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Secondary education

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Original poster

Wilson's vs Tiffin

34 replies

Charing · 04/03/2019 14:48

My DS got an offer from both of these top Grammar schools but do not know which one to choose from - help! It is such a difficult decision even after visiting these schools. We are prepared to move near our chosen school so our son will only have 30-35mins daily journey. We very much appreciate any recommendations from parents whose son is currently at these schools.

OP posts:
ChristopherTracy · 04/03/2019 15:32

You cant have an offer from both. You may have passed them both - is that what you mean. What have you ACTUALLY been offered?

3luckystars · 04/03/2019 15:35

Write a seperate pros and cons list for both of them. That's the secret.

Original poster
Charing · 04/03/2019 15:51

To ChristopherTracey, yes, we actually received offers from both school.
Thanks, 3luckystars - we haven't thought about that simple secret - its difficult to think when one is panicking - we're too eager to make the right decisions for our only DS's future.

OP posts:
sandybayley · 04/03/2019 16:01

@ChristopherTracy is right - in normal circumstances you can't be offered both. You get the one you placed highest on CAF which you qualified for.

Can you explain why you think you've been offered both?

Sweetnhappy1 · 04/03/2019 16:08

I may be able to explain. My DD has an offer from Tiffin and we put Nonsuch second on our form. Today I received an email from Nonsuch saying that my DD is of selective ability but she wasn't offered a place because she got a higher preference and if we've changed our mind about the order we can place her on the Nonsuch waiting list. I wonder if the OP has had similar.

KeepingTheWormsQuiet · 04/03/2019 16:23

OP, I'm assuming you mean that you have the option of going on the waiting list for your second choice and you'll probably get in because of the high school.

Wilson's and Tiffin are both very good schools. My two sons are at Wilson's and it's been great for them.

I would choose the one that's easier to travel to. Why not go for the one you originally put higher on your list of preferences (presumably the one you've been offered)? You must have had reasons for making that choice originally.

KeepingTheWormsQuiet · 04/03/2019 16:24
  • high score
KeepingTheWormsQuiet · 04/03/2019 16:34

I just received an email from my DD's second choice grammar school saying that she could go on the waiting list. It's not an offer of a place. OP, you need to read the email again.

HotpotLawyer · 04/03/2019 17:09

So the super-selectives are trying to poach the highest on the list that they couldn't fit in first round?

And telling applicants that they are highest on the list so would get in?

You can go on the waiting list for your second choice, but you have to specifically ask, you won't be automatically added as you are for first preference schools.

It is this sort of tactic, anyway, that ensures that their respective scores stay high, simply because it reflects the intake.

Extra-curricular, facilities, music, sports, arts, journey and where you want to live.

KeepingTheWormsQuiet · 04/03/2019 17:14

They're not trying to poach the highest on the list they couldn't fit in. They are trying to poach those with high scores, who got into a higher preference school. They are hoping that some may have changed their minds since doing the form back in October.

HotpotLawyer · 04/03/2019 17:24

Yes, you are right, Worms - my logic went missing for a moment Grin
And they do even better under your correct version.

Original poster
Charing · 05/03/2019 10:34

Thank you for all who have considered my query and given their helpful comment. My family will just need to calm down and carefully consider both Offer of Places. Yes, we did read our email carefully and both schools have formal offers and not 'waiting list' offer.

OP posts:
Hersetta427 · 05/03/2019 10:54

What did you put as your first choice on your CAF form?

I too am surprised you have two offers as all applications are handled by the LA who will only give you the offer you ranked highest - what did you therefore put first?

3luckystars · 05/03/2019 10:55

I think this might be an exceptional case.
Good luck with moving house.

WhenDoISleep · 05/03/2019 10:57

I would suggest that you contact the LA you applied via to clarify the situation as you should normally only get an offer for one state school, not two.

KeepingTheWormsQuiet · 05/03/2019 13:46

I know you don't want to listen, but it really truly should be impossible to have two offers from state schools. If you really have two offer emails it is because THERE HAS BEEN A MISTAKE somewhere.

You really need to speak to admissions at your LA and the admissions at the school, which wasn't offered to you by your LA and find out what has happened. Maybe you were meant to receive the waiting list letter and got sent an offer one by mistake. No child is so clever and wonderful that they will be the only child with two state school offers.

You are in danger of refusing a place at a top school for a place THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO YOU. Do you really want to be back on here in two weeks whining because your son has missed a great opportunity?

Original poster
Charing · 05/03/2019 13:54

@ Keeping The WormsQuiet. The offers came from LA and yes, we are in constant communication with then through email and telephone conversation.

OP posts:
3luckystars · 05/03/2019 13:54

She said they were offered a place in both schools.

I have a bit of an imagination but I think both schools want this child and they probably didnt even fill in one of those forms and may even be living in another country. (In a palace).

Good luck with your choice. I don't know anything about either school but where do you picture your son would fit in best? Can you imagine him in either one, laughing and happy. Then that's the one.

KeepingTheWormsQuiet · 05/03/2019 14:00

The LA has given you two offers??? What have they said about your receiving two offers during the "constant communication"? Did they say that they abandoned the nationwide system of school allocation
because your son was just so special? I don't think this is true and you're wasting our time with your fake dilemma.

TrainSong · 05/03/2019 14:09

Which one is easier to travel to?
Which does your DS prefer?
Which has the extra-curricular that he most wants to get involved in?

The travel is massively important. Once they are older they stay late at school, sometimes four nights a week, or go in early or go in on Saturdays. A quick reliable journey makes a huge difference to the quality of life they have.

Well done to your DS. They are both good schools.

Mustbetimeforachange · 05/03/2019 14:29

There have been a few errors with people being offered 2 schools this year (look at the eleven plus exams forum). You need to find out which is the genuine offer, OP, because something has gone wrong.

Hersetta427 · 05/03/2019 15:03

Assuming the OP listed one of these schools first in their CAF, then I assume that is the correct offer. Again, what school did you list first - are you know considering a school you listed as a lower preference?

MomsTheWorld · 29/10/2021 22:52

Would you consider Wilson and Tiffins at the same level academically and In extra curricular activities? We have to submit the CAF and are very confused about the which one to select as our first option. Distance wise Tiffins is closer to us. Unfortunately we haven’t had the opportunity to visit the schools in person as there weren’t any tours available due to Covid restrictions. Any inputs would be appreciated. Thank you.

GordievskyF · 30/10/2021 11:44

If you look at league tables, Wilson’s does a little better (not significantly though). However they are quite far apart distance wise so if you live close to Tiffin and have a choice, I would go for Tiffin every time.

rattusrattus20 · 30/10/2021 20:55

there's no difference at all. comps are different to grammars which only take local kids, which are in turn different to the ones who take kids from all over. but within a 'tier' of grammar it's futile to try and differentiate.