Wallington County Grammar School (WCGS)

HPFA, WCGS has a greater progress score than the comp in question and is obviously a million times more academic than any comp, anywhere. It’s a lovely school in a gorgeous setting and a fantastic place to study.

Obviously a nightmare if you factor in the 3h commute. That’s why people move if they get a place.

I really genuinely struggle to understand what magic people think there is in the words "grammar school"

You have a place at an Ofsted outstanding school with a superb reputation and an excellent Progress 8 score of 0.64 - that is way above average. And you're seriously considering having your child having a difficult commute of three hours to go to a different school? Presumably just because it has the words "grammar school" in its title.

Sorry, OP, I know I'm being harsh here. But please try and be realistic.

I'm assuming that the Wally Boys place has only very recently been offered (presumably from the waiting list). Hence OP's dilemma.

I don’t understand why these grammars don’t have a catchment area The majority of places are IC but there are OOC places too.

Is this for Sept? You are holding 2 (state?) School places? Yabu. Both desirable schools. Make up your mind and let others get on with their lives. Why would you even apply for a School that involved 3 hrs travelling?

Clement Danes has the best reputation of any school in the area. I live in the next county but we have kids from Bucks desperate to get in there. I also grew up near Wellington and absolutely wouldn't put my child through that commute!! It's crazy. Don't forget half the year it will be dark for most of the journey and extremely depressing. Also his friends will all live near Wellington so will spend his holidays wanting to commute there as he gets older!!

Madness. Go for the comp. I don’t understand why these grammars don’t have a catchment area

That journey is a schlep even for an adult (and I have done it myself on occasion) and as others have said 1.5 hrs is the minimum (and it could be considerably longer if there are issues with trains). He will not get the opportunity to fully enjoy school life (and friendships) living that far away.

If you are not in a position to move, I would opt for the very good local comprehensive where your DS may do just as well (if not better) as if he'd gone to Wally Boys. Gaining a place at a grammar school isn't necessarily the be-all and end-all.

Good luck to him.

That's ridiculous. My daughter is at a nearby school school and someone commutes from east London. They are always late.

Would you commute Harrow to Wallington for work daily?

They will have no life and it won't take much to turn that hour and a half into 2 and a half when a train is cancelled.

They will hAve no friends as wont be able to meet up easily at weekend or after school.

Honestly, that's insane. Way too much every day. And what happens when there are issues with the trains?

1.5 hours each way sounds exhausting to me. I would go with closer.

Harrow to Wallington? That is a crazy commute, for any adult, let alone for a child. Aside from the fact that it would be exhausting, he would never get to see his friends, who would literally on the other side of London. From a social perspective, it would be miserable. I would go for the good comprehensive without any doubt, or regret.

Madness of a journey, he would be shattered and probably struggle academically as a result. Not sure how you are holding both places tbh. Did you not apply to more local grammars? There will be others waiting for a place at Wallington Grammar, release it sooner rather than later.

That’s crazy and will leave him too little time for relaxation, studying, hobbies etc.

I live in the area and find that when families from very far away apply and are successful, they just move to the area.

What was your line of thought when you applied for a school all the way across London?

I’ve just looked up the comp you’ve also got a place at and it looks like a very good comp.

My advise is - don't torture your son. 1.5 hours one way is too much. My son travels to Wally boys 45-50 mins on one bus (no need to change to other transport) and it is more than enough for him, commute is very tiring. If you add on top of the school day: afterschool clubs, detentions (they will happen believe me, even if your son behave impeccably), plus a lot of homework and 1.5 hours commute, your son will have no life and will be very tired