RGS Guildford 2018

[Rianna]

I’ve had so much fun lurking on the entrance test threads in the last years - now it’s my son’s turn .
Still 10 days to go but I’m starting the thread .
Sitting a couple of other schools as well so maybe we could start a general ‘ Surrey entrance exams ‘ thread ( fun ;-)! )
DS ‘s first exam is in two days time .
He’s preparing himself by playing computer games . I let it go as I don’t believe in prepping children too much for these exams - . I just want him to be relaxed .

And to the mum worried about holidays : ask the School ? you might have to ask other mums for help or hire a babysitter for a couple of weeks .

Also , I think my son feels a bit intimidated by the thought there’s going to be all these very clever children . So that’s something I’m talking about with him . I know boys who did not get all a stars at RGS but are very happy there as well ...but yes maybe some children would be more confident somewhere else . What convinced me is that my eldest son was never very good at English and ended up with an a star , and tells me the teachers have been really good at teaching him how to write an essay . He is really positive about the teaching . Of course the gcse year was dull ... those are dull exams . But overall , he’s happy .

Hi. Just wondered if any current RGS mums could answer some practical questions for me... seems I wasn't paying complete attention during our visits to the school Firstly how does it work with the off site sports facilities? I understand the boys are bused out for PE but how often? Are they back in time for normal end of day etc? Also is PE on Saturday compulsory or only if your boy is picked for a team.. On a separate note, my boy will travel by train and whilst I understand 'loads of them do it' is there any kind of buddy system in place to help with the getting the newbies to and fro? (be gentle, I'm a first timer) TIA for any info!

Hi
Sport is mostly based at Brastone Brooke all via buses and the boys so far have had games before lunch and always back in time for that. If they are doing training for sports after school a lot of it is at school but some is at BB and the boys get dropped back at school or the station.
I was very worried about the train but after going in on the morning both mine wanted to travel with others. They make a whole group of train friends and get on the same carriages. I can say the responsibility of the travel makes the DS very grown up and very capable.

Thanks. That clarifies. Also after feedback on the pastoral side. RGS is clearly an amazing school academically but my concern has always been the amount of pressure the boys are under to achieve those results. Our son is a bright state educated boy used to doing well but not arrogant with it. We followed the advice given and didn't tutor him ( went through a few practice 11+ papers at home to familiarise him with the layout etc but nothing more) and he has been offered a place (without the need for second interviews etc) so in theory is up to the work academically. He sat entrance exams at 3 different school and although nervous, seemed to cope with the experience. He's been offered scholarships at two other excellent schools which are however, overall less academic than RGS. Really torn... All 3 schools have pros and cons regarding location, facilities etc so I'm really down to this question - Is it better to be at an academically strong school where you might be 'average' which is still excellent (I've heard tales of boys being upset about straights As because they're not A*s) or at an overall less slightly academic school where you are one of the brightest...
I'm sorry for asking for advice on my first world problem but genuinely interested to hear whether any had the same dilema and what the outcome was. TIA

Aft 3 I have found the pastoral care very good so far . Any concerns have be responded to straight away . Your son sounds like he would cope very well ,after experience with my other children , I would go for the most academic school . He sounds like he will be above average anyway but above all : he will find the lessons stimulating and will find friends with similar interests . He will grow up soon too , about the train . Not that I know off ( buddy system ). They tend to find a friend quite soon . If it would be from our station , I would ask my sixth former to look after yours . I think you could ask older boys when you see them at the station . Some stations are full of RGS boys so your son would only have to follow the crowd , but don’t know where you live .

Hi both mine were state school no tutors both straight in no call back. We had the same dilemma in terms of other schools and scholarships. The school is full of bright DS but I would say that is exactly what our DC are perhaps we just don’t notice their abilities. Neither of mine are bothered about where they are academically they just keep with it. The amount of homework is fine both mine do a lot of other sports outside of school and they cope. It sounds like your DS will enjoy the challenge as mine do.

Aft3 if I speak for my first son , he's not been under any pressure at all . Usually watches a film with me in the evening , also during his gcse 's . I think he does his homework in the morning before school . He thinks he's worked hard for his gcse 's as he did 4 hours a day for history for a few days ...thats all I've seen him doing to be honest . So no pressure at all. If your son isn't tutors he should be fine .Now in sixth form he works more but thats because he enjoys what has doing , lots of extra work .
My younger one is another story as hes been inconsistent over the last years . So I 'm still thinking whats best for him . But yours sounds like he would be more than ok .

Sassy thats it , no more homework than at other schools . The boys are just naturally bright . Some will have to work harder than others , but aft 's son sounds like she should not worry .

I'm trying to decide between taking up a place at Reeds (furthest away), St George's (closest) or holding out for a place at Hampton as he's near top of the waiting list.

My DS is not sporty, fairly clever but lazy, and not very confident in himself. I think he'd be better off being nearer the top at St G or Reeds, than constantly comparing himself to the clever boys at Hampton. But he really loves Hampton

From what I've seen, both Reeds and St G are improving academically and I liked both heads. What to do! We have to respond to the offers before hearing back from Hampton probably.

Mum2G.

Are you 11+ or 13+? I only have experience of 13+

If 13+ you can respond to both whilst waiting for Hamptons but depends onT&C's in the deposit (and affordability) . St G obviously closer to you, how easy is it to get to Reeds? Reeds all boys versus St G co-ed a factor. Both on the up academically, I suspect Reeds more so. Reeds with future tech and focus on STEM subjects means it is very much moving away from its sporty image. Is St G? What are the extra curricular offerings of both schools and how would they suit your ds? St G is bigger, Reeds is smaller. Pastorally I think Reeds is much better as a result. How important is that to you versus the travel? Entry points differ at both schools. At 13+ Reeds are approx 40% entry at 11, 60% entry at 13. St.G majority 65% enter at 11+ and a lot from the junior school. 13+ entry I suspect is trickier in terms of friendship groups etc.

