Experience of KCJS

[stul]

Hi all

I am planning to enrol my son for KCJS and I think he will be able to make it through selection process. Now I have a question for parents having kids at KCJS currently or earlier.

Based on what I have read, KCJS expects that most of the kids go to their own secondary school. Do does KCJS help in prepare for exams for Grammar schools or they don’t focus on that? I am struggling to make a decision, should I enrol my son at some Prep school where they focus on getting all students to good secondary school /grammar schools and prepare them accordingly OR should I focus on KCJS where I have no idea if they help students to prepare for other secondary school’s exams.

Does anyone has any experience with KCJS and share their experience on what to expect at KCJS?

[KTDAD]

Why do you want him to go to other secondary school if he can go to kings? Of course they don't prepare for 13+

[stul]

I want to keep options open. I priority is to have best education for my son. But if there is option to go for a leading grammar school then why not to explore that option. All money saved can for for uni cost.

So I am confused... Should I go for a good prep school and then prepare for grammar or other good secondary school OR go for Kings.

Is there anyone who went to Kings and then moved somewhere else?

[trinity0097]

The only reason IMHO that boys go to KCJS is to avoid the 11+ process into KCS. They will not want to faff around preparing for somewhere else so you would have to rely on tutors/yourself to prepare. Eye can't stop you applying elsewhere but I doubt their curriculum is geared up for it.

What year is your son in now? Where do you live?

[OhTheRoses]

Kings is a commitment. The school may suggest another school is more appropriate. Parents rarely do and boys rarely want to leave unless it's the best school for them.

If money is an issue you may wish to think about spending it when your son is older. It is easier to move from state to private imo.

Kings now has a bigger intake at 11, perhaps that's something you should think about rather than going earlier. Unless your son is at prep I doubt a transfer in at 13 would have been feasible.

Our ds had ten very happy years there. We thought he should move for 6th form when it was IB only. He refused because he was so happy there.

I'll be honest. If you can't afford to see it through to 18 you can't afford to send your child there and it will be a mistake.

Finally, boys go to Kings (girls in 6th form). You won't find any kids.

Have a chat to Dr Silverlock about your aspirations. He's a helpful chap.

[sandybayley]

KCJS definitely doesn't prepare for 11+. In DS1 year one boy did leave to go to Tiffin but that's the only one I can think of. DS2 Year they all stayed. A few (maybe 3 or 4) leave at 13 to go elsewhere (Eton, Winchester etc) but everyone else seems to stay.

If you want a shot at grammar I would suggest Donhead as they are geared up to 11+ exams.

[LesPins]

Kings is absolutely not right if you want an 11+ prep. It is a wonderful, enriching school and the vast majority of boys go into KCS at 13. If you want somewhere to get you through grammar 11+ get a tutor and save yourself the money. Kings will offer a wide and varied education to this point whereas you just want someone to drill on maths/English/reasoning.
Or save your money and send him to Kings at 11. I don't think you'd regret it.

[KTDAD]

The other way around makes more sense. Try 11+ instead of 7+. Why do you think he can get in? My son is sitting 7+ this December, we Don't have a clue ...

[OhTheRoses]

The joy of the application from a state school was that it didn't matter. If he hadn't got in he had chances ahead with KGS, Hampton (not so difficult back then), Emanuel, etc, notwithstanding Tiffin or Sutton Grammar.

As it was he flew in, lovely old John Evans wrote "this boy will do well here" on the offer letter and we avoided transfer at 11 or 13. In the days when it was less stressy and hardly anyone had a tutor. I just remember running through the comprehension paper a couple of days before the exam.

It was all so simple 14/15 years ago. Although if the boys are bright I think it probably is now.

[JoJoSM2]

If your ideal scenario is a grammar school, then you're much better off with a state school and tuition. If your son goes to a prep, he'll still need to prepare outside of school for 11+ so you might as well save some money on school fees.