Tiffin Kingston School Transport?

[TheHuntingOfTheSarky]

We will in the next year be starting the process of applying to Tiffin for our DD1. I've trawled their website but can't find anything out about transport to and from the school. We're in Walton on Thames so outside their inner catchment area but they do I believe regularly accept girls from our postcode, obviously dependent on their test results.

Anyone have any idea if there are other girls from KT12 currently at Tiffin and if do, how they get to and from school?

Thanks in advance!

[Floggingmolly]

Tiffin doesn't have a catchment area, does it? . They have pupils from all over London, travelling on existing public transport...

[TheHuntingOfTheSarky]

Oh, I thought I'd read something about an inner and outer area where Walton came under the outer area - I think it's in the selection criteria. I just wondered if anyone local to me might know if there was a minibus service or something like that.

[TeddTess]

yes they do now have an inner and outer catchment
no they do not organise any transport afaik.

[TheHuntingOfTheSarky]

Yes just found it again, they refer to Inner Area and Outer Area. Perhaps sometimes parents organise taxis and split the costs. Will find out soon enough if I need to I suppose!

[titchy]

10 minute train to Surbiton then a bus. It's not far...

[TeddTess]

i think there are some informal minibuses organised. from walton bus to kingston and then walk/65 bus up wouldn't be too bad?

[TeddTess]

get her in first then worry about it would be my suggestion !!

[TheHuntingOfTheSarky]

Lol yeah I know just been thinking about it last few days so thought I'd ask!

[TeddTess]

[Strix]

If you get to either Kingston or Richmond by rail, then the 65 goes to the school. My DD did the exam two years ago. Didn't get in :-(. There was no inner and outer catchment. But it was just in catchment or out. And if you were out you could forget it.

DS1 has just got in to Tiffin Boys for Sept. 2016. There is a "priority area" and if you are not in the priority area you will not get into the school. The priority area for Tiffin Boys is a 14 km radius from the school. I'm not sure if this helps. The two school may well operate different criteria.

Go to the Tiffin Girls website, where they will surely outline the admissions criteria. It is a daunting process. Good luck!

[TheHuntingOfTheSarky]

Thanks Strix. Yep it's a scary process alright but we figure there's no harm in trying, and DD1 is enthusiastic about it. When it comes to the crunch though, both DH and I went to bog-standard comprehensives and it did neither of us any harm, so que sera sera

[Strix]

Absolutely. I always said to DD and DS1 that "We aren't going to not go to Tiffin because we couldn't be bothered to try." DS2 will embark on the journey in a few years. Until then, I shall enjoy my break in tutoring duties.

DD is at a local CofE Girls Senior school. And, she is doing well academically. She's happy. And perhaps it all worked out for the best. But, I will say that the opportunities at Tiffin are significantly more than they are at her school, in terms of extracurricular (sport, music, etc.) and in terms of the academics on offer. For example, Latin is core curriculum at Tiffin and it's not even an option at DD's school.

Also, if anyone in the Isleworth/Twickenham area is considering Tiffin, I have a tutor I would recommend. Feel free to PM me.

[TheHuntingOfTheSarky]

Our local secondary has historically been pretty dire but is about to be completely rebuilt and rumour has it they will soon be turning applicants away, and if this turns out to be true then great - but in my heart I feel DD deserves the opportunity to go for somewhere better if it is open to her. She wants to give it a try and is aware that it's going to be tough, but as I tell her, they have to admit a certain number of girls each year so why couldn't she be one of them

[Wriggle45]

Go for it.... If you like the school and think it will suit your DD. Don't think you will have a problem getting into your local comprehensive if you change your mind post getting a Tiffin place.... Not sure a new building is going to change public perceptions so much

[Greaterthan6]

Anyone travelling from Whitton/Twickenham to Tiffin boys and would interested in aTaxi share?

[Mary19]

Isn’t it quicker to take the train at that time of day and the boys school is near the station?

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Or possibly even a bus?

[TeddTess]

281 bus goes to Tiffin Boys...
or train from twickenham 9 mins to Kingston
not sure why you would want/need a taxi share.

[MarchingFrogs]

As someone who had to relocate outside of London before having children, I can't understand how there are people living in a place where even secondary age children travel on the buses for free, whose children don't get used to using public transport as soon as they are able to walk

[Greaterthan6]

Its not a question of getting used to public transport, my children certainly are uses to public transport, but travel with an adult. The reason I have asked the question is because of safety. If you dont live in London, then you wouldn't hear of regular knife and abduction attempts made on secondary school age children. Of course I know public transport may be faster and I know what buses/trains travel to kingston having lived here all my life. But I would rather not take any unnecessary risks in my opinion as his parent!
I am looking for others who are like minded not those who have their own opinions!

[sandybayley]

Are you going to send him by taxi for the next 7 years?

Seriously you need to get him used to the journey by public transport over the summer and get him used to it. If he can't manage it then you should be looking for a school he can get to on his own.

Speaking as a fellow London parent....

[Ontopofthesunset]

I don't think he's very likely to be the victim of knife crime or abducted on the 281 at rush hour. Seriously, hundreds of children are travelling to school across London on buses and trains and tubes at that time in the morning. My two children have travelled to and from school for 13 years between them and neither of them has ever been abducted or threatened with a knife. Nor have any of their friends.

[NewModelArmyMayhem18]

Life is full of risks and I don't think it serves children well to be wrapped in cotton wool, particularly once they're at secondary school. And they run the risk of being made fun of by their peers for being 'babied'.

Tweens and teens are probably more at risk in a car than finding their own way. And Kingston isn't renowned for being a hot bed of crime (except for certain night clubs in the wee small hours of the morning).

There is more of a risk of passing on your fears to your DC and in turn making them anxious/nervous which may potentially mark them out as targets (if that makes sense) by criminal elements.

Tiffin Boys School is really central and so close to the railway and bus stations (and Kingston Grammar School) that there would scarcely be any opportunity for anything 'untoward' to happen.

Another London parent of secondary school age children here. They 'buddy up' with other local children at their schools to travel with.

[Greaterthan6]

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 - what you have said makes sense. Worried as many crimes do not get reported publicly. There was an attempted abduction near The Green School for Boys yesterday- involved an 11 year old.

[sandybayley]

Was there really an 'attempted abduction'? What's your source?

I'm afraid that incidents can get misreported or exaggerated. Were the police involved?

There is a tendency for local social media and playground gossip to whip up hysteria about this kind of thing. Police stats suggest it is incredibly rare.