Re waiting for Hamptons, again is it the right school. Considered to be 'more academic' than St G and Reeds. However, pastorally how is it and does it suit your DS. Where do ds's travel from? We did not apply to Hamptons despite having an academic DS as we felt that DS's travelled from everywhere middlesex, london, surrey and as a result felt that DS may struggle with friendship groups. Personal choice for pastoral reasons. Location too, St G and Reeds are leafy, Hamptons much less so and many more boys in a year group compared to St G and Reeds.

If 11+ then totally different considerations to the above.

Thanks Anthos. Yes we need to pay the deposit by early March so holding on for Hampton is a bit of a problem.

I do like Reeds, seems quite nurturing and is smaller, and I like the tech centre. Not too keen on the ethos which has traditionally been a school for rich people. Hoping that is changing. DS would find something to do extra curricular at both schools. St G is closer and is a lot easier for him to get home at a decent hour. Reeds is an 11 hour day including travel which is quite hard going.

The friends issue does bother me about Hampton but travel time from here isn't too bad. And also the size of the Year groups. I think I'd forget it if DS wasn't so keen.

Given the travel time. I would discount Reeds, every day, long day, long journey. Unless the school was offering a lot more than a more local school, it is a lot to ask a teenage boy unless it was their absolute first choice! I disagree about the thought of Reeds being for the rich types though. There is a huge emphasis on the foundation places and being a school that accepts all is encouraged. Fees are not too different compared to other local to Reeds schools (Epsom, St Johns, Hampton). The school is slightly smaller than those but on large grounds, which may explain why fees are slightly higher, plus they do subsidise the foundation places. Some may like that thought, others may not.

Re St.G and Hampton . St.G is much more local to you. It is rather sporty so I understand the fit concerns for your DS if he is not into sport.Although I would explore other extra curricular that they will likely have on offer. Hampton probably is a better fit, but it also has it's negatives.

Are there any more local schools that you have not considered. Claremont Fan? etc.

Claremont - not heard great things about and he needs a more academic school to push him a bit, otherwise he'd quite happily coast along having an easy life!

St G do some clubs he's interested in - tennis and rowing, but not really football, which he likes about Hampton. Not that he'd get into a team though!

Easily swayed by the food on offer, from the third form at St G he can take packed lunches! 11 year old boy priorities

If Reeds was closer, I'd choose Reeds. I think it would be tough for DS who isn't full of energy at the best of times, let alone when he's a teenager

Gremlins we have very similar sons and live in the same area I think . I live 15 min drive from Reeds though . The bus gets very late - not sure if homework is done but my son is better off with a break and then doing it at home ( he’s a procrastinator though ). I hear good things about St. George’s and less good things - some people have spoken about bullying . Unfortunately that’s a human behaviour . I’ve never heard a bad word about Reeds . But yes , the long days is why we had discarded it at first . The money . It is an expensive School in Surrey . Schools that offer boarding will be more expensive but have better food and pastoral care . So as a result you will have richer people . It’s not the money people have , it’s how attached they are to it . And to be honest that’s similar for most people , I have no idea how many foundation places Reeds have , but for me it would be the more the better for balance .Any boy that gets into a school like Hampton without excessive tutoring should be fine .But children like ours might be more confident in a different environment, especially when younger . I’m not much of a help . Similar choice to make minus the waiting list uncertainty .
What does DS exactly mean ? Is there a mumsnet dictionary somewhere ?

Why not make a thread asking feedback about St. George’s or Reeds - or a general Surrey secondary schools feedback thread ?

btw I’ve decided to go to offers holders Afternoon RGS and open morning Reeds . Everyone who’s undecided : see if your school organises something .

DS - darling/dear son!

DS2 didn't get into RGS but I wouldn't have sent him there anyway as it would hurt his confidence and wouldn't work as hard as they require. My older son is there and it's pretty tough, even though he's bright and works hard. That's why I'm not sure if Hampton will be the same. DS2 needs more nurturing and confidence building (which St G and Reeds may both offer)

Then I would go for Reeds ...
I’m seeing them both again anyway . You are making me doubt ... his brother is more than ok but he’s a different boy . Needs more carrot then stick I guess .
And thanks for the explanation what I’m calling my sons all this time ! Darlings :-)

( I think RGS and Hampton will be similar and agree there’s more to life than academic succes . He will do just as well somewhere else ).

Just out of interest from those who already have boys at the school. In the long run does it make any difference whether your DS gets in with no interview/has an I ter view or needs to come back and do 12+? Is it any indicator of where they will be positioned within the year group?

Madworld there’s no streaming .Dr Cox said on the test day an interview boy got into Cambridge . That won’t be mine but no worries .

Mad, I know quite a few of the call backs in several of the years. Some of them have had extra sessions of maths to keep up within the school but I think in the main most of the boys are of a similar ability. They are very good at helping the boys keep up to standard so none of them feel worse than the others. I can also tell you the scholars aren’t necessarily the top performing either which is interesting. I really wouldn’t worry about the call back.

Sazzy that’s very helpful , Thank you .

Thank you sazzy. Interesting about the scholars- I suppose it's because they were coached for the 11+ and are no brighter. Do they ever take the scholarship away? Doesn't seem fair. Everyone else is paying for it......

Madworld , the scholarship is beteren 5-10 of the fees I think . It’s little more than an honour and no big deal . There’s no pressure either luckily . I guess it’s a tradition . More importantly , there’s bursaries . These pay all the fees I believe and also the extra’s . I’ve made my decision and my son is going there . Still going on Friday to the offer ‘s holders . I think it will be nice for the little man himself .