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Secondary education

Boys Secondary School

10 replies

Trants · 13/10/2016 10:59

HI All

We are about to move to West Wimbledon and hoping our son will get into Wimbledon College. We are catholic. However, I need some other options!!!
The only other boys secondary school I know of is Coombe Boys (not heard great things) or Rutlish (not sure about that). Can anyone help with any others? He is very sporty, kind and sensitive. Well liked by all in his class and very competitive!

Grammar schools are a consideration also but not sure where to even start with that????

HELP!!!

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Trants · 13/10/2016 12:55

Anyone?

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Nowfindingdory · 13/10/2016 14:18

If you are applying for grammer to start next Sept 2017 I believe the deadline to take the test has gone. Definitely for Sutton, Wilson and Wallington grammer school all boys.

Don't know much about the other state schools. From what I know it's a good school, produces ok results. My cousin dud well there. However I think the school itself is not an oversubscribed school.

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Trants · 13/10/2016 14:33

Not applying for starting 2017, rather 2018.

I just don't know where you start with it all. ie. I've just seen something about mock tests? When do you do that?

Do you mean Wimbledon College is a good school? I do like it but I would also like some back ups and to also know about the Grammar schools.

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SaturdaySurprise · 14/10/2016 07:46

The boys' grammar schools are Tiffin School, Wilson's School, Sutton Grammar and Wallington County Grammar school. They all have websites with admission requirements.

You'll need to go to open days though you've missed the one for Rutlish.

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LocalEditorMerton · 14/10/2016 08:07

Hi Trants

Why not have a chat on the Mumsnet Merton & Wimbledon Talk page for local 'insider' info?

Rutlish is a really up and coming school. It has a very small (and shrinking) catchment area. It's in leafy and very sought after Merton Park so getting very MC. Talking to a friend whose DS has just started there and she was comparing and contrasting with Ricards Lodge (the 'sister' girls school) where the DD goes. She said it was noticeable how much more obviously affluent/MC the boys are just by the trips on offer (and uptaken).

Paid for mock tests for the grammars are by no means necessary or compulsory, (currently offered by PTAs at Sutton Grammar School and more recently Wallington County Grammar School for Boys). They do however offer the opportunity for parents/tutors to assess children's suitability, strengths and weaknesses, and give them experience sitting such an exam. They tend to take place in the summer term of the academic year before the children sit 11+ exams in the September.

I think I read somewhere that 35% of Merton secondary school aged pupils are either in the independent sector or go to state secondaries outside the borough. However that is not surprising seeing as Merton borders Kingston, Sutton, Wandsworth and Lambeth at various points.

The open days for the grammar schools tend to be late into the summer term (with the exception of Sutton Grammar School which has an early September one). However the comprehensives now seem to have started offering both summer and autumn open day events too.

Happy to answer any more questions you may have.

Good luck!

Kate

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Maarias · 14/10/2016 12:16

Hi Trants
I am in Wimbledon so can maybe help a little.
Rutlish is now considered the better state school for boys in Merton. Catchment is now smaller so do check first whether you're ok for entry. I know that Colliers Wood is now outside catchment for example.
Grammars are worth a go if you have a bright boy. By which I mean he has to be in the top of the top sets. Maths has to be. Erg strong as the Grammars are very Maths focused. We have just been through this and I wouldn't recommend it unless you and your DS are prey determined and willing to take a tough year of revising. The reason I say this is because you will be competing again tiger parents who are have tutored their kids for years. We have just gone through this whole process hence my honesty on it.
Of the independents most popular choices are KCS (again really only for the very bright), KGS, Emmanuel or the Whitgift schools in Croydon.
Let me know if I can help further. You really need to decide how bright he really is - my DS has just sat all the Grammars and we are now having to prep for January private school exams - it's a slog so you need to see how much effort you're both prepared to put in.
X

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LocalEditorMerton · 15/10/2016 07:18

Totally agree with Maarias about the grammars. You do need to be very realistic about whether it's worth applying. Ideally you would really need to have already started the prep for 11+ exams. I know lots and lots of DCs who have been tutored from Year 2/3/4 to secure places. Increasingly these are in the majority not the minority as competition gets more and more fierce. Tiffin Boys (state grammar school in Kingston) would probably be much more accessible from the West Wimbledon side of the borough than the Sutton grammars (such as Wilson's on Croydon borders of Wallington and 'Wally Boys').

Coombe Boys has not historically had the same reputation that its sister school (Coombe Girls) has enjoyed. However, both schools are now part of a 'federation' and have one executive Headteacher so would imagine that will enhance the reputation and results of the former markedly (if not already). I certainly know of boys on the Wandsworth side of the borough who've secured places there in the past but am sure that won't be the case for much longer.

On the subject of Rutlish, Maarias is again correct. I do however know of at least two Colliers Wood based boys who did get places in May/June (before they were due to start secondary school) from the waiting list, once the 'dust' had settled from the initial 1 March offers day. Rutlish and Ricards Lodge have recently introduced a 'sibling policy' across both schools which is likely to have some impact (yet to be determined) on securing places particularly for eldest/only children reaching secondary school age.

There is supposed to be a Harris Academy Wimbledon opening in 2018, but as yet the temporary location of the school has not been confirmed (although rumoured to be on the High Path estate at the South Wimbledon end). Details are currently sketchy.

As you are catholic, would it not be worth considering The London Oratory School for your DS too? Not local but again know local Merton boys who go there (more often than not their sisters go to the much more convenient and localish St Philomena's in Carshalton).

It is worth also noting that several of the comprehensives in neighbouring boroughs: Graveney (in Tooting which may be super accessible on the 57 bus route depending on where you will be living) and Greenshaw (in Sutton) have 'selective streams'.

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LooseAtTheSeams · 15/10/2016 08:56

From the way you've described your son, OP, he would do very well indeed at both Wimbledon College and Rutlish! I would strongly recommend you visit both the schools to get a good idea about them. Both my sons are at Rutlish and doing very well - they get lots of great opportunities. However, friends with DCs at Wimbledon College also seem very happy. Do look at Graveney as PP suggested but bear in mind of you are out of catchment your son will have to sit the Wandsworth test and there are about 60 places. The catchment for the school is tiny!

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Trants · 17/10/2016 14:02

Thank you so much for your replies. That's a great help.

Although not quite up on the lingo here! What is MC and OP?!?!

Not sure DS would get in at London Oratory as he wasn't baptised before he was 6 months old. He was 9 months! I have been told about St Thomas More in Sloane Square but not sure how sporty that is?

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SaturdaySurprise · 17/10/2016 16:13

OP is original poster. MC is middle class.

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