Whitgift School vs Epsom College

[user1488362582]

We are currently agonising over choice of school for a year 7 student who has been awarded scholarships at both schools and would welcome any advice from any parents who have sent their child to either of the above schools from the local area.
Both schools offer a bus service but Whitgift does feel a tougher journey despite being the same number of miles. Our son is extremely sporty and whilst Whitgift would appear to win on this front they are blessed with many more boys to choose from. Epsom appears a very privileged set up that is very forward thinking in its approach to learning. The school day is long and busy but still exudes calm and happy children. They also provide supervised prep at the end of the day so even after a long commute at least you return home free of h/w. One is co-ed and 750 students (incl boarding) and the other 1450 boys.
Any general views from parents who have children at either of these schools would be gratefully received and would be very interested to know of any families that have siblings at the schools.

Look at the sports your son favours and check how many teams they field - this should give you an idea of the opportunity to play

Why would the Whitgift bus be a tougher commute than the Epsom bus?

Both field teams at his chosen sport although Whitgoft is more successful nationally largely because of the number of boys they have available.
They journey from SW London is certainly more tricky travelling across london to south croydon then travelling down the A3 to Epsom.

What I mean is look at how many teams they field in his sport per year - if they have 8 teams per year = more chances to play vs 4 teams

He won't be driving the bus will he?
What is the difference in the two school bus journeys or will he get the train to Croydon?

I have no knowledge of Epsom College but a large number of boys travel from SW London to Whitgift every day from Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Common, Balham etc. It's an easy train journey for when your son is older and wants more flexibility and considerably cheaper than the bus. In the younger years Whitgift fields lots of teams in all the main sports so if your son is a half-decent player he should have no problem playing for a team.

There are hordes of Whitgift boys commuting together from SW London by train -- I gather that it's the social highlight of their day!

Have you factored in Saturday school at Epsom?

Hi, we have the same choices this year and wondered what you decided in the end and how you’ve found it? Also we have Reeds, St Johns and Harrodian so very confused and also agonising. Thanks!

what decision did you come to in the end ?

Hi, we haven’t yet! Visiting Epsom tomorrow and going to try the train to Whitgift. the others are still on the list too. I think we’ve sat too many and my son has done too well! How are you doing?

Daughter likes St Johns - perhaps choosing happiness slightly over academic results. Train link is good to Whitgift but sadly the reliability less so. Tough on the pitch dark mornings and evenings. Full day at school followed by extra curricular/sport and then making way to South Croydon for 2/3 trains can be tough. Best to get the bus during winter months but journey can be long and sometimes sports fixtures run past final bus departure.

Yikes! That’s what worries me about Whitgift. We don’t actually have a bus option near us

Waterloo - how did you get on at Epsom ? Is your son very sporty ?

Hi yes he is! It’s a great school but didn’t get the gut feeling we were looking for. Think Whitgift might be better for him - just still worrying about the journey and if he won’t ever have play dates because his friends will be miles away! Looking into St. John’s again as keeping hearing good things about it!

where are you travelling from ?

Richmond

I have taught at Epsom and thought thaught that it was a great school.

It’s a boarding school, and that is its culture even though there are significant numbers of Day students and weekly boarders. That means activities running into the evenings, Saturday morning school and matches to far flung places.

If I were a parent with this choice, I would want my DC to fully board by sixth form.

The other consideration is the number of Chinese, Russian and other overseas students and how the school integrates them.

Epsom has large numbers of overseas students (I am perhaps biased in my observations because I was working in Science). Together with plenty of day students, I think they do a good job in allocating houses, pastoral care and activities, so that everyone is integrated into the full life of the college.

Waterloo - we live in East Sheen so Richmond is possible, especially with the fast train to Clapham. School bus from Putney near station but early at 7:03.
Definitely hard in years 6,7,8 when boys are young. Occasional pick up required + events is difficult. Round trip in the car can be 2.5 hours ! I think its a challenge to make the most of the school when this far away but things may get easier as they progress through the school.

Hi all, can I just ask please which decisions you made, and why?

How happy are your kids after 6months (roughly) at the new schools? Any tipps?

Thank you

We chose Whitgift for our son. We really felt that the Whitgift senior boys were more grounded and friendlier. Of course this is subjective but we asked ourselves what sort of young man did we want our son to become. The Whitgift boys embodied our view as courteous, confident, polite and good fun to be around. We didn’t feel the same about Epsom...I’m sure others would disagree but that was firmly our view.

Just seen this thread hope your son is enjoying Whitgift. I have a son in the 6th form he has very much enjoyed his time there. Having had a son at Dulwich and a daughter at JAGS we can safely say in our experience Whitgift is the best

Hi lovelies we are agonising over Whitgift v Epsom. Main requirement is a confident happy boy who feels is can contribute and try new things he. Slightly concerned about the country club feel that I get at Epsom. Is this ridiculous? Any views and suggestions appreciated.

Does anyone know if the Epsom school bus runs on Saturdays too? Or is it only Monday to Friday?

@79abbot yes it does run on Saturdays but I think it is used mostly by students from y9 upwards on Saturdays.