KCS Wimbledon or RGS? Can't decide!

[splatsplat101]

DS has been lucky enough to be offered places at both these schools, both on scholarships - we're really proud of him, but now need to decide which school to go with. Would be interested in others' experiences of these schools - DS is fairly sporty and outgoing, but by no means an "alpha male"....he has a wide range of interests and I would describe him as someone who likes to be fully involved in extra curricular activities. He is also the sort of boy who would value a school with a strong sense of community and spirit. The journey to both schools is equidistant........he has no preference, and to be honest, when I looked round I liked both schools too!

You can go back and revisit the schools if that will help.

Consider alternative transport routes if they are both equidistant: if there's a tube strike, what's the alternative for example? Assuming your DS travels independently, what's it like travelling later in evenings/at weekends for sporting fixtures etc?

I would go for KCS though. Sound's a bit sweeping but it's the best school I've ever seen. Congratulations to your DS on winning a place there.

Another vote for KCS

KCS every time.

I don't know KCS but have 2 boys at RGS. If you want a strong community spirit and lots of extra-curricular you will find it there. It is a fantastic school and my sons are thriving there.

Vote for KCS from me. Fantastic school for the right child - and they are great at spotting the boys who will do well. The school has repeatedly surpassed my expectations for both my DS.

I don't know about RGS but I know a boy who goes to KCS and he is thriving there and he really loves his school.

I don't know RGS at all but DS is at KCS and I doubt they are very diferent, the local prep rates them equally and says go with the easiest journey. KCS run a lot of buses so it is usually them.

The advantage RGS may have is that assuming your DS is going in at 11+ he is starting at the same time as most of the other boys, whereas at KCS he will be one of a small number joining the junior school at 11, and then moving to the senior school at 13. Does he have to pass CE/Transition at both schools or only KCS?
It may seem a long way away but you should also check the A level choices. KCS is still half IB so has a more limited choice of A levels. E.G. you can only study Mandarin to GCSE there is no A level option.

Which is nearer?

DS was at RGS and it was fantastic. It provided an amazing education for all types of boys and the boys leave very rounded, ambitious but without that over-arrogance you see from public schools.
I have always thought highly of KCS though and been 'wowed' by it. I always thought RGS was fairly incredible in what it offered - a down-to-earth but enriching education which really thinks about how to cater for boys - but then KCS seems to have perfected this too and has a certain extra spark.
Girls in sixth form is another thing to think about - a big bonus in terms of transition to uni but then again RGS is closely linked to GHS and my DS seemed to socialise with them frequently in sixth form. A long way ahead though!

Reigate grammar or royal grammar? I definitely think kas has an extra spark too, not all boys are alpha males so don't worry!

Thanks for all the great input! It certainly sounds like we can't go wrong - been looking into the transportation options and KCS looks like it has the edge......and after talking it through again with DS and DH it certainly looks like we are leaning that way too!!