Reigate Grammar or Caterham?

[AnotherSurreyMum]

Have been to see both of these, and am very torn/confused:

• similar very good academic results
• Caterham seems your 'classic' independent school - large grounds/facilities, good discipline, polite children
• RGS seems a bit more 'towny' - doesn't really look like an independent school (more like my old comprehensive!) The kids aren't quite so polite, but seem confident and successful?

Seems a bit scruffy, and I've herad lots of reports of stuff being nicked around the school?

DH & I marginally preferred Caterham, as it seemed more obvious what you were paying for?

DS1 favours RGS as it is likely more of his friends would end up there I think.

Any experience/views?

[mumoverseas]

I've seen RGS but not Caterham but know parents who had sent their DC to both. My impression is that Caterham is more 'posh' and I think the sporting facilities there are excellent. Ref the stealing, it goes on everywhere. DD is at a boarding school in Reigate and so far has had her new Ipod, make up, jewellery, a few items of clothing and her new Ugg boots stolen Good luck with your decision

[nooka]

dh went to Caterham, and I can't say that from what he has said it is a school I'd recommend. But that was a long time ago, and it's probably changed a lot. The discipline (aka stupid rules) were one of the things he really disliked, and it's certainly left a mark (he has a big authority problem). I went to a small independent school and then on to a big public school, and the facilities were definitely better at the later, but as to which was the better school, I'm not totally sure. I think that you have to think about your son and his needs and interests and decide on that (ie no point in sending an unsporty child to a sporty school - indeed that could be a real negative)

[AnotherSurreyMum]

Thanks for these. DS1 isn't particularly sporty, but quite academic & also musical. RGS seems to have fab music facilities.

Nooka - I know what you mean about discipline/authority - I want my kids to have respect, but also be able to think for themselves - not be brow-beaten into submission over everything!

The stealing thing is such a pain - a friend of mine said that her DD 'lost' £250 of stuff in a term alone! Some of this must be not taking care of stuff though surely?

[nooka]

It seems terrible to me, I don't recall this happening to me or my siblings at school, but then we didn't have so much stuff. Things like phones and iPods are very stealable I guess. Small and high value. Also easy to lose, or get confused with other people's things I expect.

[mumoverseas]

DD's ipod was stolen in the 30 minute window that she went to breakfast. She left it inside her pillowcase on her bed (in a 4 bed dorm) and when she came back it was gone. Her (thankfully old) housemistress said it was her fault for not locking it away. Her Ugg boots were stolen from the boot room where she has to leave them and make up and clothes nicked from her room. Am wondering if it is in fact a borstal as opposed to a boarding school?

[Librashavinganotherbiscuit]

I went to RGS,I am not sure if this is a pro or con.

[LIZS]

Have several friends with dc at each, and it is really horses for courses. Of the two I'd say RGS is the more traditional and head of Caterham more dynamic.

[Garfieldandfriends]

Dont know much about Caterham however my DN x 2 went / are at RGS - They have both been very involved with the Music and Drama departments at the school. We have been to a couple of the music concerts and Drama productions they have been involved in all of which have been unbelievably amazing. They seem to have flourished there and have been very happy dispite being being quite different in abilities and characters. Not heard of any theft incidents however they are girls and girls tend to be better at keeping track of their things (I have a DS and DD of my own and they are chalk and cheese when it comes to organisational skills) I think the sports are very good there too. The exam results are top notch fingers crossed my DS and DD get in there in a few years.

[ReigateMum]

Just wanted to revive this old thread, to see if anyone else has new views/experience?

We are looking at both of these schools as possible options for DS.

We weren't planning to go private, but the state options for where we live are rather depressing.

[LIZS]

How old is your ds ? Applications to RGS close very soon for 11+ and 13+ (exams soon after half term) and Caterham not long after. Many people hedge their bets and do both

[ReigateMum]

Yes - DS would be doing 11+

I have all the forms etc & have visited - am just trying to get my head around it all!

[LIZS]

I'm told the uniform is cheaper at RGS !!!

[ReigateMum]

But the scholarships are bigger at Caterham!

[LIZS]

So we hope ... However I've known some turn down a Caterham scholarship to go to RGS ! Is your ds at a prep school at the moment ? Don't underestimate the amount of practice that goes on among the competition if not.

