SW London boys, 11+ grammars and independents

@Delta10 thanks for the info, I'll keep an eye out for that. I agree, Reeds have seemed quite clinical throughout this process, which seems a bit daft - DS has definitely changed his mind at several points based on who sent him cards etc.

@FlyingPandas it's interesting that you say that, as we are definitely not obvious private school candidates (live in a small 3 bed semi, definitely felt our Focus was out of place among the much posher cars at the Reeds open day etc.). But we didn't get that feeling as we looked round - everyone was very friendly and we could see DS fitting in with no problems. But despite that, it is a concern - he's already conscious that his house is smaller than those of his prep friends, and I don't want to exacerbate that by picking the wrong school.

The daft thing is that we could move, but see no need to as we'd rather spend/save our money differently - but it's a very obvious difference for some kids. I just hope it becomes less of an issue as they get older - but it's an argument in favour of the (relatively) cheaper schools.

@Growupsofast we have applied to two out of your three - tbh the sports issue is one we didn't even look at because our DS isn't at all sporty, but we chose RGS and Hampton because we liked their urban, down to earth, grammar school type vibe when we looked round them. We didn't apply to Reeds because its vibe seemed far more 'glossy glamorous private school' (based on location, grounds, facilities etc) and we were both a bit uncomfortable with that. Very much our own personal reaction though and not a negative on the school at all. They are all amazing schools in their different ways.

I have no idea if DS will get any offers - the competition is just so intense this year - but I would definitely agree with @Singingrain1223 about ease of journey needing to be a key factor in the final decision - if we're lucky enough to have a choice, that is.

Good luck to everyone! Not long to wait now...

Hi all. Just dropping in to say i have 2 kids at Epsom and they couldn't be happier. One is very sporty and flourishes due to all sport available , the other is academic and loves the extracurricular activities like debating class and creative writing. They have such a wide range of activities open to them including all the main sports but also drama, shooting, climbing, cooking, swimming and even cheer leading (!) to name a handful - and all on site. They do prep at the end of the day and come back on the bus cheerful and happy with no homework for me to have to support... the Saturday school is sport only for the first two years .. the same as most other independents. Also I have found that the head is very much present and is interactive with parents - and during Covid - has kept in touch through weekly letters etc . All that to say it's a good school with many outstanding academic as well as sporting achievements

Re head of Epsom, I have a friend who has had 2 x ds go through the school, both recently left, and she has never spoken to the headmaster.

@BookShark I contacted Reeds to see if they were planning anything and they said they were going to put a video together which should be released next week. I agree that I would have expected that to have been prepared prior to offer stage as they require an acceptance deposit no later than 1st March. Also, not a biggie but Epsom sent us a personalised Christmas card, St. John’s sent one from the head but Reeds didn’t send anything. Some may say it’s a waste of funds but I thought it was a nice touch and DS loved receiving the personalised one. Reeds were also the only ones not to send a ‘well done’ email thanking DS for adapting so well to a challenging year. I really like how the Head at Reeds comes across though as he seems very genuine and approachable whereas Epsom head is invisible to parents by all accounts.

@Growupsofast , if you get the Hampton offer straight out and not WL (not that is makes any difference ability wise once the ds start) from your gut feel you will probably be able to make a decision re Reeds v Hampton.
RGS v Hampton is a bit harder esp as fees structure is the same. Often the decision comes down to sport esp Rugby, my ds has never played rugby and by opting for Hampton will never have to. I would have thought the music is stronger at Hampton and RGS than Reeds but I don't know. To be honest it's so strong at Hampton you have to be gifted to get a look in. Finally everyone says it, journey is really important and obviously no train option for Hampton unless you want the long walk from the station. (I'm guessing you out of the TFL bus routes).
It does make the ds more dependent on you for any school collection, ie after a school trip
and all the Saturday sport.
Hampton has been the making of my ds giving him academic challenges in the classroom all the time. The level of the teaching is eye opening and I can see how they achieve such amazing GCSE's and alevel results. They push through the curriculum at a staggering rate, my ds can easily keep up and would be been bored at a school with a more normal pace.

