CLSG vs JAGS

[Issiwissiletsgetbusy]

Agonising over which to choose- post 11+
both great schools- DD lives CLSG but going by tube at that age( I work f/t) so can't take her- vs coach service to JAGS and also got academic scholarship to jags- not huge money wise- bug huge to her in terms of achievement- would be v grateful for any advise on what feels like impossible decision- no real right or wrong!

[eruditestickler]

It was a combination of both. She goes to school with me. And yes, I am at the school.

[meditrina]

Questions: why do you give a different description on this thread (compared to your other post) about how you came to join MN? Who is this friend? And is MN really a common topic amongst teenage girls? Or are you at the school in a different capacity?

[eruditestickler]

I go to JAGS and my friend told me there is a lot of talk about it on this website. If you have any questions then feel free to ask me!

[whatwouldyouchoose]

Very rude for those parents with DSs at DC and unlikely to be true bochead. So all JAGS graduates are confident, high achievers, all Alleyn's graduates are artistic and social and all DC graduates are misogynists?! I don't think so...

[mumbles1000]

What a ridiculous inflammatory comment. I know many, many men and boys who have been at DC and if anything they are less misogynistic and pompous than your average public school educated male. They are mostly down to earth and well adjusted with lovely manners. I've met some neurotic harridans who were at JAGS, but wouldn't dream of tarring all old girls with that brush

[AllMimsyWereTheBorogroves]

My son went to DC. It's early days yet as he barely out of his teens but so far he is quite definitely not misogynistic (not even slightly) and certainly not pompous, nor was this a characteristic I noticed in his peers. I don't know how long ago you went to JAGS but times change, you know, and the attitudes prevalent in the Dulwich schools are not set in stone.

[meditrina]

How long ago were you there?

Lots of schools produce strong women!

Alleyns is definitely artsier, but very socially sophisticated. And under the current head (arrived 3? years ago) it's much more 'sink or swim' school best suited for self starters.

[bochead]

I went to jags so keep an eye on where people end up. It churns out great critical thinkers who aren't scared to challenge boundaries in all walks of life. For some reason a higher proportion than the norm wind up working overseas at some point in their career. Very independent minded women are created by JAGS - not the sort that fall apart after a divorce or other set back in adult life.

On the other hand, Dulwich college introduces a slightly misogynistic, pompous mindset into it's boys. It's a character flaw I really don't like, so I'd never send a child of mine there, as there are other boys schools that produce fantastic men with respectful attitudes to women who also get great academic results. It's an ethos thing I think, and shouldn't be taken as a general rule for every single lad that goes there of course.

Alleyns turns out free thinkers, and generally nice people who possess the ability to fit into any social circle as adults. (A soft skill that makes you very employable!).

[Issiwissiletsgetbusy]

Good for you- yes- the decision making was most draining part??
Best of luck to your DD- was a really tough year for Allen's entry by sounds of things - she did amazingly- congrats to all......

[irisha]

We went with Alleyn's in the end. DD wanted co-ed and this preference prevailed. Funnily enough, it does feel good to have made a decision and we are not looking back. Which probably means it was the right decision! We'll see.

[Issiwissiletsgetbusy]

Which did u go with in the end Irisha?
I was absolutely gutted to turn City down but I would've have regretted my decision either way- and regret of turning down jags was worse! Your succinct and pertinent overview comments really helped! Many many thanks xxxx

[whatwouldyouchoose]

I agree with Panchali1 the year 8 girls at CLSG were delightful! Friendly, funny, bright I felt it was the right environment for my DD. There was a map showing where girls travel from and there were many travelling from SW and SE postcodes

[Issiwissiletsgetbusy]

Sadly we're away this week so couldn't make the CLSG offer holders day- but I did enquire re the bus and they mentioned it's more for North London- we'd have to ravel from SW11 to Sloane sq to get the bus?!
No doubt girls and results impressive at both schools- interested to know what you choose Panchali1.

