Wilson's grammar school

[Dibbleofficer]

Hi , wondering what experiences of WGS are amongst parents. Seems from the outside a lovely place . Also how safe is the walk from Waddon station to WGS , the roads are incredibly busy locally I know. Thanks for any help. D

[gazzalw]

Hi Dibbleofficer

Our DS doesn't go there although it was originally his first choice. I would say that for us, that it was in a relatively rough area, didn't entirely endear it to us, particularly as DS would have been using public transport.

We do know boys who are there but they tend to be dropped off by car.

On the other hand, I would find it likely that as long as your DS were to be traveling in 'peak' school times, there would be plenty of other boys at Wilson's streaming to and from the station. Perhaps you need to do a 'recce' at school start/finish times? Also worth considering that once the clocks have changed, it may well be dark when DS finishes after a school club and many boys may be picked up by parents rather than walking to the station?

DW and DD (on teachers' strike day last week) met DS from his super-selective (a very rare occurrence indeed!). Even though they were at the bus-stop only about 20 minutes after school had ended, there were no other boys from his school to be seen anywhere in the town centre or indeed at the bus station!

[Dibbleofficer]

Thanks , great school but a mixed area. Having to make a CAF choice with Wilson's, St olaves and Wallington CGS in the mix . My fella likes Wilson's best but I am not 100 pc , they are all great schools with different strengths . Travelling from Forest Hill , so we will see.

[Willemdefoeismine]

Wow you must have a very clever DS - congratulations! I would actually go for the one that is easiest to get to.....it does make a huge difference doing the journeys during the cold, dark winter months. And I think there's always just extra room for being delayed if the journey is more than just a one bus/train/walk one!

[Dibbleofficer]

Great call. Wilson's is going to be the easiest 25 mins on train and 10 min walk from Waddon , but still not 100 percent, I will do the trips this week , cannot believe I have booked a day off work to do dummy runs to Croydon and Orpington....

[Ladymuck]

Have you got your WCGS result? Are they coming by post then?

I think Wilsons is on halfterm this week, which is a shame because I think that dummy runs at the same time of day is very informative. WCGS may still be at school though.

[Willemdefoeismine]

I think you'll find the dummy runs well worth losing a day's leave for, Dibbleofficer......it's just not the same doing them when the children are on holiday.....

Good luck!

[Dibbleofficer]

Hi all , done all the dummy runs , nothing perfect , still putting all 4 options into a hat at the moment and letting DS pull them out ...

He is of course most keen on a comprehensive near us that offered him a full sports scholarship ... Which is a great achievement ... But may not provide the academic rigour....

[gazzalw]

Good luck with the decision making, Dibbleofficer - I don't envy you...

[Secretsquirrel11]

Hi everyone,
Can anyone help please. My DS will be traveling to Wilson’s by local transport but I’m looking for anyone who can do the car run for me from Epsom everyday. Happy to pay etc
Thanks
X

[brainmelt]

@secretsquirrel wait till he starts, get to know a parent you can trust and get it sorted. Don't so this over the internet.