[ReigateMum]

Yes - at one of the 'feeder' preps...

[mumoverseas]

A friend of mine whose DD went to prep school with my DD entered her DD for scholarship exams at Caterham and Sevenoaks. Apparently the Sevenoaks one was tiny and the one she got for Caterham much bigger so her DD went there.

[ReigateMum]

Anyone else's DC doing entrance exams today/tomorrow?

DS is currently there at RGS.

After I dropped him off I just had this huge unexpected surge of relief that this is all going to be over soon - I hadn't realised how stressful we'd all been finding it!

[AnotherSurreyMum]

Anyone's DC have an interview at RGS today (or last weekend). How did it go?

DS was not asked to read a passage our loud, but some of his friends were? Just wondered why the difference in styles?

[AnotherSurreyMum]

Anyone else looking at these two schools for their DC?

[AnotherSurreyMum]

Yay! Just had the best possible news this morning.... DS has been offered scholarships at both these schools

Now comes the difficult bit - deciding between the two....

1. RGS is closer, and probably more (though not all) his friends will go there
   DH prefers it because he rates the 'walking distance' thing more highly than I do.
   
   
2. Caterham is, I feel, a very slightly better school, and 'on the up' (vs. RGS, which feels as if it has 'plateaued' a bit in recent years.) I think Caterham is a more prestigious, and more diverse (international students etc) school. It also has a boarding option, which I think DS might enjoy by 6th form.
   The scholarship from Caterham is worth 3x that from RGS
   
   Aargh! I know we're in an enviable position, but it's still hard!

[AnotherSurreyMum]

Thanks LadyMuck - great to hear your experiences.

It really is the location which is the factor causing most discussion.

RGS is within walking distance, and DS would have loads of friends he'd probably hook up with. He would know loads of people at RGS and be a very easy 'comfortable' move for him I think.

The bus to Caterham goes from the bottom of our road however, and he would have some friends there - including a very good friend who lives nearby and he's get the bus with.

I think Caterham would really develop DS, particularly in Maths & Science (which are his passions).
My worry about RGS is that it feels more casual, and I'm worried DS would not work as hard/ become a bit lazy.

He says he wants to go to RGS, but that's based mostly on friendships I think (and the chances are he'll probably be in different classes from them anyway, as I think the scholars are put together).

Anyone else have any views/experience?

[reluctantsuburbanmum]

We have exactly the same dilemma, without the scholarships. If I was in your position, I'd do Caterham on the grounds of finance. DS also wants to go to RGS because of friendships but personally, I'd like to widen the horizons beyond Reigate - also like the boarding option/international element. DH and DS rate walking option more highly than I do though maybe I haven't grasped how inconvenient the whole trek to Caterham will be.
My impression is that RGS is still slightly more academic, or at least academics are more important than anything else. DS not particularly academic or motivated on that front so I don't want to find that the next five years are a monumental pushing the elephant up the hill for me...feel that Caterham might allow a bit more development for a child who isn't super-academic. Feel really worried about making the right decision so if anyone has experience of the journey to Caterham and how long it takes on a weekday morning, I would be very grateful.

(And well done to the DS for getting scholarships - not easy to do.)

[Ladymuck]

How are you planning to do the journey - using the school bus or otherwise?

There seems to be a steady stream of cars dropping off and picking up from the senior school, though obviously lots of pupils come in on the school bus. Don't forget that Saturday will effectively be a school day in terms of sports requirements, so you do have to be able to sort out lifts on that day too.

Caterham also seems to be very good on the university admissions side of things - presumably because they have the boarders to look after. Though that is obviously quite a way off.

From what I hear the Caterham homework timetable is relatively light (it is available to view on the website). Probably in part due to the fact that homework isn't set on Wednesday.

[reluctantsuburbanmum]

Thanks for this...planning to use the school bus as DD at local junior school and logistics would be very tricky. Saturday would be bearable between DH and me. Like the sound of light Caterham homework! From what I have seen of the school, teachers appear young and dynamic and I haven't heard any real negatives (apart from journey). Have you? Presumably you drive to Caterham currently. Is that from Reigate?

Thanks for your help