11+ Sept 2017 SW London/Surrey Independent Boys/Mixed School applications...

[DOTLEYtheONEeyedDINO]

There's a girls thread. There's not one for boys. Or mixed. At least I haven't found one.

Anyone else going through this?

DS is in Year 6. Can't decide what to do. Currently applied for Hampton and KGS. Not sure if he'll make the grade and a 3rd school choice. Anyone else? Any suggestions? Also have a DD in Y4, hence considering mixed.

I know this has been quiet (probably an inevitable pause between deadline for entries and time of exam), but thought I'd link this thread, in case it interests posters here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/2777124-Dulwich-College-11-2017-Entry?msgid=65170879#65170879

Did anyone do Hamptons this year? There were loads at the exams and scholarships this weeks with call backs in the following weeks.

Seeking advice please re independent boys or co-ed schools in Surrey. Currently living overseas with a view to moving to Cranleigh area in next few years for son to enter at 13 or possibly 16. He's 9 now. Have looked at websites, Good Schools Guide, school prospectus etc but would really welcome some first-hand "real" advice from parents with children at these schools or living in this area. Not from this part of the UK myself so no insider knowledge at all. From my research I am considering the following schools:
Cranleigh
Caterham
St John's Leatherhead
RGS Guildford
Epsom College
Christ's Hospital

As background info:
want day school or mixed with even balance of day/boarders or day majority
son is sensitive, only child, very high EQ
not very sporty but mad about cricket
very musical and quite enjoying drama recently
bright (but not off the scale academic genius)
logical, scientific, enquiring mind
Looking for somewhere where teachers will see his potential and bring out the best in him (isn't that what we all want?!)

TIA for any advice you can offer. Really appreciate it.

I've known good cricketers and musicians to go to Cranleigh but isn't it predominantly boarding, likewise Christ's Hospital. What about Whitgift or Trinity if you are flexible on location, Ardingly or Charterhouse.

Thanks LIZS for your quick reply. Yes I think you're right about CH being mostly boarding but I think more day pupils at Cranleigh. Are Trinity and Whitgift within day commute from Cranleigh? Ardingly I didn't think was academic enough for DS. Charterhouse mostly boarding I understood.

No they're in Croydon but you did suggest Caterham , Epsom and St Johns which are also too far to realistically commute each day.

Hmm, think I'd better check a map! Thanks for your feedback.

I have a child at St John's in Leatherhead. Can't fault the school at all.
Epsom College has Saturday school, lessons in the morning and sport in the afternoon.

Thank you dotdash for your comments. Useful info. Do you know what the "word on the street" is about any of these schools and their general reputation? eg I've heard that St J's is fantastic for its pastoral care, CH quite unique, lots of bursaries etc, Cranleigh sports focus etc. Don't know what the other schools are renowned for...

Lindsay71 I have heard St Johns is good for pastoral care too-it seems like it is the 'in' school to go to at the moment. RGS in Guildford is really academic but a very good school for boys. I can't really comment on the other schools as I haven't visited them.

Thank you Sazzy5. My head is slightly spinning with all the decisions. I am very anti-boarding but it seems like the day schools for boys in that area are nothing that special. I keep hoping I'm going to find a hidden gem of an amazing day school in Surrey that will suddenly appear on the radar! Not sure DS would actually get into RGS Guildford but I don't think St John's seems to be academic enough! Aaahhhh! Hopefully going to set up some schools visits in April when we're back in UK and that might clear my head!

St John's is probably more academic than Christ's Hospital.

Thx LIZS. I think I've discounted CH now as seems mostly boarding. I'm basically looking for good day school, prob co-ed, that gets good results and realises the child's full potential. A school with a typically English historical tradition, lots of music, high calibre of staff, caring, academic (but not RGS standard as I think DS might struggle even if he were to get in). My head is spinning. If we move back to UK we would be on the doorstep of Cranleigh. What, if any, are the negatives of Cranleigh? Do you know? Maybe the answer to my problems is literally sitting on my doorstep. For some reason I don't feel I'm hearing many positive things about Cranleigh. Is it a bit 2nd rate? Sorry for all the questions!

I've known some very academic kids board at Cranleigh who have been followed by siblings, academic, musical , sporty. A more local friend was a bit dubious about drugs and drinking but you will find similar stories about most boarding schools.

RGS is fantastic school - academic but the boys don't seem to notice it as they are all in it together. Sport is good but not top of their list. Music seems to be excellent. I've had a friend whose two sons went to Cranleigh and they didn't rate it at all. Incredibly expensive with emphasis on sport! Reeds is really popular now, but harder to get into than before. St. John's - academically not as good and expensive. Good luck. Top marks go to RGS!

We chose Hampton over RGS for DS. (Last year)
Although DS is v academic, we felt that Hampton offered more extra curricular activities. It just had a better feel about it. Hampton has fantastic sports facilities (on site) a great theatre and lots of space.
Although RGS is a few places higher on the league tables, A bright child will do well at either school.

Whitgift and Trinity thread for 2017 is here:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/education/2810767-ALL-NEW-WHITGIFT-TRIN

I know of a number of parents who are sending their kids to Cranleigh and a few teachers that have taught there. The school has great facilities and results are very good (much better than they used to be). The parents seem happy. The teachers less so - one said they got no support, the staff room was unfriendly and it was awful (trainee teacher) another said many of the children were arrogant and self-entitled.

RGS is a great school, the boys are so polite and well mannered! but super academic and I would not want a child to only just get in ifykwim.

St John's is definitely academic too just not quite as academic as RGS. I've heard good things about the school recently except some unhappy girls who have left for sixth form but then I suspect that's because it was still low on numbers of girls (used to be boys only) not sure what the split is now.

Someone mentioned king Edwards, Witley to me recently but I know nothing about it.

Following this thread as we are in the middle of decision making about this for next year.

St John's is accessible from Cranleigh via the bus routes and the village stations (e.g. West Clandon). It's a bit of a hike, but lots do it.

KEW I'm really interested in hearing more about. Previously it wasn't academic at all but I've heard this is changing. No evidence of this though.