[Panchali1]

Strangely, I have a dd facing exactly the same jags scholar v city ... Clgs does have bus services operated by private groups with many pickup points - for us the city bus departs 20 min later than the jags bus does. Also eventually the tube does become a conveniant option.. Clsg starts at 8:40 so there is scope for an activity in the am or more sleep time.. Clsg seems to produce an impressive number of doctors., mathematicians etc,,surpassinggs jags, spgs etc. ultimately, mine was totally enamoured by the buzz at the school (clsg).. It appears that 3 of us scholarship holders (out of 30) are having this dilemma.. My daughter felt the exam was a touch easy. However I must also say I was very impressed by the various activities jags girls are upto, and I liked the scholarship interview... Did you go to the cogs open day today... Very. Nice panel of girls

[bevelino]

Both schools do consistently well academically and your dd would thrive in either place. A big advantage of CLSG is its location and close connections with City firms, which is invaluable for work experience and graduate opportunities later on.

[laughaminute99]

Co-ed is the big draw at 6th form for the girls schools.

And the USP for CLSG is possibly the exact reason you may choose not to send your daughter there - it is a London school, rather than a local school. When all other things are equal, and CLSG is the academic equal of most schools in the country, some people will want to send their children to local schools, other will prefer a more metropolitan experience.

[OddSins]

Small point but City loses a lot of girls at 6th form to mixed sixth forms. This reduces their 6th form results but also raises the question Why do so many leave ?

[meditrina]

With the Dulwich Foundation schools (all of which are usually in the top 100, so you're looking as very small differences anyhow), it's noticeable that it's always all-girls in highest place, co-ed second and all-boys third.

So I have often wondered if their results are a reflection of gender, rather than big differences in the academic level.

JAGS do a fair amount with Dulwich College, so there is some exposure to boys. But if your DD wants things like CCF, then the fully co-ed school is the one to go for.

[irisha]

We are agonizing over JAGS vs Alleyn's, but I wouldn't agonize over JAGS vs CLSG (although it's very easy to say when you are not in those shoes!) if commute to JAGS was easier and you have an academic scholarship to JAGS (an honour and looks good on CV).

I simply do not see how CLSG is in any way better to justify the commute. Academically, CLSG and JAGS are identical (CLSG is #3 in Times league tables and JAGS #9), with some subjects JAGS outperforming City on GCSE a lot (e.g., History and Geography), similar in maths (82% A in City, 80% at JAGS), similar numbers to Oxbridge (12-15 depending on year), etc.

If anything, I'd probably say that JAGS is better because they achieve this with a slightly less selective intake - 800 applied to City this year vs ~480 to JAGS.

In terms of social mix/values they are similar - diverse, multicultural, etc. Don't know about City, but at JAGS 20% of kids are on bursaries.

JAGS has better grounds, fantastic language provision (Italian, Japanese, Russian taught) and a headmistress who is a know quantity whereas at City there is change which may well be fantastic but a bit of a risk (as with any change).

Plus JAGS has a bigger year group which at secondary is an advantage, in my view.

We, on the other hand, are agonizing over JAGS vs Alleyn's (academic scholarships at both) and, I think, it's a more difficult choice since JAGS and Alleyn's have a bigger gap academically AND you don't get as much diversity (both social spectrum and multicultural dimension) at Alleyn's, but we like the co-ed concept. Commute time, obviously, is not a factor since they are opposite each other.

[whatwouldyouchoose]

Good luck to you DD at JAGS

[horsemadmom]

CLSG girls go elsewhere for competitions because the pool was built pre-metric and isn't regulation length. They do have a nice towel dryer so no whiffy swimming bags. Wishing your DD much success at Jags!

[Issiwissiletsgetbusy]

Jags it is- thank you all so much

[Dustylaw]

If your daughter wants to play hockey then it is no contest. CLSG has amazing outdoor space for a school which is 5 minutes walk from the Bank of England but it's a postage stamp and especially so compared to what JAGS can offer - not a criticism of CLSG but just understandable fact.

[Issiwissiletsgetbusy]

Ugh- all v sensible issues raised- I honestly can't choose between the 2 schools- her main sport is swimming (and both have a pool )- also hockey- which is more Jags - CLSG seems more netball?
I prob slightly prefer CLSG but Hags is more convenient- hard call! Appreciate comments- thanks x