DS prefers Reeds to Hampton because it's smaller. Coming from a school prep school in a year of 20, the idea of having 100+ in a year is quite scary, whereas Reeds has smaller classes. But whether that remains a plus as you grow up is debatable.

The downside of Reeds for us is no football, whereas at Hampton it's one of the main sports. But I genuinely think we could flip either way - and may be getting asked of ourselves in thinking we'll get a choice!

I'm surprised there's no mention of an offer holder event for Reeds though - unless I missed it? Seems odd when other schools are doing something, even if it's virtual.

@thisonesfortheroad thank you for the feedback. We were always happy to go for Challoner but did hear a few concerning things about lockdown which was why we entered the independent school process. Were your colleagues considering private do you know? Was the other school you mentioned Wimbledon College?
@ElonanotAlone Have you chosen a school? My son really likes Epsom but I think it’s largely because we managed an external visit plus he really enjoyed his interview with the Geography teacher so he has a better feel than St. John’s which was all done online. I’m more concerned about the longer days and Saturdays than he is!

St. John’s seem to be trying harder than Reeds to give a bit of a virtual feel to offer holders. We’ve already been sent details to attend a Q&A session on Thursday and DS has been united to select activities he’d like to take part in on 27th Feb which I like the sound of.
We have to wait to see if he gets an offer from Epsom.....

Thank you all for the comments, it’s really helpful throwing the ideas into the pot (confused)

Wanted to be in a good position to make a prompt decision once all the letters are in, and have started to look at fees and extras. I knew Reed’s was more expensive than the others we applied to ( I know lunch is included. )

Does anyone have a view on the benefits of Reed’s vs an RGS or Hamptons? It was a while ago but I remember the grounds and faculties were pretty special.

Kind of assumes we will have options to choose from

@Delta10 I don’t have personal/ direct experience, but two of my colleagues are particularly pro-Challoners.

One has a DS in school already and says they did not consider any other school. The other doesn’t yet go to the school, but is so convinced by it, she has put her youngest on the WL for a mid-school/ mid-year offer. Her Ds is already at a “highly sought after” school alongside his two older brothers.

Both colleagues say the school does a fabulous job of assessing, teaching and nurturing the boys according to their strengths as individuals. The one hoping to change schools said she felt it offered more rounded development. Their current school is focused only on results. Unsurprisingly therefore, she quoted the pastoral support and ‘feel’ of the school higher reasons, alongside the more obvious distance/ cost difference.

@Delta10. If this helps we managed a visit to StJ before lockdown/likewise with Epsom. What struck me was how happy and relaxed the children were all around the campus. Facilities are newer and far superior to Epsom in term of science/ Computer studies labs, campus is intimate and not overwhelming and flexi-boarding a draw - once settled in. Also Co-Ed feeling was in harmony.
Epsom, has a brilliant lower school set up & incredible campus grounds for sports, and is more traditional with strengthening academic outcomes.
They are both closely matched.
Does your DS have his heart set on one more than the other?

Delta, not much help as I'm not a parent but my ds got Epsom/st j's offers a few years ago. The schools really cross over and there isn't much in it. Perhaps go on sports as football at St J's/ Epsom and also swimming / squash at Epsom. It's very difficult but great to have the options and many will be in the same position.

DS has received an offer for St John’s this morning & whilst we’re delighted for him, we’re seriously torn on what to do. We applied to 3 schools (2 co-ed) and are now only waiting on Epsom who are emailing offers starting from Monday. As asked previously, we’ve found it very difficult to get a true feel due to Covid restrictions and it’s such a huge decision that I would love to hear from anyone with any experience or knowledge on St John’s, Reeds and Epsom (in case he does receive an offer next week). Financially there isn’t that much separating them, St. John’s is the furthest but DS had a lovely interview, Reeds is the easiest journey and Epsom has the Saturdays to consider. I’m keen to know what other parents felt whilst going through this. All 3 schools have buses that pick up pretty nearby.... aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!

