St.pauls/Westminster/KCS

[Moggy72]

DS got offers from all three for 13+ entry. Now need to decide. Anyone with experience of these schools? DS is relatively confident child. He enjoys sport as a means to run around and let of steam, but not sporty in a competitive sense. We live centrally, so KCS a bit far .... But would consider moving closer if we picked KCS.

Not a qualifying answer as no direct experience, but they are all great schools. How brilliant to have the choice.

I found St Paul's and Westminster to have very different atmosphere's, feel and attitude and would have thought appealed to boys in quite different ways. Is your 12/13 year old really "indifferent" between these two schools? I'd be surprised if so. Perhaps worth going round each of them again to help make his mind up as much as yours. I'd expect Westminster and it's full "Hogwarts" glory to contrast starkly with the "country grammar school" feel of St Pauls. Can the same boy be indifferent between these environments? Obviously I am massively over-simplifying the comparison, but they aren't very similar.

Thanks married. You are right St. Paul's and Westminster are very different. We need to revisit them all. I'm quite interested in the pastoral side of the schools.DS was attracted to the large playing fields at St. Paul's ...top notch facilities... And his friends going to SP. I'm happy for him to have the choice but want to make it an informed one.

Yes I agree, St Paul's and Westminster are pretty different in terms of setting, architecture, atmosphere, most things really, though obviously both are top-notch academically. Haven't been to KCS for years so can't comment on that one.

What would the commute be like for St Paul's vs Westminster? Has he been round both himself - how did he feel about the setting and general feel? Has your school offered any advice on what they think would be the best fit?

DS had to choose between SP and KCS for 2015. We revisited both, and they were very happy to arrange additional walk rounds with boys who were ex pupils of his current school. We have only just had to make a decision, when the deadline for the KCS deposit arrived in March.

He/We've gone for SP - just felt right for our boy.

KCS tends to be overlooked - perhaps because it offered only IB for several years and although it got world-class results it often wasn't included in league tables.

They're all excellent, high performing academic schools. You'll have to choose on which you think will suit your boy best in terms of ethos. Plus amount of space, facilities, co-curricular activities etc.

I don't know StPs at all, but would choose KCS over Westminster by a mile.

My son is about to leave SPS after 5 very happy years, he had a place at Westminster too but chose SPS as his friends were going there and he didn't fancy school on a Saturday. He is not very competitively sporty but has enjoyed trying out things and seems to play football for hours. The tutor system is only really as good as the individual tutor and it doesn't seem to be monitored by the school. It is very, very relaxed and sometimes I struggle to believe the stories about a pressured atmosphere etc, I think it suits self starters and the very well motivated. I know a few 18 year olds at Westminster too and they have chosen to board even though they live in London to make the most of all the opportunities which must make it very expensive.They have been happy too and it seems to work well having girls in the 6th form too. SPS as I sure you are aware has a huge rebuilding development taking place over the next few years so that may be disruptive, but up to now they seem to have managed it very well. Not sure if any of that is helpful, do PM me if you want more info.

thanks all for your responses. Interesting, meditrina what you say about KCS being overlooked ..i have that feeling too. FIFIBEBE very helpful and good to know that your DS really liked it. The length of commute to SPS and Westminster would be pretty even really. I don't lie the idea of saturday school at westminster. I had the impression that SPS was a pressure cooker ...but good to know that has not been your experience. when we went for a show round the boy who took us at SPS said that get 16 pieces of homework a week ????

DS loved Westminster and its full "Hogwarts" glory. Despite the playing fields, SPS did not appeal.

As he has got older he has enjoyed the boarding school approach, and been happy to spend a lot of time at school, both in the evenings, and on Saturdays. The house structure allows for a good continuity of pastoral care, and means you have a clear first point of contact, as well as allowing lots of participation/responsibility, eg in house sport and house music, even if you are not super talented. Girls make a very positive contribution to the sixth form. And..the food is very good!

I agree with earlier posters. Look round again and let your son decide. They are very different schools, but really the best option is the one he feels most comfortable with.

I know quite a bit about SPS and W, nothing about KCS. Agree with everyone, it's a fabulous choice and let your son make it. The 2 schools I know are as "pressured" as each other, a bright boy (which your ds must be) shouldn't feel unnecessarily stressed at either. Well done your ds