chance of getting into Woodford County which is local to us, though she is not in the top 120 looking at the previous year offers I think she stands a chance.

She has done well in the CSSE exam and is in the green for Colchester, Westcliff and South End, so its tempting to select Westcliff/Southend Girls. I have heard many girls travel by coach to these schools, we are willing to move closer to the school once an offer is confirmed if necessary or if DD finds the commute hard.

DD is happy to join either schools, we are also waiting for the CEM results but as we are OOC it could go either way, fingers crossed hoping for the best.

I think both Westcliff and Woodford Girls are great schools respectively, it will be the beginning of another wonderful journey and we have to try and make the right choice. If anyone has in the past compared these schools or can give some valid inputs will be very useful.

Good luck to all DP's and DD's

Regards

[2 to go]

WHSG is excellent for dds keen on singing and musical theatre performances. DD2 went on an amazing Music tour of Lake Garda in the summer and is currently rehearsing for 'A Chorus Line.' Can't really comment on extra-curricular sporting activities as she does not do these, but would thoroughly recommend the school based on her experiences.

[BadDad]

Once we allocate the schools on the CAF, is it possibly to change the priority by rejecting the offer?

My DD scored high enough to be selected for any CSSE school and while CCHS is our first choice we can't decide whether to put Westcliff or CCHSG as the second choice. I wonder if it is possible in March to reject the first (or second in our case) choice and drop down to the next school on the list? Or will we loose on both schools in this case because all the places for the next school will have already been allocated?

[dez]

Once we allocate the schools on the CAF, is it possibly to change the priority by rejecting the offer?

My DD scored high enough to be selected for any CSSE school and while CCHS is our first choice we can't decide whether to put Westcliff or CCHSG as the second choice. I wonder if it is possible in March to reject the first (or second in our case) choice and drop down to the next school on the list? Or will we loose on both schools in this case because all the places for the next school will have already been allocated?

You can but would need to wait for a W/L place instead even if your DD's score is above the initial cut off score of that school on 1st March 2014. If your DD's is high she will move to the top of waiting list unless there are DDs with score higher than your DD who have also changed their mind.

[BadDad]

Thank you dez, so basically it is too risky and we need to decide now. I'm afraid when we find out the CEM results tomorrow it will not be of great help as they will only provide the score and not ranking

[dez]

Thank you dez, so basically it is too risky and we need to decide now. I'm afraid when we find out the CEM results tomorrow it will not be of great help as they will only provide the score and not ranking

I think CCHS might just give a score to everyone and set a cut off at 350-400 DD! Will find out tomorrow. All the letters are in the post office now.

[bravado]

We have a boy's thread so I thought a girl's one would be good.

If anyone has any opinions or experience of the pastoral care at the girls grammars please do share this information.

Thank you so much, any input would be really helpful!

As you asked specifically about the pastoral care, I can help
DD2 is in Yr 7 at ColCHS had a little issue which was dealt with incredibly swiftly. No re-occurrences, although there is a little something we're keeping an eye on Highly recommended