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Original poster

Reigate Grammar or Caterham?

67 replies

AnotherSurreyMum · 28/05/2010 14:54

Have been to see both of these, and am very torn/confused:

  • similar very good academic results
  • Caterham seems your 'classic' independent school - large grounds/facilities, good discipline, polite children
  • RGS seems a bit more 'towny' - doesn't really look like an independent school (more like my old comprehensive!) The kids aren't quite so polite, but seem confident and successful?
Seems a bit scruffy, and I've herad lots of reports of stuff being nicked around the school?

DH & I marginally preferred Caterham, as it seemed more obvious what you were paying for?

DS1 favours RGS as it is likely more of his friends would end up there I think.

Any experience/views?

OP posts:
ReigateMum · 07/01/2011 10:31

Anyone else's DC doing entrance exams today/tomorrow?

DS is currently there at RGS.

After I dropped him off I just had this huge unexpected surge of relief that this is all going to be over soon - I hadn't realised how stressful we'd all been finding it!

mumoverseas · 22/09/2010 13:14

A friend of mine whose DD went to prep school with my DD entered her DD for scholarship exams at Caterham and Sevenoaks. Apparently the Sevenoaks one was tiny and the one she got for Caterham much bigger so her DD went there.

ReigateMum · 21/09/2010 18:54

Yes - at one of the 'feeder' preps...

LIZS · 21/09/2010 16:42

So we hope ... However I've known some turn down a Caterham scholarship to go to RGS ! Is your ds at a prep school at the moment ? Don't underestimate the amount of practice that goes on among the competition if not.

ReigateMum · 21/09/2010 16:39

But the scholarships are bigger at Caterham!

LIZS · 21/09/2010 16:38

I'm told the uniform is cheaper at RGS !!!

ReigateMum · 21/09/2010 16:37

Yes - DS would be doing 11+

I have all the forms etc & have visited - am just trying to get my head around it all!

LIZS · 21/09/2010 16:34

How old is your ds ? Applications to RGS close very soon for 11+ and 13+ (exams soon after half term) and Caterham not long after. Many people hedge their bets and do both Hmm

ReigateMum · 21/09/2010 14:40

Just wanted to revive this old thread, to see if anyone else has new views/experience?

We are looking at both of these schools as possible options for DS.

We weren't planning to go private, but the state options for where we live are rather depressing. Sad

Garfieldandfriends · 17/06/2010 11:13

Dont know much about Caterham however my DN x 2 went / are at RGS - They have both been very involved with the Music and Drama departments at the school. We have been to a couple of the music concerts and Drama productions they have been involved in all of which have been unbelievably amazing. They seem to have flourished there and have been very happy dispite being being quite different in abilities and characters. Not heard of any theft incidents however they are girls and girls tend to be better at keeping track of their things (I have a DS and DD of my own and they are chalk and cheese when it comes to organisational skills) I think the sports are very good there too. The exam results are top notch fingers crossed my DS and DD get in there in a few years.

LIZS · 30/05/2010 13:31

Have several friends with dc at each, and it is really horses for courses. Of the two I'd say RGS is the more traditional and head of Caterham more dynamic.

Librashavinganotherbiscuit · 30/05/2010 13:28

I went to RGS,I am not sure if this is a pro or con.

mumoverseas · 30/05/2010 13:18

DD's ipod was stolen in the 30 minute window that she went to breakfast. She left it inside her pillowcase on her bed (in a 4 bed dorm) and when she came back it was gone. Her (thankfully old) housemistress said it was her fault for not locking it away. Her Ugg boots were stolen from the boot room where she has to leave them and make up and clothes nicked from her room. Am wondering if it is in fact a borstal as opposed to a boarding school?

nooka · 29/05/2010 17:13

It seems terrible to me, I don't recall this happening to me or my siblings at school, but then we didn't have so much stuff. Things like phones and iPods are very stealable I guess. Small and high value. Also easy to lose, or get confused with other people's things I expect.

Original poster
AnotherSurreyMum · 29/05/2010 08:51

Thanks for these. DS1 isn't particularly sporty, but quite academic & also musical. RGS seems to have fab music facilities.

Nooka - I know what you mean about discipline/authority - I want my kids to have respect, but also be able to think for themselves - not be brow-beaten into submission over everything!

The stealing thing is such a pain - a friend of mine said that her DD 'lost' £250 of stuff in a term alone! Some of this must be not taking care of stuff though surely?

OP posts:
nooka · 29/05/2010 07:06

dh went to Caterham, and I can't say that from what he has said it is a school I'd recommend. But that was a long time ago, and it's probably changed a lot. The discipline (aka stupid rules) were one of the things he really disliked, and it's certainly left a mark (he has a big authority problem). I went to a small independent school and then on to a big public school, and the facilities were definitely better at the later, but as to which was the better school, I'm not totally sure. I think that you have to think about your son and his needs and interests and decide on that (ie no point in sending an unsporty child to a sporty school - indeed that could be a real negative)

mumoverseas · 29/05/2010 06:51

I've seen RGS but not Caterham but know parents who had sent their DC to both. My impression is that Caterham is more 'posh' and I think the sporting facilities there are excellent. Ref the stealing, it goes on everywhere. DD is at a boarding school in Reigate and so far has had her new Ipod, make up, jewellery, a few items of clothing and her new Ugg boots stolen Good luck with your decision