Jump to content

Sydenham High School any thoughts


Recommended Posts

Hello, we are considering moving to the Dulwich area and accepting a place at Sydenham High School for my 14 year old daughter. I had seen some posts on some other forums that the school, while nurturing, may not push the kids academically. Most of those posts are a bit dated and I understand that the school has a relatively new and dynamic head mistress. Does anyone out there have any recent experience with Sydenhams. I do want my daughter to be challenged, though I don't want her a in a pressure cooker. Any thoughts or insights would be greatly appreciated. Also they run a bus service from East Dulwich to the school. Anyone know how long that would typically take in the morning. Thanks
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As well as the school minibus service you can also get the 176 or 197 from East Dulwich to Sydenham which I think most of the senior school girls would use. On journey times it?s about 20-25 mins from dulwich library to school gates depending on traffic. The time for the minibus depends which route you are on/where you?d pick it up. One of the routes picks up at Upland Road/Court lane part of lordship lane at 7.45am and I think gets to junior school around 8.15am.


My daughter is in junior school so no experience of how the girls are pushed academically in seniors but I went to the senior school open day last week and was impressed. Mrs Woodcock is keen for all girls to reach their potential and it seemed a very happy environment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My daughter started in year 7 in September, so far we love the school, it is certainly not a pressure cooker in year 7 but she certainly gets enough h/w usually three pieces a night and 4 over the weekend.

We live in Herne Hill but don?t use the school bus , I drive her on the way to work as they can go in from 7:30 and I either pick her up or she gets the bus with friends . The 176 is very popular route for a lot of girls.

DM me if you need any further details.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We have a daughter in year seven, she is so happy. We are thrilled with he school so far, it's small and friendly, the communication is really good and they seem to really care about the girls. They have so many opportunities and events.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 6 months later...

Hi my daughter attended Sydenham for a few years. She started off at Oakfield Prep, then went onto join Sydenham High School. The school is a good school and I thought academically pushed the girls always at one level above. My daughter was very academic and achieved high grades in all her subjects. However our family moved abroad and my daughter was placed in a USA Catholic High School with a class of 12. It was only through assessments did I find out that despite my daughter being a high academic achiever in the UK, she lagged behind her US counterparts when tested. Realized that Sydenham was not Ofsted monitored, so no one was monitoring output of studies, grades or academia, this was all set in-house.


Good outcome due to positive competition, my daughter finished high school with 9.4 average and full scholarships with Ivy League colleges.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a daughter there in year 9. She didn?t go to the junior school (went co-ed state) joined Syd year 7.

She?s been very happy there.

Pastoral care has been great.

Academically I think they do push kids who they think will respond to it. It?s certainly not a pressure cooker, but like any school, they are Very well aware of the kids they can squeeze a couple of 8s and 9s out of.


Like all schools they publish their GCSE results, which seem to be very good an improving. I think Mrs Woodcock does have a plan and ambition to strengthen the academic side of the school overall.


It?s a very small school but they offer everything most would want at GCSE and promise to be super flexible for GCSE choice. Though of course there are limits.


We?re happy enough with it. Though it?s not without its faults - but then nowhere is.

Overall I would recommend it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Nauris and his team have done fantastic work in our garden for the second year. Last year, they sanded, oiled the deck and did an immaculate job of paving the area around the deck. Then two weeks ago, I asked Nauris if he could build a garden shed, sand and oil the deck and paint and repair the fences. Again, another excellent job and he was great at fitting in a couple of small fixes. We are really pleased with the shed which is well made and painted and blends in well to the garden. Nauris is really respectful and always left everything tidy in the evening and spotlessly clean at the end of the job. Nauris also provided a clear quote for the work at the beginning.  I recommend Nauris Graudins (and his team) very highly - [email protected]  
    • So who actually checks that the above is followed - are there going to be "surprise" inspections ?
    • We have used Aria and AFE Plumbing for many years on a number of jobs - installing new taps and showerhead, unblocking pipes.  He is always quick to respond and able to swiftly attend to the issue, easy to communicate with, and makes sure the job gets done. Definitely recommended. 
    • Well you've said i'm taking a pro cash stance too far. Perhaps not twisting- i used the wrong words but you are putting words in my mouth no? I'm not one for tech, that's for sure but how do you come to the conclusion i'm pro cash? I merely pointed out that cashless and using cards / card readers/ oyster readers/ and other terminals etc aren't risk free. If i was pro cash i wouldn't be using a card on occasions. Indeed. You can say that again. Irony and self awareness not your strong point is it? Indeed. Just as well you're not the judgemental type hey!!   What a strange and arrogant entity you are.
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...