Kingston Grammar - how does it compare for girls?

[QBean]

Hi all, got sidetracked discussing KGS on Surbiton thread so have started a new thread. Wondering if parents with DDs at KGS are happy with their choice? Are sports etc given same profile whether they are girls or boys? Are girls in leadership positions where the opportunities arise? Heard about a few coed choices that some still primarily feel like a boys school with girls. Would you ever say that about KGS? Has a new head been appointed yet?
Thanks!

[tess73]

Yes new head has been appointed , will try to find link but he is head from a boys state grammar, he has 2 daughters.
I also want to know how non sporty girls fare at KGS.

[nmonkandmmonk]

My DD has only been there a term and a half but we could not be happier with our choice for her. The school is serious about sport for both girls and boys and having never played hockey before, my DD has had hockey fixtures every Saturday and netball often midweek too. However it doesn't matter if sport isn't your thing as they really encourage everyone to join at least 2 lunchtime or afterschool clubs and there is something for everyone. The standard of music is very high but there are choirs open to everyone and a variety of different music groups at all levels. On top of that there is drama, dance, art etc etc and co-curricular is seen as very important to complement the academic side of things. I don't really know about leadership positions yet but it certainly feels absolutely equal between girls and boys from what I have seen.

[tess73]

Thanks so much nmonk. Will be quizzing you lots over the next year I am sure!

[Shootingatpigeons]

I think of all the mixed schools I visited at 11, KGS felt the most like a true coed school. I think it has been co ed the longest and it was all bedded in in even then.

[Eastpoint]

KGS has been mixed for around 30 years I think, my cousin went there from yr7 & she is 40.

[tess73]

Of the 6 Oxbridge candidates this year, 4 were girls. At least one of those was science (veterinary I think). Not that I agree with highlighting Oxbridge over say UCL, Durham etc... But it's useful info.

[Shootingatpigeons]

This year's Oxbridge were down this year as well, at most West London schools, with some very good candidates not getting in. I don't know if that is a blip or a trend but everyone has been surprised and I don't think it is a good measure in relative terms. It will be the actual destinations in terms of the best unis (not necessarily RG, people don't realise that membership of the Russell Group is not based on any sort of quality criteria, it has become a lazy shorthand).

[QBean]

Thanks shootingpigeons, out of curiosity is there any sense that there was a bias against the independent school kids? Or do you include state schools when you refer to west London schools?

[Moggy72]

I studied there years ago (am 41 now ). I can honestly say that boys and girls were treated no differently. Lots of really academically high achieving girls studying maths and sciences and taking Oxbridge entrance. I think at the time Oxbridge entrants were split evenly between girls and boys. Big rowing school - with lots of female rowers. Obviously different head now - but if the past is anything to go by it is truly co-ed.

[Shootingatpigeons]

Qbean it could be a blip, it could be increasing competition from overseas and especially the EEC, or it could be levelling the playing field between state and private. In any case the process has always been unpredictable and it has become massively more competitive in recent years. There are actually many courses at other universities that are rated better in the various league tables, especially than Oxford for some reason. So I would certainly regard getting pupils to the unis that feature at the top of the tables for the various subjects as a better measure of a school.