Which school: Sevenoaks or Epsom College?

[YuliaW]

Dear all, we need to choose one between these two at 11+. They are both great but seems in slightly different ways. I would be grateful for any suggestions. Many thanks!

Are these day places? Boy or girl? How keen are you on IB? Is your dc sporty/ musical etc?

Years 7/8 at Epsom are not part of the main college iirc and relatively recent. Sevenoaks is thought of as the more academically selective. Epsom , while the brightest achieve excellent results, is more rounded with art, sport, drama and music.

If day places, where do you live because at peak times the journey may be a long one!?

Sevenoaks is more academic, but for me the journey would be the key.

It is a day place and it is our daughter. We are planning to move in either case. Epsom is easier as they do buses and of course their entrance exams were easier. Our daughter is academic, sporty and determined. We have some friends with kids in Epsom, all with happy experiences. Sevenoaks felt as a learning institution though and I wonder if she will miss out on this aspect by going to Epsom. On the other hand, will she be able to enjoy Sevenoaks if she is not the strongest student in the class? My worry is that Sevenoaks might turn out to be a joyless academic hothouse ;)

I know dc at both & Sevenoaks is a wonderful school, did the entrance process really give you the hot house impression? I would go with the more academic Sevenoaks but as you say the bus system gives you far more areas to move to with Epsom. Your dd will be happy at either so go with the house move option.

No, the exams were ok and she was very relaxed after the Sevenoaks exam day. That being said she can be emotionally challenged and that is the aspect I worry about: not fitting, not feeling good enough under pressure, isolating as a result etc.

As far as I know there isn't much pressure at either for first couple of years, especially at Epsom where they are all together in that lovely new building (I don't know the layout at Sevenoaks). I think you may be over thinking this, go with your gut feeling.

V different schools. Pretty different areas to live. Nice decision to have to make though and you probably can't make a wrong choice! I'd pick the combination of school and area you/DC like best and that works best for your family:

I don't know Epsom College but Re Sevenoaks - Just to say, IME Sevenoaks is not a hothouse at all - my hunch is they don't need to be because of their selection process - they offer places based on who will thrive...
Co-curricular and service seen as very important and IME really are significant elements of the education they provide.
IB sixth form different to A levels and I guess suits all rounders better...
We have found it very friendly and relaxed. DC v happy.
Lots of children travel by train - there is the a school shuttle bus.
Campus is fantastic,
Sevenoaks is a lovely town.

Good luck! :-)

Thank you all for your suggestions. Best wishes, Yulia

Sevenoaks hands down. There have been rumblings about bullyimg at Epsom for years although much depends on the cohort of each year.

Epsom is a great school! I haven’t seen any evidence of bullying. Thanks to the really strong house system it is an incredibly friendly school, year groups mix very well and we are very happy with our choice, as is our DSs. If your child is academic they will fly at both schools.