We’re also waiting, am not particularly hopeful. Only applied to 2 independents and so far have a waitlist for the one we thought was realistic. Everything is odd this year though, thinking we should have applied to 4 not 2!! The 2 we did apply for both moved very last minute to online exams in some areas and not testing at all in others.

DS did apply for a good LA school outside of our catchment through their particular specialist criteria and was successful with that but still have to wait and see if he gets a place as they can’t guarantee a spot they just say they would expect him to be offered there 🤯

Oh yes, that's the other issue - why does it have to be in the post? Our post is so flaky at the moment, I'll be gearing myself up for Friday and then probably find we don't get anything anyway!

I also just want it over! Waiting to hear from LU next week- I’m not massively optimistic as the competition is so fierce, but our state first choice is very good, so I’m stressing to DS that it doesn’t matter and he’s achieved a lot by getting an interview in this year’s competition.
Their email says they post the results on Thursday and email on Friday- why in God’s name can they not also email on Thursday?

I just want it over with now. Only waiting to hear from one school - so if we have a choice it will be private vs state

That should be any LESS impatient. And this is why DS sat the exams rather than me....

I just want it to be over! We're the same, keep discussing hypothetical choices which we may not get to make. At least it's only a few more days now. And we're in the lucky position of having an offer from somewhere we'd be happy for DS to attend, so anything else really would be a bonus. But that doesn't make me any more impatient when it comes to hearing from the remaining schools!

How are we all keeping, lots of us still waiting - but only 1 week to go! I just realised we/some are going to get multiple letters this week, and probably on the same day! Hope everyone gets one yes at least.

Thoughts can’t help drifting to how we might choose if we are lucky enough to have more than one offer. Must resist!!

@Jumpalicious, thanks! You're right - they're all so small to be going through this crazy process, particularly with the pandemic on top of the usual 11+ stresses.

@Delta10, we're wondering about the same, particularly in regard to Reed's. We like the idea that boys are strongly encouraged to do lots of activities (it sounds almost like a requirement) and that the school buses don't leave until after extra-curricular activities, but we're wondering how that plays out in practice. Do all the boys get stuck in? What happens to those who might be a little reticent to get involved? I can imagine DS being a bit shy to start off with. I know coronavirus will have restricted the school's recent range of extra-curricular offerings, but if anyone could comment, that'd be great.

Speaking of the pandemic, how are DC currently at Reed's finding remote schooling? Do they feel they get sufficient live teaching input and timely, useful feedback? This is another place where I imagine there might be quite a difference between the state and independent sectors.

Thank you. Yes the fees are very high from year 9 but not really much difference to Reeds. I am a bit concerned about 3 lessons every Saturday from year 9 but DS doesn’t mind the idea (although to a 10 year old, it seems a long way off and he might not been so keen when the time comes!)

No personal experience but Epsom seems to have very long days and Saturday school. Make sure you take note of the school fees hike from Y9 onwards

Anyone with thoughts on choosing a good local State versus independent? I’m particularly keen to hear any feedback or experiences of Reeds, Epsom and St John’s? Negative and positive opinions would be really appreciated as we try to reach a decision in these times of not being able to visit the schools......

My DS has been offered a place at Reeds and we are waiting to hear from Epsom and St John’s next week before deciding what to do. We have a highly regarded catholic state school on our doorstep (Richard Challoner) and we are currently torturing ourselves as to the best option for DS. He is currently at a catholic primary and our decision to look at independent schools was driven by the apparent huge gap in learning during lockdown. We started a group tutor in September plus plenty of Atom and we thought we’d see what happened - we are delighted that he’s received an offer but apart from seeing the grounds (and he sat his ISEB exam there), we have no real feel for Reeds. Sorry this is very liong winded but I’d really appreciate any responses/thoughts and is anyone familiar with Challoner? Logistically it’s fantastic but all of the independent schools we’ve applied to have buses that collect close by. We also have a younger DD iso will potentially be looking at 2 sets of fees!! My DS really likes Epsom but it’s hard not to be bedazzled by their grounds and facilities!