Kingston Grammar School experience

[user1481106846]

Hi, does anybody have an experience at the Sixth Form in Kingston Grammar School? The usual concerns are: how do they integrate the new arrivals to the existing groups? How is the social environment like (my dd is currently in a small independent where the girls are rich but not too showy)? Also, how approachable the teachers are, do the give frequent progress reports to the parents? Is there an intellectually exciting environment? Is the walk from the station to the school safe? Are the trains reliable enough? Helen G

Hi, I'd appreciate to hear about your experience at Kingston Grammar School (Sixth Form) in both, social and academic, aspects. Thank You. Helen

Hello, i went to KGS but left before sixth form to go to Esher College. School can be a bit poncy BUT the majority of students are on bursary or sports scholarships, no where near as showy as the kids at Epsom College or surrounding private schools. Kingston as an area has completely slipped recently and there is a constant crowd of drunk people who frequent the 'playing field' at the back of the school which is owned by the council and not the school directly.

errrrr 10% of the students receive a discount on fees through scholarships and/or bursaries (academic, sport, drama, art)

many sixth form and yr7 scholarships are actually honorary with no financial reward.

the walk to the station is perfectly safe. trains are reliable to kingston - the odd bad day (a couple a year) but hasn't been an issue as everyone uses the trains so everyone has the same issue including the teachers!

the parents are perfectly normal, down to earth, 2 working parents is more usual than SAHM. majority of yr7s came from state schools.

can't comment on sixth form social life etc as i have dcs in younger years.

i've never seen or heard of any issues or unsavoury characters at the field at the back.

it's an incredible school with great teachers and a down to earth tone. pm me if you have any specific qu's.

No DCs there but I used to live in Kingston and still have NCT friends there very close to The Fairfield, it is a public park and it has always been a problem, back in the kaleidoscope days it was covered in needles and avoided by all parents. It is probably popular with drinkers now because most of Kingston has been made an alcohol exclusion zone and its the only place to go. It is still out of bounds to my NCT friend's local children because of unsociable behaviour and they were shocked that DS had been there to kick a ball around once. But it is at the back of the school the walk to the station and buses is extremely safe on very busy roads. The trains are as reliable as the rest of the SWT network.

THANK YOU CAKEISALWAYSTHEANSWER

user1480000680 why did you leave KGS to go to Esher College for 6th form?

nocampinghere - At 16 the School can feel quite claustrophobic, I'm sure you're aware it isn't the biggest space (3 school buildings and 2 'play' areas) and even though there were only max 100 people per year when i was there, it did feel very squashed the bigger you got. Also there were no options for textiles, drama, design or even psychology at A Level when I left but i'm aware there is now. Also at Esher College you can wear your own clothes which was a big driving force for me at 16!

thanks. just nosey!