Hi Tintinn, I posted your message on our Facebook page to make sure our community on there saw your post. We had a few comments: www.facebook.com/MumsnetExeter. I've copied and pasted them in just in case you're not on Facebook:
It's a long way to go and if your child is bright enough and you are engaged enough then they'll do fine pretty much anywhere, plus they'll get to meet lots of different people, rather than a more homogeneous bunch and become more rounded adults as a result.
I had a "mixed schooling" experience with the Woodroffe School (local and very good comprehensive), boarding school and then Colyton GS. While boarding school gave me enormous horizons and some incredible opportunities I got the best grounding at my local comp. I was relieved when my daughter decided against Colyton in the end, I don't like their hot-housing techniques and no matter what they say, the pressure that is put on the students by the school, some parents and often the children themselves is enormous. If you have a child that is naturally very studious and wants to be study led and can cope well with pressure then by all means. If your child is vaguely "black sheep" like and an individual then they'll struggle to find their niche at Colyton. Only my opinion as an ex-pupil and now parent of GCSE age kids. I agree with you Angela completely, gifted and able children will thrive anywhere with the right amount of input. GS commuting needs to be factored in to any decision as that potentially impacts the entire family.
I went to CGS and am not sure I'll get my children to take the 11 plus as its really hard being one of the brightest children at primary school, then going into an environment where you are below average. It's even worse now with children coming from all over the country. I'm not completely ruling it out but my son is only 7 so have plenty of time and currently our local school is doing incredibly well and I can see my son doing well there.
Horses for courses...My child has thrived at CGS and finds the positive attitude to learning and expanding horizons among their peers refreshing. The commute is social time and enjoyed.