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JAGS or Bromley High

14 replies

Maiya99 · 23/01/2023 17:30

My daughter has offers from both JAGs and Bromley High and I wondered if anyone has a view on both schools ? I know JAGs is way higher on the league tables but would involve a house move to Dulwich, whereas we live right round the corner from Bromley High. Would anyone pick Bromley high over JAGS in any scenario?

Thanks

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Carala2017 · 23/01/2023 18:50

How old is your daughter?

Maiya99 · 24/01/2023 03:14

She will be joining Reception this sept

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ChnandlerBong · 24/01/2023 09:39

Which one did you prefer when looking round?

If you had no strong preference then moving house would be a massive NO for me - unless you were always planning to upsize/downsize about now? It's such an upheaval and so expensive?

They are both great schools. Girls thrive in both of them. And she can always move at 11 when school bus/public transport will be an option?

Carala2017 · 24/01/2023 10:57

My daughter also had reception offer for JAGS years ago. We didnt go for it because in that time the addmission team told us all current JAGS students needs to do 7+ also 11+ assesment to move next stage. I believe majority of JAGS students do good in these assesments but I felt “what if…” Also sounded so stressful to me for 4 years old. Meanwhile I am not sure if it is still the same.

Mapipp · 24/01/2023 14:41

I have the exact scenario....our daughter has been accepted to both for September intake... we recently moved to Bromley so Bromley high makes more sense logistically and the facilities are much better. JAGS is definitely currently better academically and a lovely school but the journey is intense. Our daughter is currently at a dulwich school close to JAGS and the commute can be a pain so doing that for several years ahead is discouraging us. Both great schools though so a nice problem for us to have I guess...

Maiya99 · 24/01/2023 18:48

Congratulations on making it to both schools too. My view having visited both schools is that while the facilities are great at Bromley high it doesn't rank as highly on STEM subjects..it's too soon to tell at age 4 where her inclination might lie but I don't want to have her miss opportunities to pursue STEM should she want to. My concern with Bromley high is mainly that they don't prep you for the grammer or more selective schools at 11+. A real dilemma for me too whether to move from Bromley all the way to Dulwich - current plan is to make the move even though it will be a pain because I then hopefully won't have to worry about schools for the senior school etc.

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Mapipp · 24/01/2023 22:14

Congrats to you too! The same issue applies to JAGS as it is straight through so I imagine students at both schools get tutored separately for 11+. Did you apply to Breaside too?

Maiya99 · 25/01/2023 02:06

We didn't apply to Breaside largely because the facilities didn't match those at Bromley high. Did you apply to Breaside ?

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Ericaequites · 25/01/2023 04:39

A short commute and local friends at Reception outweigh league tables at 16. Moving house is an expensive misery generally. Wait and see what you want at the end of Y4.

Mapipp · 25/01/2023 07:46

Yes I agree, the facilities are no way as great as Bromley High but Breaside seems stronger academically and potentially better prospects for 11+. We are waiting for our assessment day but l this month and it's also dependent on if they even have a space available.

clutterbegone · 25/01/2023 22:28

I second everything in ChnandlerBong’s post. The Reception intake at JAGS is only the first and the girls joining at 11 come from a range of school backgrounds (and across a wide area of London). I’d personally be reluctant to put myself through a house move now unless the move would also be a better fit for my family more generally (if anything, we’ve seen friends move the other way as they can get more house for their money in Bromley). Both are great schools and good luck with your decision!

DaddyPhD · 25/01/2023 22:41

My concern with Bromley high is mainly that they don't prep you for the grammer or more selective schools at 11+. A real dilemma for me too whether to move from Bromley all the way to Dulwich

If your long game is a good girls grammar at 11+ or even to have the option, I'd choose Bromley, not bother moving either. You wont feel crippled with guilt leaving Bromley for a grammar, a good few girls will at 11+, but once in Jags, it will be hard to leave given its prestige and name, less girls would move for a grammar school.

If you're happy and able to pay till 18 , go with Jags.

In an ideal world you'd be at a prep that prepares for grammar school.

There is no wrong choice with schools like these, but reading between the lines, I think your gut is telling you grammar is the sensible choice at 11+. If so, Jags or even Bromley isn't suitable.

If you do move for Jags and want to live within walking to the school, or very short car ride, then you get a lot less brick for your buck in Dulwich compared to Bromley, even in the million+ bracket Dulwich gets you pretty ordinary looking 3 bed terrace. 4 to 18 is a huge financial commitment, for both schools.

On the bright side, your DD has done amazingly well, I suspect she'll thrive at either or a good prep.

Would anyone pick Bromley high over JAGS in any scenario?

If I thought Bromley was the better school for my daughter and she'd be happier there, yes. Bottom line its gut feel, and as long as you've got both eyes open, you can't really make the wrong choice.

Dcdcs · 27/01/2023 20:26

Curious which school you chose in the end…😀

Maiya99 · 11/02/2023 10:45

We went with JAGS in the end. And for now have decided to make the commute to Dulwich and back everyday

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