RGS (High Wycombe) v Dr Challoner's Grammar School

[Mumsmet]

Which is better? Please don't just put the name of the school- please say why you think it is better. Thanks.

A lot depends on where you live. Both have relatively small "catchment areas". I say it in inverted commas as there are the official catchments for both but in reality the distance from the school for places offered to non siblings is a lot smaller - particularly at Dr Challoners. So if you live on the catchment outskirts but want Challoners then your chances of getting in are slim.

I would say Challoners has the better reputation but why that is I have no idea! I have two girls so not something I have delved into further.

Many thanks.

Challoners is in a nicer area, i think.

It has a good reputation.

There is also beconsfield high if you are flexible on the area.

Beaconsfield High is a girls school.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

I would say go for the one which is your catchment school. Both are outstanding and there is little to split them. What we think is immaterial really. Where your DS would thrive is the main issue. So look at transport times, extra curricular, sport and music etc. What is there at each one that grabs your attention? You are unlikely to be disappointed with either as they are top schools. DH went to Challoners Grammar but I have worked with people who had DS who went to RGS and were very pleased with it. So make your own mind up because we are not you!

@BubblesBuddy Thanks for your reply.

Both have very good reputations, but it really does depend on where you live. I know less about RGS, but DCGS is very sought after (I assume they both are). We lived in Bucks until a couple of years ago, and were firmly in the official catchment area for DCGS. Every boy in our village who passed the 11+ and applied for a place got one, however in the next village along (another mile down the road, and still in official catchment) there was seemingly a "Budgen's divide" - if you lived our side of Budgens then you got in, but pupils the "wrong side" of Budgens mostly didn't. I gather that every year there are significantly more applications than available places.

To be honest, if you did not get DCGS and did get RGS, you would hardly be short changed and vice versa! In fact if you were offered Chesham Grammar or John Hampden Grammar it would not be the end of the world either! Many parents would die for these schools.