Commute to KCS Wimbledon

[Twickermom]

Hi All,

For all those who took the 11+, I hope you have got places at schools of your choice. For those of you waiting, I hope it works out.

DS has been offered a place (and a scholarship) at KCS Wimbledon. Now our issue is that we live in Twickenham and the commute isn’t the easiest (SW Trains and then the bus - about 40/45 minutes). We have offers from other schools (Hampton and KGS) with easier commutes (no scholarship) but DS likes KCS. There is a coach service in our area but it takes much longer and is quite expensive (almost out of question for us).

I’m wondering if 40 minutes is too long a commute for a 11 year old who has only ever walked to school? Can people share their experiences/concerns with long-ish commutes? Is 40/45 minutes each side too long?

Best Wishes,

That doesn't sound like a bad commute. Trains to/from Wimbledon are frequent and there is a direct bus from the station to the school. Lots of boys walk up/down to Wimbledon and it's quite sociable. Even later on buses and trains are frequent and the area is pretty safe.

That said if you're in Twickenham I'd be seriously tempted to go to Hampton. The scholarship is good but I'm guessing it's not huge (rarely more than 10% but I know you're not supposed to discuss). The easier commute may be worth it for you and your DS. Don't forget you may have early starts (sports sessions at 7.00am and maybe rowing at 6.30am in Putney - would you be happy to drive him?

I can't think of any boys from Twickenham at KCS - definitely Richmond though.

Congratulations - all great schools. There are a few boys from Richmond and Twickenham in the KCS lower school. Think some of them go to Raynes Park and take 200 bus to ridgeway.

Thanks so much Sandybayley,

We really hadn’t factored early starts, so thanks for bringing that up. I think we can cope with that (hopefully traffic won’t be too bad early AM)

(Also it seems that SW trains to Putney and bus 93 thereafter is the quicker route)

We’re somewhat torn between Hampton and KCS as DS is sporty. DS seems to have made his choice though

Thanks Keylimepie123, that helps. We're very much trying to find some local families (not much success yet )

Putney and then 93 would be a good journey. The 93 is more frequent than the 200 and is a double decker. The boys then walk over the Common from the village - lovely way to get to school!

Twickermom well done to your ds. KCS run school coaches from all over SW London. It may be worth calling Admissions and enquiring about the routes they have. Ds sat the 8+ and there is a coach from Richmond we would have used if we hadnt accepted another offer closer to home.

I would seriously be looking at Hampton. Bright boys from Twickenham/Richmond/Teddington go to Hampton. Not KCS. KCS will be full of boys from Wimbledon, Putney, Central London... for social reasons alone i wouldn't choose it over Hampton for a bright sporty boy.

If your ds WASN''T sporty i'd be more inclined to go for KCS, but sporty + bright + Twickenham = Hampton.

BTW Hampton's boat house is in Sunbury, not Putney.

I’m wondering if 40 minutes is too long a commute for a 11 year old. I think you'll find that one way or another most DC in London commute such a journey time-wise.

Teddy KCS Boathouse is in Putney.

Thanks Sandybaley, Roseredvelvet, ReelingLush18

TeddTess, you make an excellent point which we probably haven’t weighed sufficiently.

On another note, although Hampton is local to us (much closer in terms of distance), it would still take good part of 40 minutes to get to Hampton (R70 on busy roads plus walking both sides). It almost feels that Hampton is much closer psychologically than physically.

Also, beyond the (somewhat small) financial help and recognition, is a scholarship worth much? Is it something that helps DC in any manner in their student/academic life?

Thanks again all of you for all your thoughts and help

KCS is a simply outstanding school and your DS has done incredibly well to be offered a scholarship there. It sounds as though the commute will be manageable if he's invested in going there.
There are certainly going to be other boys from your area, although probably not as many as who live more locally. KCS has lots of very good opportunities for sporty lads, too.

If you do choose KCS then I would recommend getting off at Raynes Park station & getting the 200 (the stop is outside the station) to the Christchurch stop. From there it's a short walk to KCS.

