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Original poster

Sevenoaks vs Caterham

42 replies

numptynoodle · 12/02/2023 09:16

Just that really, we have Year 7 offers from both. DD is very mathsy so we're worried about the IB but know that's not necessarily a decision for now. Sevenoaks involves less of a commute. I think if Caterham were in the doorstep I'd go for that as my sense is that it's a bit gentler and has a more innovative approach to learning but the long commute puts me off...

OP posts:
Original poster
numptynoodle · 18/02/2023 10:05

That's exactly why we liked Caterham, it seems to be thinking about the future - jobs, technology etc. Even their entrance papers were geared to this and DD really enjoyed them for that reason.

If you're boarding does that mean you have a year 9 offer for Caterham? I didn't think they did boarding in year 7?

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fili77 · 18/02/2023 08:15

Glad I found this post. We are in the same exact position. Our dd has offer from both schools but to add to the mix our eldest is at Sevenoaks already. We always thought sevenoaks would have been the obvious route for our youngest as well but she is Very passionate about technology and computer science and caterham just seems to be there and so forward thinking while sevenoaks does not. Obviously sevenoaks has the brand and recognition but caterham seems to be getting closer and closer to be that. The distance worries us as well but we registered for the two days a week boarding.
as a current sevenoaks parent, it is an amazing school but def for self starter and very independent and strong children. My dd is very happy there because she is that kind of child. Not sure all are academics and committed though; they do get children who are not really that.
wealth, it is true; there are very wealthy children with surreal lifestyles but it does not seem to affect friendships in my experience and I would say mostly from year 9 when the boarders come in.
many caterham parent who can advice?

WombatChocolate · 16/02/2023 19:10

There is always the option to move for 6th Form anyway, and it might be worth finding out how many do leave SevenOaks - perhaps the IB pushes some away but also pulls others in at that point.

SevenOaks is a big IB school. Quite a lot who offer it are now also offering A Levels, and I’d say that after a real growth in it, its popularity has waned. That doesn’t mean it’s not good or even better, but many schools don’t want to only offer it.

I guess if your child definitely leans in one direction, an A Level 6th Form might suit better. Not sure though if you should choose the whole 7 years of schooling because of that. You’re near SevenOaks and it is a very prestigious and academic school. Who knows exactly what their 6th Form will be doing in 5 years (although they have always been at the forefront of IB so perhaps are less likely to offer A Levels than most) or what your child will be like/doing, so I’d say choose for now and to GCSE.

mothertwotwo · 16/02/2023 04:58

Congratulations on your DD being offered places at both!
if you’re keener on caterham, don’t let the bus put you off. My child is at Caterham and there are lots of kids from sevenoaks who get the bus from year 7. The upside of the bus is that they quickly meet local friends, although the downside is the cost!
DD is now in 6th form at Caterham and has had a really positive experience there.

Original poster
numptynoodle · 15/02/2023 17:40

No! I agree with your assessment of the perception though. Sevenoaks definitely feels a bit more alpha and clinical. Lots of tiger kids from overseas. Caterham gave the impression that they knew her and wanted her to go there. Caterham's results aren't as good but then they have an intake from their prep which isn't as selective as the main intake. Sevenoaks is super selective so you'd expect great results.

We're also not keen on the IB, we think disadvantages the kids when they apply to uni.

Sevenoaks is really easy for us to get to whereas DD would need to take the bus to Caterham, she seems a bit young for that.

Decisions!

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Silvergone · 15/02/2023 16:35

@numptynoodle We have the same question! Did you manage to find any ‘inside info’ on either school? I hear such mixed reviews of Sevenoaks, seems very love/hate, it’s so confusing. Everyone keeps telling me that Sevenoaks is for ‘self-starters’ and Caterham is more nurturing but I have no idea if that’s true.

LIZS · 12/02/2023 11:42

There is always an IB equivalent in the uni offer grades, often preU, Btec or points too. You don't need to decide which route would suit her better until year 11, although it may affect the ethos of the school lower down.

Original poster
numptynoodle · 12/02/2023 11:35

@IndeCandidate for the IB you do 6 subjects, three at basic level and three at "higher" level. The subjects must include maths, English, a science, a humanity, a language and an art. There are then additional requirements - an essay and service.

For A-levels people choose any 3-4 subjects they would like. If they're better at maths/ science they can drop English/ languages etc and vice versa. Most unis in the UK need 3 A-levels.

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IndeCandidate · 12/02/2023 11:33

@numptynoodle
thank you so much , I will research more

you are kind n wish you luck

Original poster
numptynoodle · 12/02/2023 11:32

@IndeCandidate I'm not the expert but I have heard from others that if your child is going to end up doing maths or sciences at a top university (e.g. Oxbridge) the IB is too broad to get the level of technical specialism needed as it's diluted by other subjects (English, Languages etc). Whereas at A-level you could do maths, further maths, economics and physics without that dilution. That said, if you're looking more roundly at education it's probably better to cover the other subjects too.

I would check with the school though as I don't want to misinform.

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IndeCandidate · 12/02/2023 11:16

@numptynoodle oh !

thank you for bringing this point . I m new to British education system but my boy is super duper mathsy n I can very easily see him choosing maths n further maths .

why is doing those at A level is better?
is IB syllabus different for these two.

I m really sorry for my dumb questions

Original poster
numptynoodle · 12/02/2023 11:06

@IndeCandidate it was more that she's less good at English/ languages and you have to do those for the IB. The IB is very good for maths if you do it at the higher level but probably not as good as maths and further maths at A level (which you might need to do maths at university).

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IndeCandidate · 12/02/2023 10:57

@numptynoodle

i wanted to understand this statement
DD is very mathsy so we're worried about the IB

my boy loves maths so does IB not support maths well ?

LIZS · 12/02/2023 10:37

Not for a while.

Original poster
numptynoodle · 12/02/2023 10:34

Do you have children there @LIZS? What's your experience if so? Would be really interested to hear from current parents.

@IndeCandidate I'm not sure I understand the question?

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IndeCandidate · 12/02/2023 09:44

What is relation of maths and IB ?

LIZS · 12/02/2023 09:18

Plenty of kids commute from Sevenoaks to Caterham , there is a school bus route but depends where you are in relation to it.

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