Gordon's School vs. Private school

[Ironfloor]

We want to send DD to;

• Gordon's School or,
  
• private school
  

If Gordon's, we have to move house. Not too far away but for the price you pay, you get a slightly smaller property than what we have now. House prices are pretty high. We have to pay £6000 odd on education still, as Gordon's is semi private. But still not as high as completely private school.

If it's private school, we will need to remortgage current property and spend on education. Cost of private schooling is very high i.e. £15,000 range.

Please, could those of you who have kids going to Gordon's School, advise me whether moving house to West End is a good idea?

Thanks in advance!

[Fffion]

Do you want boarding?

[Ironfloor]

Sorry, forgot to clarify. No, we don't want to use boarding as neither DH nor I are in military. Gordon's takes a quota of the students as day boarders, where you do pretty much everything boarders do except sleep at school. Day boarders also have to pay which is what makes it semi private. You have to live within the tiny catchment area, too (about 1000m which was the widest it's ever been I think).

We want DD to go as a day boarder.

[cece]

Have you been to look at it? In my opinion it would suit some children and not others. DD and I decided against it for 6th form for various reasons but mainly because I didn't think it would suit her.

[Ironfloor]

Cece, if you mind my asking, what made you think it wouldn't suit your DD?

I'm planning to go for a viewing but DD has a few more years to go till secondary school so not sure they'd allow us this early?

[VeganIan]

Have you seen the size of the West End catchment area? It's tiny and getting smaller (most years.) How long do you have to find and buy a house close enough to guarantee entry?

Financially you'll recoup when you sell, but I'm not sure the finances work with the extra ££ to buy the house vs only £7K a year difference between private and Gordons, and you won't know if the house is close enough until you get in.

[cece]

It seemed to put a lot of pressure on the children. My DD get s quite stressed and finds it difficult to stop working so I really felt it would be too much for her - she puts enough pressure on herself without the school piling it on too.
DS1 on the on the other hand would suit that perfectly!

[Emilie1]

Hi everyone,

I was wondering whether someone could tell me whether St George's Weybridge is more or less academic than the Gordon School in Woking.

I have visited the Gordon School and it seems to be pretty academic but I was wondering whether St George's Weybridge would be better suited to my son who is strong in maths but has mild dyslexia. He has been offered a bed at the Gordon School for boarding.

What are your views of both schools in terms of pastoral care, provision for mild dyslexia and academics/results?

Many thanks and best wishes,

Emilie