Deciding between Kingston Grammar (KGS), Emmanuel and Whitgift

@MunchkinJI’m with you on the Head, but honestly, senior leadership changes can happen anywhere, anytime. KGS has such a stable track record regardless, and the staff turnover rate (around 10-15%) is actually quite healthy/moderate for a middle-top or upper-middle independent.
Our main draws are: (1) it's co-ed, (2) there’s a great balance between academics and wellbeing, (3) the commute—only 20 mins for us, and (4) the vibe. The parent body feels very down-to-earth and "normal" middle class. We really feel like we belong here!

To us Emanuel is too far away so never on our list.

We love that KGS seems to have an inclusive culture, not only focus on the small group at the top; and also since it is a co-ed with less number of girls I just think there might be more opportunities for my DD.

My DD is very positive after going to the offer holder's event (she was not very sure before then but after going to three events she clearly has made up her mind) and very practically it is closest where we live so we end up sending our DD there.

(It sounds like there will be 4 kids coming through to KGS from our prep - including my DS - who were choosing between Emanuel/KGS an Latymer Upper. So we’re clearly all in alignment that KGS is the place to be this year!)

We’ve still got to fill in the forms, which I’ll do at lunchtime. Out of interest, what were the clinchers for you guys for KGS? The one thing on my mind is how Emanuel is on a trajectory where it’s shooting up the tables. I’m a little worried the KGS head won’t end up sticking around once his daughter has left the school, and he seems such a huge part of the culture and success.

Congrats to both you and @Etva! Looking forward to being in the same parent community!

@mitaka congratulations to your DD and hope to see you in coming parent events! XX

We were in similar situation with LEH WHS SHS and KGS and had the same worry about the league table but we decided to go for KGS! DD has made up her mind on KGS after the offer holder

At the open day I was told that they are allowed to keep them with them all day :/

https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1759148597/whitgiftcouk/gcwgbmu9tdj28jzg225c/MobileDevicesAcceptableUsePolicy2024-2025.pdf

We have just been to the Latymer upper sport ground visit day. I like it but as we have a younger daughter who is not sporty and quite laid back, I think KGS will be more suitable for both girls.

so I hope we will see each other in KGS! (Tiffin girls result will be out on Monday but we will not choose it anyway), @firsttrax @MunchkinJ wish our DD and DS the best in the secondary school years!

Yes, they don’t make the kids lock them away in anything other than their own bags. But there are now stiff penalties for breaking the rule and, from what I’ve heard, the approach is working.

Have KGS changed their phone policy? I remember a couple of years ago they were the outlier, still allowing phones when most other schools had them locked away in lockers/ yonder pouches etc? My friend said her daughter and friends were on it every break time and lunch time. Good that they’ve cracked down now!

That’s really good to hear, phone policy is a major deciding factor for us!

That’s exciting @MunchkinJ! Hopefully both our DSs will be joining KGS together in September.

Regarding the other points, my year 10 DD confirmed it’s definitely a more down to earth / nerdy vibe which we all love (secret nerd family!).

Can also confirm that the mobile phone policy at KGS works in real life. My DD can use it before / after school in case travel plans change but no one is using theirs in school.

Emanuel has no smart phones allowed into school for year 6,7,8. for older years it's straight in the lockers, the form tutor checks in the morning when register is done. Straight Headmaster Master's detention if caught without a good reason.

@Etva hi, our son also got Latymer Upper. We have found it really hard ruling it out given it’s ranked higher, but some of the Mumsnet posts about the school put us off. My daughter is in Y3 at PHS juniors and it’s already a bit cliquey, we are hoping to move her at 11+ also.

My son woke up this morning and said he thinks he wants to go to KGS, so I think we’re leaning that way now!

@Sssssss123 sorry I am a bit confused about the phone policy… which school’s phone policy do you like and would you mind elaborating a little more the details please? I plan to buy my DD a brick phone but worried if she would look weird if everyone else has an iPhone.

@MunchkinJ we are deciding between LEH and KGS… we actually got offers from Latymer Upper and Wimbledon High as well but LEH and KGS are the closest… I think coed schools are more fun and there will be less cliques among the girls.. I like the idea that all year 7 pupils know each other from afresh as there’s no prep school too. But we also worry whether we should give our DD the best academic environment—-seems LEH rank higher on the league table… it’s such a hard decision to make!

Emanuel has plenty of space on site for games/rugby/cricket, hockey, netball as well as huge sports hall, Gym, rowing machines etc all on the main school site. It is a rather green and spacious school site with open spaces throughout, which is quite amazing being walking distance from Clapham Junction. the younger years are allowed to take their break on the Headmaster's lawn which allows for a run around and there is the peaceful/quiet area.

@MunchkinJ just chipping in as a KGS parent here :-). DD was doing some of the offer holders tours yesterday apparently. I think your impression that KGS has a higher share of nerdy / down to earth children vs make up / tik tok kids is right, I am very happy with the overall profile. You will have all types at all schools, but the percentages differ. I wouldn't really worry about the sports at all, the Ditton field site is great and has a gym / S&C etc, they take them there and back by bus, it is just 15min away.
Even at Emanuel they will need to be bused to Raynes Park for hockey and the like, it is not all on site either. There is plenty of excellent sport at KGS and the coaching staff are very good. The sports hall is just for some PE lessons, while all games sessions and some PE lessons as well as all the afterschool clubs are held at Ditton Field which is spacious and lovely. Good luck with the decision! You can't go wrong with either school. DD has some friends at Emanuel who are also very happy, but they are a bit "cooler" overall perhaps, just on average, that is probably what you observed.

Hello, I wondered whether either of you @Etva @Sssssss123 had many any decisions after offer holder days? We like KGS a lot, but Emanuel is closer. Really struggling to decide, they both seem good. KGS came across as more... nerdy/wholesome (didn't see anyone with lots of make up on or very rolled-up skirts), but also slightly put off by the small and old sports hall - and onsite sports provision in general at KGS (e.g. no gym with strength/conditioning offering) doesn't compare favourably.