Dulwich or Whitgift?

[MaMerry]

After quite upbeat interviews at both Whitgift and Dulwich, and assuming that the state offer for DS is not up to scratch, we may need to make a choice between D & W. I'm struggling to split them, TBH. They both talk about academic success, pastoral care and co-curricular activity, are set in fantastic grounds and cost an arm and a leg. Can anyone help me split them?

DS is bright, interested in most things, an enthusiastic sportsman (but not going to end up playing for England in any of them) and says he doesn't mind which of the two he goes to.

[Robinia190]

Hi everyone - I have read the (now quite old) discussion about D vs W. The thing to remember is that W offers the International Bac and therefore A*/A tables are not going to reflect the achievements in the IB. The only useful measure to compare the two (and any other school) is the average points per pupil achieved at A level: in 2010, for which I have figures in front of me, W average: 1003.2, D:932. W has consistently outperformed D in recent years and scores the 2nd highest in UK for IB, after Sevenoaks.

[magyarmum]

Any advice if the choice is between Dulwich College and the London Oratory? Our son is sporty and would prefer the former; but we are financially challenged. Is it worth the sacrifice and stress to send him to Dulwich?

[Mumofthreelondon]

For you on this thread who chose Whitgift in the end pls share experiences! It's seems a fab school - My DS has been offered a scholarship for W and very excited but it's v far for us so I need to figure out logistics of getting him there.

[mydaddy]

Mumofthree, congratulations to your lad. My DS is now in LS doing his A levels after doing exceptionally well in his GCSEs. W is really a fantastic school and we haven't regretted for a moment sending him there. The expectations are very high and the boys are really pushed to the max. e.g many of the boys in my son's year group took their IGCSE maths a year early and unless they got an A* in it they were expected to re-take it the following year. Sport is encouraged and there are teams in most sports for most abilities. W has a strong tradition in producing first class sports men. How far from the school do you live?
Oh btw the current head is leaving at the end of this year after over 20 years in charge. Just hope the change doesn't mean a lowering of standards and if anything the school continues to thrive and improve.

[Mumofthreelondon]

We re 50 min drive and I think train will be same door to door. It's too far I think every day if he has late and early obligations. Impressed with what u say on academics - I really felt energised by the whitgift on my visits and DS loves it. What is LS by the way? So many boys do IB or why did your go for A levels ?
Thanks

[mydaddy]

A 50 minute drive does seem pretty far. If he's anything like my DS he will definitely have post school and even pre-school commitments. Rugby/football training, perhaps cadets. It can be a long day.
LS= lower six. It was very difficult to choose between IB and A levels and it was only at the last moment he plucked for As. The school definitely wants a lot more boys to do the IB.

[ArthurMullard]

Not Whitgift

medium.com/@JimmyTLeach/bullying-happens-when-the-school-is-the-enabler-cac27010c4f5

[CamperVamp]

Not sure if this is a zombie thread or just a long running thread, but I just read in the ES that a traditional rugby fixture between Whitgift and a neigbouring state school (John Fisher Catholic) has been cancelled because of trouble last year with the Whitgift boy shouting 'Chavs' at their opponents. The Head made some shallow non-apologetic statement saying something like sometimes rivalry overtakes the nature of the sport, making it all sound like a jolly extension of the game.

[Fionnbharr]

Your DS will acieve his potential in both schools. In your place I would look at the practicalities around the commute. One must be easier than the other.