Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Whitgift v Dulwich

37 replies

Mumofthreelondon · 23/01/2017 21:07

Any views on Whitgift or Dulwich. DS is bright and sporty. Whitgift is far from us but we liked it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mumofthreelondon · 25/01/2017 16:11

You're probably right about travel time - We have a spot much closer by (20 min) at a strong academic school. I'm just worried sports aren't strong enough for DS -

OP posts:
bigTillyMint · 25/01/2017 15:59

Sorry, but I cannot believe you could get to Dulwich from Earls Court in 37 mins and especially not in rush hour traffic.

I live 3 miles away and it takes me at least 20mins at school start time. It is manic round Dulwich with 3 private schoils and numerous state schools in the close area.

Is there nowhere nearer where you live?

Original poster
Mumofthreelondon · 25/01/2017 15:50

Thanks for all the input - yes I'm sure both sports are strong - I was just blown away w whitgift sport but that could just be misperceptions on my part! Dulwich is def easier drivingwise. Right now google maps show 37 min drive to Dulwich v 1 hr to whitgift. DS is into football and running. Not rugby.

OP posts:
AnotherNewt · 24/01/2017 21:20

"whitgift sports are a few notches above Dulwich while academics are similar? Is that the right perception ?"

Very controversial opinion!

Which sports is he interested in? Dulwich excel in some - look at their record in the national schools rugby in recent years.

Which school would you prefer to get to for events, parents' evenings and fixtures? Do you think your DS would find that the easier journey too?

Needmoresleep · 24/01/2017 16:04

It really depends what you mean by good school sport. Some schools (Westminster is an example) are very good at participation, ie getting unsporty kids to find their niche sport, but first team standards can be low. Others have great first teams but don't do much for the rest.

By secondary the better sportspeople will be playing for Club and County. This is certainly true of Whitgift hockey. To some extent then it does not matter how good the school sport is, indeed you might prefer to be free to turn up for a County game rather than be required to play for the school. And if your DS is stuck in a car/bus/train for hours each day they wont be able to play club sport.

Driving to Croydon twice each day from Earls Court is a bonkers idea. Try if for a few days and the problems become clear. (Not least South London seems the epicentre for burst water mains.)

KGS has good sport.I dont know much about the boys, but the girls do well.

Original poster
Mumofthreelondon · 24/01/2017 10:41

Thanks everyone. Yes I'm worried about the commute by train or car to either one actually. We aren't planning to move and we are day school focused but flexi boarding a few nights a week may make sense at Whitgift. There seems to be similar reputation and strong academics at both. I'm still convinced sports much stronger at whitgift but I could be wrong. Im general my impression (right or wrong) is that SW schools sport is not as strong as Dulwich or WG....

OP posts:
VivienneWestwood · 24/01/2017 09:42

Our DS is at Dulwich and has a friend from Earls Court in his class. They gave up on taking the bus as it was often delayed causing them to miss the start of the school day, and wound up taking tube to Victoria and then overland to West Dulwich. Do-able but quite a trek.

LIZS · 24/01/2017 08:58

Wouldn't sw London schools be more accessible or are you looking at boarding?

Needmoresleep · 24/01/2017 08:57

Unless you are talking hockey, or perhaps swimming I don't think Whitgift would be considered more sporty.

Needmoresleep · 24/01/2017 08:56

Unless you plan to move, look at journey times. Whitgift is a real trek. How far does the Dulwich bus go? I know it covers a large swathe of West London, which would mean reasonably local friends. From where you are surely LU or Hampton is more sensible, or one of the North London schools, Highgatge?, or perhaps Emanuel if you have access to the railway line going down to Clapham Junction.

TFL journey planner is your friend along with a knowledge of school bus routes.

Original poster
Mumofthreelondon · 24/01/2017 08:51

Thanks ! we re in Earl's Court so neither is close ... but Dulwich is nearer. Dulwich seems more talked about (a bigger name?) Or maybe just because we are in london ?
DS is incredibly sporty and it seems like whitgift sports are a few notches above Dulwich while academics are similar? Is that the right perception ?

OP posts:
Noitsnotteatimeyet · 23/01/2017 22:53

Which is nearest to you? They're both good schools and I think it would be madness to pass by one en route to the other. Bright and sporty boys will do equally well at either.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread