Travelling from Orpington to Wilson school by coach

[Shaheensayed1]

Hello all, I'm in middle of filling my CAF and wonder if anyone travels from orpington to Wilson grammar? How long does it take? I'm not keen on sending my DS by train but rather a coach. Please advise. S

What's wrong with the grammar schools closer to home?

Surely it will be a bit of a hike to get to Wilson's from Orpington?

That's one hell of a journey. I live round the corner from Wilson's and wouldn't like to travel to Orpington every day

There are loads of other great schools including grammars closer to Orpington or with an easier journey so I doubt there will be swathes of people planning that journey. The traffic will be horrendous at that time of day too. I know of students from Orpington who go to the independents like Trinity but that is Croydon and Wilson’s is that bit further on and more complicated on public transport. I presume if you are in Orpington your DS also sat Bexley, St O’s and Kent? Some of the Kent grammars are far easier to get to than Wilsons, Dartford has a coach service from Orpington and the ones in Tonbridge you can get to quite easily and speedily by train. What was it about Wilsons that makes the journey worth it compared to other options? When DD has this dilemna a few years ago she went for the closest and she can walk to school in half an hour or get the bus, the other grammar options were all max 50 mins and we didn’t even bother entering for tests that were nightmre journeys as we had no plans to move.

I know that Wilson's seems to streaming ahead of most of the other local(ish) grammars in the league tables. However, if your DS is very bright AND motivated he will do really well whichever grammar school he goes to. There isn't really that much difference in their results to warrant subjecting an eleven year old to such an arduous journey.

We live an averaged 30 min direct public transport journey away from DC1's grammar and that's enough - particularly in the winter months when it will be dark before children get home. If there's a bus/train breakdown/accident/cancellation (not very frequent but usually once/twice a term incidents) it's still too far to walk, so the likelihood of lateness is very likely!!

Thank you ladies. Wilson will now be at the bottom although it was at the top on my CAF. Thanks A lot! S

Shaheensayed1 he could always consider Wilson's for sixth form if he's really keen?

Totally agree with TiggyTape - we are a car-free family and it can even be a bit of a PITA for us going to school parents' evenings etc... and we're on a very direct, convenient route!

Tiggytape, a fantastic insight. Just never thought about other elements. Thank you so much xx

That is a dreadful, dreadful journey.
How did you get there when you visited?

"However, if your DS is very bright AND motivated he will do really well whichever grammar school he goes to. " and in fact, will do well at reasonable Comp. Travelling takes it out of them, and eats into the evenings when they have homework etc.

Hopefully you have good options nearby.

Good luck!

Have your son passed the ST olaves stage 1? There is not much difference in results between Wilsons and stolaves. Stolaves GCSE results were higher than Wilsons this year. If you are looking for league table rank, st olaves will be top of Wilsons this year.
Your other good options will be Beth grammar and Dartford grammar.
As others said, bright child will do better at any school.
Good Luck