Reigate Grammar or Caterham?

Hello
I am new here. I hope this is helpful...

I know 2 teachers and several children at Caterham and I wouldn't recommend it. There have been a lot of problems with bullying and also with drug taking. My friend was crossing the road there last term with her DD and a parent nearly ran her over, he bellowed out of his window "get out of the way, don't you know who I am?". My teacher friend said this is v typical of many parents there and the children are mini versions of that! One child just started is already having lots of sickness because girls in her class have been stealing from her and tricking her into giving them things. School doesn't offer much support.

There is also a terrible traffic problem - if you intend on driving and have a job to go to this might be a big consideration!! Worth visiting at drop off time to see for yourself!

DD went to Woldingham, I would rate this v highly and also might be worth considering Alexandra and Albert if you don't have a budget for Caterham or RGS.

Notre Dame in Lingfield is excellent, I know a couple of parents there and they are very happy all round and the children are v happy.

Hope this helps :)

Finally worked out your clue...brilliant! Let me know which way you leap!

Another Surrey Mum...are you a book fan? Or JN? I'm enjoying myself far more here than I thought I might...quite see why your DS got a scholarship if your clues are based on non-verbal reasoning! DS and I have been sitting gormlessly scratching our heads over that.
LadyMuck...thanks for all this info...it's really helpful.

I get the impression that there are frequently fixtures at the weekend. Certainly since Jan ds1 has had 3 or 4 Saturday fixtures and years 7&8 seemed to be playing at the same time. Certainly if the children are willing they seem to get used. The norm seems to be that the lower teams are mainly included on Wednesdays, though we did have one Saturday where all boys had to turn out. But this is prep and if anything I would expect the Senior school to be more demanding.

I'm not Reigate based, I come from Croydon direction along A22, or more commonly along Hayes Lane. There is a back road into Harestone Valley Road which comes out near Merstham - no idea what the fastest route from Reigate is. Drop off in the mornings is easy if you aim to be earlier than 8:15. The prep school drop-off is between 8:15 and 8:30 so everything slows down a but then. There is a lot of traffic at 4, so an onetime quick pick up probably isn't possible, though some parents meet their children a bit further away from the school.

From the experience of friends in previous years you shouldn't have a problem taking another visit to the school next week. It is a common query, and I know a couple of parents who are planning to do this.

Hilarious. CB's friend? Husband who works in Wales? At same school as my kids?

Oh...I've been rumbled! You are definitely in driving seat here as I have no idea who you are!

DH away a lot so we're going to have to make an appointment to go when he's here. There is definitely another open day at RGS next week, not sure about Caterham. I agree that Caterham does much better on the marketing. RGS seemed a little take it or leave it to me. Clearly the Caterham strategy worked, even though I too would like to see a normal day!

I bet we know each other too - this is Reigate after all! (Or we'll know someone in common.) Children not at RSM - hadn't thought of that when I chose nickname! We're going to try and re-visit schools next week and make the decision then...DH likes Caterham a lot but prefers convenience of RGS though ultimately he will probably let me decide as I'm the family taxi...

Best of luck with your decision - hope it goes well for you.

Am in Reigate, off Blackborough Road (about five mins walk from RGS!), so yes, bus an option - it leaves from Croydon Rd at 7.45 and returns at 4.15 but there's a late bus at 6 as well. Thought I'd make having a place on the bus a condition of acceptance! Don't think Saturday is a school day but my DS is into his sport.

Maybe if we do end up sending DSs to Caterham we could get them together in the summer so at least they know someone? Like your DS, most of my DS's friends are going to RGS.

Ladymuck - thx for suggestion of looking at homework on website...think it shows flexible thinking that there's no homework on Weds - I would definitely prefer DS to be doing sport and having a night off! (And me!)

Thanks for this...planning to use the school bus as DD at local junior school and logistics would be very tricky. Saturday would be bearable between DH and me. Like the sound of light Caterham homework! From what I have seen of the school, teachers appear young and dynamic and I haven't heard any real negatives (apart from journey). Have you? Presumably you drive to Caterham currently. Is that from Reigate?

Thanks for your help

How are you planning to do the journey - using the school bus or otherwise?

There seems to be a steady stream of cars dropping off and picking up from the senior school, though obviously lots of pupils come in on the school bus. Don't forget that Saturday will effectively be a school day in terms of sports requirements, so you do have to be able to sort out lifts on that day too.

Caterham also seems to be very good on the university admissions side of things - presumably because they have the boarders to look after. Though that is obviously quite a way off.

From what I hear the Caterham homework timetable is relatively light (it is available to view on the website). Probably in part due to the fact that homework isn't set on Wednesday.

We have exactly the same dilemma, without the scholarships. If I was in your position, I'd do Caterham on the grounds of finance. DS also wants to go to RGS because of friendships but personally, I'd like to widen the horizons beyond Reigate - also like the boarding option/international element. DH and DS rate walking option more highly than I do though maybe I haven't grasped how inconvenient the whole trek to Caterham will be.
My impression is that RGS is still slightly more academic, or at least academics are more important than anything else. DS not particularly academic or motivated on that front so I don't want to find that the next five years are a monumental pushing the elephant up the hill for me...feel that Caterham might allow a bit more development for a child who isn't super-academic. Feel really worried about making the right decision so if anyone has experience of the journey to Caterham and how long it takes on a weekday morning, I would be very grateful.

(And well done to the DS for getting scholarships - not easy to do.)