Tonbridge vs Rugby vs Kings Canterbury

[Ezi03]

Hi there,

I am trying to decide between these 3 very different schools for our bright, academic and maths/physics focused son for Sixth form.

He is predicted seven 9s at GCSE. He wants to do 4 Alevels. The boy really wants to be stretched academically and he isnt getting that at his current school. I also want him academically stretched. However as a mom, I also want him to be happy and I want a school that is welcoming of diversity.

I dont know if Rugby or Kings Canterbury can really push bright students for Maths and Physics as I hear they are a bit more laid back (but happy schools) - however if the child is naturally gifted, can Kings or Rugby push him to his academic ceiling?

We are not considering any other schools at this time (registered with Charterhouse and Oundle - but both no longer options for logistic reasons)

Thank you so much for responding

From what you describe, Tonbridge would suit, very academic but also rounded.

Agree - it is the best of the three

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I tend to agree. But which one would then be a good back up plan? Rugby or Kings Canterbury?

Rugby

Tonbridge. Have you considered Sevenoaks - the IB works well for those looking for academic stretch?

Only considering the 3 schools I listed - not considering others tbh

I wouldn't describe them as 'more laid back', but rather that they get the right balance between academics and pastoral care & extracurriculars. They also take in a slightly more diverse student group. Rugby would be perfect. Their physics results in the past have been stellar and used to offer Pre U Physics but it's changed to normal A'levels now, they are STEM is very strong so there's no reason at all why a bright dc won't do extremely well at Rugby. They send a decent number to Oxbridge every year if that's of interest.

Surely you need to start by deciding whether you want your DS to attend an all boys, very sporty, predominantly weekly boarding school (Tonbridge) or a co-ed, more full boarding school which caters IMO for a broader range of characters. (King’s and Rugby).

Academically, Tonbridge may be marginally more selective overall but the top sets at Rugby and Kings will be just as academic. Many students do four A levels. All regularly send students to Oxbridge/Imperial etc to study STEM.

Thank you as was indeed my question…. How do the top sets in these schools compare especially for STEM. If their to sets are all bright and very comparable then that’s good to know.

They're both co ed
Very similar in academic achievements
Both quite traditional in values - Both are Christian.
Both are known as full boarding schools but with a good day student contingent which is well integrated.
Both have a strong pastoral care system.

I don't think there's much to choose from between Rugby and Kings, so it will boil down to:

1. Geography -Distance from home?
2. Rugby dining is all in house which fosters a close sense of community within the house. Kings i think is centralised i.e whole school eats together, but can be more overwhelming especially in the younger years. It's not bad but depends on what you prefer.
3. Flexibility to come home e.g Rugby the majority are full boarders which means exeat every 3 weeks, but it also has a substantial 'day student' contingent. Parents are welcome to take their dc out on a weekend (after sports). I don't know how it works at Kings.
4. The houses? house masters?? have you met them? which one clicked with your dc most?
5. Extracurriculars - What are your dc's? Rugby is strong in sport, has a terrific Art dept, great music. I think Kings also has great sport and Art provision and music even.

Which ever you choose, they are both great schools!

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. This is really helpful to me. Appreciate it

bump

Little experience of Rugby but know the other two well. Tonbridge is by far the most suitable from your description - it is a very STEM leaning school and more academic - with significantly better GCSE and A level results (if league tables mean much to you). It is weekly boarding (other than predominantly international boys), very sporty. Kings is a beautiful and historical setting, but is not really full boarding either - many children go home at weekends. Sporting provision and success is distinctly average and the schools fixture list/circuit is a level below that of the elite boarding schools. Tonbridge on the other hand operates in an elite sporting circuit of fixtures. I agree with another poster though in that you should be thinking all boys vs co ed and full vs weekly boarding for your DS. Its a shame Radley is not on your list as that would likely trump all 3 schools, for a strong all rounder.

Thank you

@Ezi03 have you made your decision? I know these three schools well - happy for your to PM me if you'd like an independent view!

Thank you for responding. I have not decided yet. I will ping you shortly. Thank you again for the offer

I stress Tonbridge is the best and a cut above. I would ignore the non rounded comment. It is rounded, just for more intellectually capable students, but the schools has no less richness outside the classroom compared to Rugby.

Thank you, for a calm response, after an alarming post 😊- yes I see exactly what you mean
thank you

lots of valuable feedback here. are you any closer to a decision?

we had a sort-of-similar choice for our son, of Tonbridge v. Kings C v. Sevenoaks (for y9 entry though). We opted for Sevenoaks, as the most academic and rounded of the 3.

Is your son sporty? i think this is a major factor in considering Tonbridge - i agree with others that it is the most academic out of the 3 you are currently considering, but our impression was always that you had to be nuts about sport to get the most out of life at Tonbridge.

Thank you. We arent decided yet we are visiting in a few weeks so Will should decide Mid November. For more context it’s for Alevels. So it’s just 2 years

If your criteria is academics only then of these 3 schools, it’s Tonbridge by a very long way

but if you also consider distance from home, boarding model (full boarding or come home every weekend), single sex or co-ed then your choice may change.

entirely depends what relative values you put on the different criteria.

if you can give a steer on that I can be more helpful

Great, thank you so much for this feedback, I think this has been my observation - but I am open for more feedbacks

I can't comment on the accusations but these are all great schools but more competitive to get into (Oundle is probably the least but is still not shabby by any stretch). They also have very differing boarding offers. My cousins were at Westminster. Now THAT is a phenomenal education. I have never met a single Westminster who hasn't got the most ridiculous energy and CV.