Dr Challoners v watford grammar

[bakhdadc]

Hi all,
I have just registered myself and not where to start from. My son has got a place at watford grammar and Dr Challoner's for sixth form, we are so confused - dont know which one to go for. My son wants to go into either medicine or dentistry.

Well done to your DS. They are both very good schools. I'm probably a bit biased because I have three children at one of them, but from an objective point of view, there's not much between them. What about geographical factors; how long a journey would he be facing in each case?

Both are more than competent at producing medics and dentists. I would look at journey time, where he thinks he will fit in, extra curricular that may be of interest and, hugely important, do they help with work experience or do you have to find it all yourself? This is important for medicine. Can you look at their university destination lists? I am a but biased, DH and DM went to DCG. It used to be coed in Amersham when DM went.

At Watford Boys all boys have to do regular voluntary work in the sixth form. One of the options is volunteering at the local hospital.

@TheSecondOfHerName the volunteering aspect is impressive.

DCGS is now co-ed in the Sixth Form, OP, don't know if that is a factor for you (lower down the school it hasn't been co-ed since the early 1960s when DCHS opened).

It is still very strong in maths and science, however – part of the reason they started taking girls in the Sixth Form was to attract those wanting to do STEM subjects, which isn't a particular strength of Dr Challoner's High School.

Agree with pp that travel could well be a deciding factor.

@thing47 for that new update.