Wallington Grammar

[sangsri1234]

My twins have secured places in WCGS. Greatly appreciate advice on pastoral care and opportunities for all round development at the school. DSs currently in independent school. Terribly confused about continuing or taking up the places at WCGS. Would love to hear from mums with DSs at WCGS. Many thanks

Firstly huge congratulations in securing places for two boys at WCGS. That is some achievement! My DS started at WCGS in September and we are all really happy. We also had the agonising decision whether to take up the place or an independent with scholarship.
I have found the pastoral care brilliant. In the first term I had to make contact many times with teachers and head of year. Every time I had very quick responses and matters dealt with very thoroughly. The school is a happy friendly school. My DS seems to know everyone and has many friends throughout different houses and classes. Their induction process is fantastic and my DS started his first day already having made lots of friends.
My DS is sporty and is very involved in the sport. They love their rugby at WCGS! There are lots of other things other than sport to get involved in.
Academically my DS is thriving. Heavy workload ( we've come from state primary) your boys will prob be used to lots of work!
Obviously if comparing against independent it can't match the facilities ( we were tossing between WCGS and Whitgift!) but we have definitely made the right decision. We very very nearly chose the other way!
Good luck with your decision. Feel free to message me with other questions. I know people with older boys in the school and they have loved it throughout.

Hi pooziepuzzle. Thank you so much for your advice. It has been invaluable and very encouraging. How long is the journey for your DS ?

It takes my DS about 50 mins to an hour to travel. I was very worried about this but he has adjusted so well , finding different routes via train , tram or bus. There are many boys who travel from the same area and WCGS are very good at putting boys from certain postcodes in the same house or tutor groups. The first autumn/ winter term was tough as it was dark leaving home and returning. My DS stays late for sport and is sometimes not home until 5.30/6pm. But we feel the journey is worth it.

Thank you soooooooo much for all your inputs. It has been immensely useful. My boys too would potentially need to make a 50 min journey. It is reassuring to know there are many others doing that from WCGS.

My DS also started at WCGS in September. We also chose this option over a very good offer from an independent school. (I have an older DS at indie so really couldn't stretch to another set of fees!) We also have the benefit of living within walking distance of WCGS.

We have been happy with the school so far. It's quite a small school which really suited my DS coming from a very small primary school. The house system is fantastic. It really brings together boys from all the year groups & there is such healthy competition from all the various house events that take place throughout the year. I think that it enables all boys to get involved even if they are not A team material.

The discipline is also very good & some of the class sizes are small for a state school. Yes, as Poozie said the facilities are not amazing but this really doesn't seem to bother my DS at all. It's really lovely having the park right next door & this is also used for sports as well as their field.

The praise system is also very good.

I also want to add that people seem to have a view that super-selective grammar schools are pressurised hot houses. This has not been our experience in this school so far. My DS certainly does not get as much homework as his older brother who is at an indie. So I think he has a bit more of a work/life balance at this stage. May well change as he goes up the school!

Poozie - am so glad that you feel that you made the right decision. I remember your agonising this time last year!

Hi bananadrama, yes It was so agonizing last year making the decision. I'm sure my DS would have loved it at Whitgift, he wanted to go since year 3! But he has told me many times he's glad he's at Wallington and we can sleep easier not having to pay school fees!

Thanks poozie, bananadrama for your inputs. It has been very helpful. One of the twins is very keen to join WCGS. The other doesn't want a change :(. But I feel this is the practical thing to do.As poozie says it's easier to sleep with not having to pay steep fees.

Hi,

I was hoping to give life to this thread again as likely to be in the same position on D day- well maybe and having to choose between WCGS and Trinity/Whitgift.

any further feedback a few months on please ?
the sports hall at WCGS seemed quite nice and modern to me when I visited it. not sure about the rest of the facilities... it was quite dark. I think they have plans for a new DT/Science building.

thanks

When is secondary offers day this year?

Hi pooziepuzzle, it is reassuring to hear that your DS has settled in well with the travelling to and fro school. could you please tell how many miles the distance is between home and school as I am worried I live too far away though it should tale about an hour on train and bus to get to WCGS from home.

WCGS, waiting list 20181

Hi, I received an email from WCGS today regarding my DS position in waiting list. He is 9th in waiting list. I would really appreciate if anyone can give me some information regarding waiting list. If they move or if they do then what is the chance that my DS will be offered a place. I don't know if I should be excited but I wa when I found out he wa 9th,It give me some hope. Please any information will be greatly appreciated.

Hi,
My ds also has been given. Waiting list number as 23.. haven't received any information after that. Can you please let me know if you have received any waiting list offers till now?