My DD catches the 200 into Wimbledon every day. They are regular and never full as the route starts at the Lambton Road stand & the station is only 2 stops down. If he gets off at Christchurch he will avoid the double bottleneck of the mini roundabout on Ridgway and the KCS coaches blocking the road!

She says that there are usually quite a few KCS boys on the bus.

yes granted the R70 is a PITA route

would he cycle?

I guess the scholarship looks good on UCAS forms etc...

sandybailey aha. sorry confused.com

Whilst scholarships are nice I don't think they are going to be particularly helpful in later life. DD1 has one (academic and music) and I would be amazed if it ever got mentioned in a UCAS or application form.

It does make the DC feel special though and is a great confidence boost.

I have experience of both KCS and Hampton. Quite a few boys go to KCS from Teddington , across the yeargroups. The prep schools there feed a few to KCS each year. I don't know specifically about living in Twickenham but do know that in the current y9 there are boys from Kingston Teddington Hampton epsom Woking Oxshott Putney Barnes Fulham. Yes most are Wimbledonish area given the junior school sends about 90 to the senior school. About 70 come in new although of course now split into different stages with the new 11+ intake. The sport is great, lots of very sporty boys and opportunity.
Hampton also great option and boys go from wide area. So many boys at both would have a 40 minute journey. A tough decision but you can't go wrong with these 2.. KCS the more academic of the 2. Hampton has broader range of academic levels. where in the yeargroup your son would best sit is , I think, an important factor in choosing a school that most suits that child. Hampton atmosphere is more casual/relaxed. KCS more urban feel despite the setting on the common. I would go with which your son feels most at home in and can picture himself being part of.

I am so surprised that your son got a scholarship to KCS but he didn't get one for Hampton or KGS. Normally it is the other way around. KCS is considered more academic.

Thanks very much farangatang, MrsScrubbingBrush.

@TeddTess - yes, we’ve looked at biking (3 1/2 miles) but there are no segregated bike lanes for most of the way. Definitely an option though if there are couple of them who want to do it together (3 of DS’s classmates are definitely going to Hampton)

@Sandybaley - re scholarships, that’s exactly what I thought. Perhaps I should try and call the school to find out their take on it.

@Jemimaroo - Knowing both the schools, would you have an opinion on particular subjects that either of these schools excel at? DS is fond of Maths and loves writing. He has shown some interest in computing and debating - do these interests fit better with one of these schools?

Again, can’t thank all of you enough for all this help!

Needlefish, we were very surprised too esp since Hampton interviews went really well.

Scholarship interviews of course

I know 1 of the Hampton scholarships went to a Hampton Prep ds. The standard of dc sitting the exam at Hampton this year was really high.

Twickermom, we had the same dilemma last year, and my DS went to Hampton at the end. We loved both schools but Hampton is an easier commute.

Twickermom, debating societies good at both. Computing I believe both schools do in years7&8 but I don't have experience of those years at either. At KCS there is then a non examined computer course as an option in upper fifth to replace the french GCSE which they all take a year early. Both schools have plenty of clubs and societies for every interest - more than they can possibly do! Hampton keep most clubs in lunchtime so this is useful if you have a journey. Maths and writing , well , fantastic at both schools, but KCS definitely gets the higher results of the two. It is the more selective of the two. But we're talking about 2 schools in the top 20 in the country so it's degrees of perfection! Far too early to call at age 11 , but if IB is likely to be your thing instead of a level ie you're an all rounder, the KCS results are astounding.
They are very different schools in terms of atmosphere and style. As the journey is similar I would look at this as a differentiator. If your son is favouring one , and you are genuinely torn, then I would listen to him.
Re considering a cycle journey - I'd suggest you don't underestimate, as lots I know have, the amount of homework to carry in rucksacks plus the sports kit. They go to school for the day sometimes looking like they're heading off for a week!

Thanks a lot Sunshine5050, Needlefish and Jemimaroo