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Original poster

Best secondary schools in Surrey

36 replies

Catchmum2017 · 17/07/2016 18:19

Hi Mums,
My son is going to be in year 5 from next academic year. It's a crucial time as by end of next year we need to sort out a good secondary school for him .
My DS is just an above average student .. He is good in maths and reading but when it comes to writing he is one lazy boy . He is very able but because of his lack of concentration and sometimes lack of focus, he doesn't perform according to his ability . So be that music( he started piano last year and did his initial with distinction and on grade 1 for next term ) , cricket ( he plays for local clubs and school ) and studies he doesn't perform to his best ability .. He is just a normal 9 year old boy that's what I am always told in his school . With the madness of grammar schools around me , I get a bit lost and frankly I don't see my child getting into any . He is good but he is not excellent . So instead of joining the madness I thought I will start searching for good / excellent schools around and let him grow on his own pace. I am based in Croydon but I am okay to move out in and around so that we can get him admitted to a good school . Can you suggest me some please ? I also planning to try some independent schools in Croydon for 10+ .. Can you please let me know ?

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Titsywoo · 24/07/2017 23:17

Apparently they'll be bringing in outside agencies for sports, dance etc so will be offering top notch teaching for these.

Marvellousmarg · 24/07/2017 18:07

Thanks Titsywoo!
It's interesting they are going for performing arts being so near to Shrley high.

Titsywoo · 24/07/2017 00:37

Don't know why the link isn't working but google coombe wood school to find the website which gives the dates they are doing talks.

Marvellousmarg · 23/07/2017 11:17

That's interesting I'd heard this was being planned but didn't know where it would be.

Your link doesn't seem to be working.

Titsywoo · 22/07/2017 15:12

I think they are offering places to Park Hill and St Peters first as feeders but then are offering on sports ability before distance as they going to focus on that and performing arts.

Titsywoo · 22/07/2017 15:09

www.cws-croydon.co.uk/

Titsywoo · 22/07/2017 15:08

There is a new secondary which should be opening in Croydon next September called Coombe Wood which is being set up by the foundation that run the Wallington Grammar schools. They are doing talks about it in schools around the area.

Marvellousmarg · 22/07/2017 15:01

Good to hear other opinions re Croydon secondaries Merlot, as I have DC going into Y5 so will be doing the rounds in Sept!

Marvellousmarg · 22/07/2017 14:59

I am hearing that it's gaining in popularity year on year and is first choice for the majority of local parents.

Marvellousmarg · 22/07/2017 14:53

Yes Reigate and Coulsdon 6th form are run by the same management. Oasis Coulsdon students can study 6th form at either centre, or both I think, depending on Alevel subject choices.

merlottime · 22/07/2017 11:00

Yes, Oasis Coulsdon feeds into Coulsdon College not Reigate, although some kids probably do go to Reigate. Oasis is the least favoured of all of the local secondaries, but I think it is improving.

LittleIda · 22/07/2017 10:05

Although it looks like Coulsdon has the same executive head as Reigate.

LittleIda · 22/07/2017 10:03

I could be wrong but I thought the Sixth form provision for Oasis Coulsdon was Coulsdon College
www.oasisacademycoulsdon.org/content/post-16-26

Marvellousmarg · 21/07/2017 19:08

Oasis Coulsdon has been fab for our friends daughter and is increasing in popularity. She was in top sets so pushed academically, said she also enjoyed lots of trips and extra curricular.

Relatively small for a secondary with good pastoral care and lots of opportunities. It is 11-16 but they have 6th form entry to Reigate College which is outstanding.

Original poster
Catchmum2017 · 19/07/2016 08:34

Hi Sciencerocks and Ladymuck ,
Thanks for your reply . @Sciencerocks- It's not the question of me considering or not considering grammar school exams -
It's the question where I am
Not sure yet whether he can make it through the tough exams .. By all means I will make him write the exams but frankly speaking I am not expecting anything out of it .. If he can
It's brilliant else I still want to keep my options open and hence i asked about the good schools in Surrey .

