I'd rather they dropped the specialism in performing arts all together, and specialised in science and maths like their sister school Sydenham girls.

The outside perception and focus of the school needs to change if it is to successfully compete with or join in with the new academies.

Additional performing arts facilities are a nice extra for a school, as are additional sports facilities, but most parents will primarily judge a school on its academic results and the school needs to be clear that improvement in the core curriculum subjects remains its number one target.