RGS Guildford....advice on other options

[ThreeOnOne]

My son's Yr 5 in a good state school, and we're looking at secondary school options.
We live in Farnham and we've decided that he'll definitely take the RGS entrance exam.
We loved the school and DS is academically capable.

I know it's very tough to get in though and I'd really like to have some other options though. I'm just really struggling to find some! I would really welcome any suggestions. So much harder for boys than girls round here...

Rough criteria...

• academic school. DS is capable...
• day school...we don't want boarding, but would consider day/boarding mix
• boys or co-ed
• accessible from Farnham by train or school bus.

Any ideas welcome!!

Hi, Sounds like RGS is perfect for your DS. We were state prior to joining the school, both my DS got in without any issue. Do plenty of the bond 11+ tests to get your DS used to the types of questions and exam techinique.
Other schools we looked at were Hampton, Reeds, St Georges and Salesian. St Johns in Leatherhead-but probably too far along with Reeds.
I agree there is a lot less choice for boys, good luck with the exams!

I know boys from the same area who go to Reigate and Reading grammar schools.

You could try Hampton - on a par academically with RGS.
I'm biased. Both my DSs went through RGS from state primary and both adored it. Completely different characters, interests and needs. I love RGS. It is a really rare school with great values.

If your son is bright (top 3-5 in his class in most subjects) he stands a very good chance of getting in. And RGS are doing everything they can to increase bursaries so that children from the state sector can take up a place regardless of income.

Hopefully you won't need a back-up but if you do, is Churchers doable logistically? Salesian in Farnborough? Lord Wandsworth College in Alton though I'm not sure how academic that is? Lots of the traditional back-ups for RGS are going to be too far for you I'd guess.

Salesian seems nearest but l think you're in a difficult spot logistically.

I am another massive RGS cheerleader with 2 sons going there from state. One now at uni, one in 6th form. Both have friends in Farnham so very doable. It is just a fab school.

Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate the advise and opinions!

I've ruled out Hampton, Kings, Reeds & St Georges on distance...just not practical for us a family. I haven't been to see Lord Wandsworth as the academic results didn't do it for me.

I went to look at Churchers, thinking that that the school bus made it doable and academics were ok, and that I would like it. Somewhat annoyingly, I didn't really like it though....and I just couldn't quite see my boy there. And it did feel quite a long way....

Looked at King Edwards Witley, but it just wasn't as focused on the academics as I would have liked, so ruled it out.

Going to look at Salesian's Open Day this weekend...I wasn't keen on a Catholic school (just a personal thing) but looking at the number of children and teachers who are actually Catholic (30-40%), I'm not getting the impression that it'll be too overtly religious....

Have my heart set on RGS if I'm honest, but there's a lot of bright boys going for those places and anything can happen on the day....

Churchers is very accessible by coach from Farnham. We use the train from Haslemere, but lots of my boys mates are Farnham based. We absolutely love it. I have one son in Year 11 and doing GCSEs - he has blossomed and flown at Churchers. I also have friends with kids of both sexes who have been unhappy at both day and boarding schools who have thrived at Churchers. The staff and head get to know all pupils, the academic support and enrichment is superb and any issues we or our boys have had have been swiftly dealt with.

Alton School?

There really aren’t many options near to us for academic schools. My children both hated RGS when we went to the open days. It suits a certain kind of boy and we do have friends with kids there who are very happy. I cannot fault Churchers at all. My boys also have friends at Portsmouth Grammar, but I don’t know transport options from Haslemere.