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Original poster

RGS Guildford and Reading Grammar

36 replies

Indy5 · 29/10/2013 10:46

I am trying to distinguish the appreciable differences between these two ...i know there is an older thread from last year and I've looked through it but want to refresh the opinions ...school visits were brief and from those and websites as far as I can glean:

RGS Guildford (from 11 or 13)

hear it's like a very good state grammar but private
15k a year fees
25% Oxbridge success
Very strong in maths and sciences - big plus
Sporty but no green fields on actual premises (a downside) - facilities less impressive than other indies at least onsite (not sure if redevelopment program is also affecting facilities from a noise standpoint?) and seems more cramped than Reading Boys
Pain to get to if DS has to stay late, otherwise he can take the train but less local so probably less likely to socialize with friends outside of school

Reading Grammar (from 11)

absolutely free
16% Oxbridge (not sure what subjects though - can't see from website)
not sure how sporty or all rounded it is - very limited info on website
nice green space on premises
I did wonder what they did if much after school re clubs etc.
a bit more local so more likely to have local friends from school

DS would like to have a decent shot at Oxbridge, and RGS look like they haver a nice number getting into Cambridge for Maths and Natural Sciences which is a BIG draw though but saving of fees at Reading boys would pay for some lovely summer science or activity camps overseas which is also something to think about.

Anyone else with the same quandary between good grammar and good indy who chose one way or the other ? Be interested in insight into how all rounded a boy can be at either school and what is relative mix of intake of state to private school boys.

Biggest question though I am asking myself, is the difference between the two appreciable enough to be worth 105k (more by the time he goes there) which is what it would cost taking into account another 7 years private school fees. I can't help thinking that that could be a nice deposit on a flat for DS in a few years time.

OP posts:
mummytime · 29/10/2013 13:57

If you were really after more sport, then I would probably look at another school TBH. RGS is an academic school, not a sporty school. It is also a town centre day school, not a boarding school (which seem to do more sport).

Have you talked to your Son's Headteacher? Are these even the right schools for your son? What are your son's interests? Why the focus on Oxbridge?

Original poster
Indy5 · 29/10/2013 12:45

yeah ... I don't even know if it's a fair comparison...perhaps you get less sports hours per week at senior indy schools than prep schools...(boarding schools aside)..plus for most the extras you do at DS's school after school, you also pay extra.

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AtiaoftheJulii · 29/10/2013 12:39

shrug it's twice as much as either of my daughters had, which is all I have to compare it to.

There's a 13+ entry at Reading too, btw.

Original poster
Indy5 · 29/10/2013 12:08

Atia - meant to add 4 hours sport a week seems low...but i guess comparing to prep school where considerably more and have a longer day as a result

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Original poster
Indy5 · 29/10/2013 12:03

yes have looked at both schools ...but can only get so much from brief tour...still don't think I got "under the skin" of either

I know the sports grounds exist a couple of miles at RGS...I did baulk at lack of green space on site especially compared to what DS has at prep school ...but RGS's reputation and academics seem top notch.

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Original poster
Indy5 · 29/10/2013 11:57

mummytime

Reading somewhat easier commute...within 25 minute commute of Reading by bus and approx 40 mins RGS by train including drop off ...latter an issue for me by car though if I had to pick up after school ...so yes logistics a consideration but not a huge difference in normal commute times for DS...but did think there may be more local boys from Reading where we live than RGS

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Original poster
Indy5 · 29/10/2013 11:50

Good to hear that Atia....DS is at prep school and does lots of after school and extracurriculars hence the questions...good to hear more about the activities esp. drama and music and the classics ... the Reading website really gives little info even under the boarders section on sports etc. and on the tour both the boys who showed us around seemed to finish around 4 every day and then go home but perhaps they were not representative ...so I did wonder about it ...and whether clubs were mostly lunchtime...ideal school is mix of very good academics with good track record of getting boys into Oxbridge but without being a mere exam factory, so a boy can come out truly rounded.

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mummytime · 29/10/2013 11:40

Where do you live? I would think that would be the biggest criteria.

RGS is a brilliant school, but if I lived in central Reading I wouldn't even consider it.

Have you looked at both schools? RGS's main sports grounds are very good, although a couple of miles away. But boys also do cross country running from school up to the downs (and sometimes even across to the sports grounds), they also use Stoke Park and other local facilities.

If you are within the distance criteria of Reading, then you would have a long way to go to Reading (although I know boys who travel further). Are there any other schools more local to you?

AtiaoftheJulii · 29/10/2013 11:26

x-posted - afaik there is no cull at Reading. I know at least one boy who repeated y12 there.

AtiaoftheJulii · 29/10/2013 11:24

Are you applying this year or next?

I know nothing about RGS, but yes, I would say that at Reading they are very into their sport - matches most Saturdays in term time if you are in a team. DS did 4 hours a week of PE and Games in y7, now in Y8 is doing swimming, football, badminton and can't remember the something else this term. So lots of opportunity to find something you like. They also have clubs, e.g. badminton club, triathlon club - not sure whether after school or at lunch. There's a playing field up the road, as well as at the front of the school, and they also use Palmer Park stadium and some university facilities.

Well rounded - music is taken very seriously, drama is pretty popular. So far ds hasn't done any D&T which I'm a bit Hmm about. Again, various clubs. Everyone does Latin, Greek, French, and chooses between Spanish and German. What other sorts of things were you thinking of?

Have no idea where the other boys went to school, but they seem to be a good mixture. Hth.

Original poster
Indy5 · 29/10/2013 11:14

I also meant to ask do either school cull at 6th form and then highly select at RG entrance figures.....not concerned about being culled, but interested though if that might impact of published success percentages and whether that is a good way to compare them

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