Notre Dame Girls, Cobham

Independent Schools as an alternative to Grammar

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Surrey Dad
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:40 am
Location: Surrey

Notre Dame Girls, Cobham

Post by Surrey Dad »

Hi,

Anyone with info. re this Independent Girls School? I see from Parent Power that their exam stats are excellent. It says Catholic, but all faiths welcomed in their prospectus, anyone with experience of this school? My daughter enjoyed her visit there recently and wants to attend. Head was very pleasant, girls who showed her around were smart and built up the school well. Some new buildings in place - which I think is important - just would like to hear from anyone attending here at present.

thanks,

Surrey Dad
Louise2
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:11 pm

Post by Louise2 »

None of my daughters go to Notre Dame but live near and know loads of girls that go there from year 7 onwards. It is a lovely school, it is a catholic school but there are alot of other religions there, not an academic hothouse like say LEH. Girls love the school. Head is very kind, girls well cared for. One thing I would say, as all the girls are either bussed in as its very inaccessible by public transport or driven by parents it can seem a little sheltered but then as the sixth form is so small (some A level classes too small to be viable) alot of the girls are ready to branch out and spread their wings a bit further and go to co-ed places like Esher College or the bigger independents.
Surrey Dad
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:40 am
Location: Surrey

Notre Dame, Cobham

Post by Surrey Dad »

Thanks Louise 2,

Do you know how Notre Dame compares with LEH or Surbiton High in the GCSE and A Level exams ? These are the other schools we are looking at. The Sixth Form at ND has about 60 pupils and the Head said that they have students going to Oxford, Cambridge and London. In fact the Upper Sixth student who showed us around had an offer for Cambridge for this year!

Surbiton High did seem too big and a bit impersonal for me and the Head asked another teacher what the names of the two girls were who escorted us around the school. LEH looked lovely but I don't want a hothouse for my daughter.

Surrey Dad
nell
Posts: 44
Joined: Thu May 17, 2007 1:31 pm
Location: south

Post by nell »

It's a while since your post so I may be too late but just to say that my niece left Notredame last year having spent 7 extremely happy years there. She never considered herself top set material but went on to get great results and is now at Bristol University.

Good luck with whatever you choose.
Esher Mum
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:29 pm
Location: Esher

Post by Esher Mum »

We visited Notre Dame this week with our daughter who is Year 6 and attends a local Prep school. She is very bright and needs to be challenged consistently academically.

The present Head told me to have a look at this school as she has been impressed with their results and the very positive press coverage the school has been receiving.

After meeting with the Head of Notre Dame who came across as dynamic and very enthusiastic, we were guided around the school by 2 Year 9 girls. These girls were a credit to the school, confident and articulate, they answered our questions and spoke extremely highly of the school. The classes we went into were all busy and you just got the feeling that here is a school that knows what it's doing. One of the Year 9 girls travels in from Putney each day (this is some distance to travel for those not familiar with the area) and said that she wouldn't want to be anywhere else!

There is an entrance test which consists of English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning which Emma will have to take next year but unfortunately the school does not give out past papers - so we are a bit blind on this one. they had 148 sit their entrance test last year for 69 places. If anyone has sat this entrance test and would like to post some ideas of its content I would be very happy!! Emma has set her heart on this school.

Mummsy of Esher
Esher Mum
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:29 pm
Location: Esher

She made it!!

Post by Esher Mum »

DD has received the long awaited letter from Notre Dame!! She got in with a scholarship and we are so over the moon. All the waiting and stress are over at long last. DD also received offers from Surbiton High and LEH but ND was hers, (and my) choice.

I don't think a letter was met with so much trepidation, I could not open it and told dearest husband to do the honours!! What a wimp - he passed it back to me, MEN - who would have 'em!!

DD went into tears when we read it out, thank you ND. Now for the FEES, but the Scholarship will most certainly help, no holiday this year!

A very happy Eher Mum!!
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