@Ladymuck - yes uptill this year there is no second exam in English and maths at wally boys but we never know . Every year they change the exam pattern .. Next year we will come to know what's the exact requirement.
I know I can search online for ofsted reports but sometimes that can be misleading and I thought no one can tell me better than mums who have personal experiences .
Thanks once again for your responses . :-)

OP posts:
Ladymuck · 18/07/2016 16:09

You have to be strong at English as well as Maths for a grammar place, though Wally Boys doesn't test written English which makes it a possibility.

ScienceRocks · 18/07/2016 15:58

My understanding is that sports scholarships are only really awarded to those competing at minimum county level, and music scholarships at quite high grades.

Would you consider state grammar? Some very good ones in Sutton - wally boys etc.

JE678 · 18/07/2016 11:27

And yes, honestly those reports won't help although it will be the Head's reference that needs to be glowing. If he needs to mature a bit first then a few years in prep may be ideal. At my DS' prep school quite a few join for year 7 and 8 to access great independent senior schools.

JE678 · 18/07/2016 11:25

Honestly, I would put him in a prep school until year 8 if you are serious about trying for a scholarship at an Indy and then apply for 13+. Message me if you want some recommendations, mine have all gone through the prep system.

Original poster
Catchmum2017 · 18/07/2016 11:14

Thanks Ladymuck and soup dragon for your responses . That does give me an idea about the entry process .. I am going to work on his weaknesses and his strengths over the summer holidays and the remaining 4/5 months and just go and try our luck to see how he does in the entrance exam really and take it on from there . Thanks all for your help and suggestions .

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SoupDragon · 18/07/2016 10:13

Both W and T offered DS2 places at 11+ despite every positive in his reports beginning with the phrase "When focussed, SmallDragon2..." I don't think you need to worry about the report side of it if your DS performs in the exam and at interview. The interview is really nothing to be worried about if you have a reasonably confident child. They will be used to talking to boys of all types and characters anyway.

Ladymuck is right about not being overly optimistic about a scholarship.

Ladymuck · 18/07/2016 10:07

I think that you need to be realistic about prospects of a "good" scholarship at 10+. W&T would be more generous with the means tested bursaries, but the scholarships at this stage might not be as generous as you think, and certainly more discount will be awarded to outstanding academic results than to sport.

If you are looking at a scholarship then the interview will be to see whether the boy is as intelligent as the exam result might suggest and has a natural thirst and inquisitiveness, or whether he has been "prepared" for the last few years. There are a surprising number of children who seem to peak at their entrance exam.

That said, both schools take in a range of boys. I don't think that the reports so far are a cause for concern. Obviously the schools will look to see whether they tie into his exam results.

Original poster
Catchmum2017 · 18/07/2016 08:19

Thanks a lot everyone for you quick responses . I will research on the schools you mentioned and hopefully can sort out something by next summer . I am aiming whitgift and trinity but offcourse only if my son can manage some overall scholarship and a good percentage of that in 10+ entrance . He is good in cricket , swimming and very good in maths so if he can manage something fine else I will have to look into all the state schools you mentioned and especially the one with sports facilities .
Can anyone guide me how to deal with interview part with trinity and whitgift ? I have heard a lot depends on how well you represent yourself there .
Also will previous year end report cards have any knock on effect on admissions ?
His year 4 reports show that he is beyond levels in maths , science , reading , PE , computing but within levels for writing, French . His effort and progress has been "B" which was "A" last term . Also it's mentioned that he is an able child but due to his focus issues he sometimes need time to settle down .
What my question is I know I have to submit these year 3/4 results to trinity and whitgift .. Will that be any problem in terms of his admission with this report card especially where they mention about his focus issues ?
Thanks once again for all your responses ..

OP posts:
MakeLemonade · 18/07/2016 07:58

Glyn in Epsom would be my suggestion too, in my experience (two brothers who attended) they are excellent at managing lazy but able boys to good results.

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