CE Tonbridge vs King Canterbury

[Teapot74]

DS is Y8. Has been down for Tonbridge. Passed the pre test and everything is on track. However, we have also been told that they are oversubscribed this year esp. for boarding (which we are doing) and that not every boy will get in. We have been told that DS "should" be alright, but we do not have a plan B and who knows what the competition ail be on the day! Now all the other schools are full. We have had some dialogue with Kings Canterbury. They are full but have told us to keep in contact with them to see if anything can be done. The problem is I am starting to prefer the look of Kings, even though we haven't been round it (they've told us not to come unless they feel they might be able to offer him a place.). Does anyone have a view on the two schools? Is Tonbridge a better name? I keep getting told that there can be a lot of movement at the end after CE am desperate for him not to end up at a second rate school. Don't know if I'm panicking over nothing...

It would be unusual for there to be a problem this late in year 8, especially as hes passed the pre test. In your position I'd make an appointment with your headmaster to discuss this as they are better placed to know your ds. Theres no point running round trying to find a back up now but do keep discussions with the other school open.

Kings Canterbury and Tonbridge are both first class schools - equally "good names", if that is what you are after. Parents of boys will often have both on their shortlist. But they are very different schools. Tonbridge is all boys and predominantly weekly boarding while Kings is mixed and predominantly full boarding. Both have significant numbers of day students. Tonbridge has a reputation for being very sporty - but there are similar opportunities at Kings. I think Tonbridge probably wins more fixtures - but they have twice the number of boys to choose from. Kings has a very strong musical tradition, but Tonbridge also offers opportunities for musicians. My advice would be to think about what would best suit your son. That will be the "best school" for him. All these schools are "full" on paper at this stage, but there are always families who drop out for some reason or another at the last minute, even after having paid deposits etc. Good luck!

What marks is your DS getting - I gather that Tonbridge have upped the CE mark to 70% due to over offering . I would rely on your HM's relationship with Tonbridge . Now that the deadline has passed - have some DS's withdrawn . How much is it oversubscribed ? Tough position if you are a worrier like me - you don't want to put too much pressure on DS either . Good luck !

Thanks. Have spoken to Tonbridge head and prep head. T head said that this years pass mark would be 65%, I asked could it be 70% he said no, I didn't understand that, how does he know how the boys will do on the day? He's strong in maths, getting 90% + on level 3 papers but couldn't write a story if his life depended on it (so that mark is levelled out!). I would expect him to come out with an average of at least 70% but that wouldn't be a breeze. I can't see Kings properly as they won't even let us look around at this stage!
Feel very disillusioned with Tonbridge, I had been led to believe that this process was more managed. We have been to countless events, been allocated a boarding house, and he's going for a novi sleepover in a few weeks. Don't think this pressure now is fair on him or us!

Challengers, where did you get the figure of 70% from?

Kings is 60% at CE at moment.

Both schools very similar apart from co-ed bit, and Tonbridge has marginally better reputation for SEN (neither shine particularly brightly in that area IMO). I think Kings has fallen down a bit in terms of Rugby in the last couple of years, but is ahead in (boys) hockey. The relatively new head is IMO slightly bonkers but is very involved with the school and teaches all the shells in one lesson or another. I know the housemasters of three of the houses at King's and can vouch that they are very pastoral. I'm not sure i agree that kings is mostly full boarding - I think its more like 50-50. Over 1/3 of school are from local area (feeding in from Wellesley and JKS) so nearly all of these will be weekly/day.

If Tonbridge doesn't work out then Kings would be fine. As for better? Well depends on yardstick. You will be more blown away by the architecture I think - the whole school is within the World Heritage Site (one of the main dining rooms is where the four and twenty blackbirds came out of the pie). The boarding accommodation is same quality I think as Tonbridge (although I've only visited one Tonbridge house). But Tonbridge is more 'contained' whereas the kings kids are forever back and forth because sports facilities are 2/3 mile away, and library is a few hundred yards away from main part to school (but close to some of the houses). I don't think you could call which one is 'better'. Both are great. The advantage you have with Tonbridge is knowing the house, at Kings if you do get in you will probably not get a choice now.

As for looking round the school, there is an open morning on 15th. They always ask people to register, but I've never once been to an open day and been asked to prove who I am, so why not turn up anyway?

Kings may be more accommodating if you tell them that it is becoming your first choice and not your back-up plan. If you call them, ask to speak to Bev. She's the assistant to Mr Reilly, and very nice.

If you need a back up plan and want to stick to the area, Kings Rochester might be worth a look too?

Sorry, that should read 'I think kings is at 60% CE'. It's what I've heard, not gospel.

Only thing I know about Kings is it's about 3 zillion pounds a term. I don't know if that is kind of on a par with the other one, but if not, it might put you off I suppose.

I wouldn't pay that for my child to go to Kings. A lot of my friend went there, when I was growing up and it was a very false, very odd place, the children were under huge pressure, I'm not sure what the appeal is in general.

It kind of freaked me out a bit.

Thanks for inf. Think we should plough on with Tonbridge with fingers tightly crossed. It is much closer and I like the idea of having a cup of coffee mid week on occasion. (I can dream can't I?)

Teapot , obviously mis informed - my friends DS is going there and she told me it has been raised this year to 70% I'm glad it's 65 . If your son is getting such high marks in Maths any school would gladly have home as a pupil ! I wouldn't worry ....good luck

Bugger. Now a win win sit!??! But what to do. He's scored 70% in mocks so think that's looking OK for T'bridge. However, promised him we would follow up with Kings after, who now think they might have a place for him. He wants to visit and I'm 50:50 so will, but will have to ditch T'bridge if we decide to go for it.