Views on Chestnut Grove / Kingsdale - Help please!

[tadger98]

Would love to hear from people with dc in Chestnut Grove or Kingsdale about their impressions of their school. We like both but are finding it very difficult to choose between them. What kind of dc would thrive at each school do you think (and also what kind would maybe struggle)? Also any other views would be greatly appreciated.

For context we live in Earlsfield and my ds has done well enough to be in the top Band for Chestnut Grove and he has also been offered a full sports scholarship at Kingsdale. He is bright but not super academic, sporty, makes friends easily but can be sensitive to what others think of him.

Thanks in advance!

How is the journey to Kingsdale? 45 mins I expect.

How far are you from CG? Obv the distances move a lot each year but last year the top band was 1061m

Hi AveEldon

Given where we live we should get into CG - not on 2 March but after a while on the waiting list.

Yes KD is about a 45 min journey. CG about 30 mins.

I don't know anyone with kids at Kingsdale but plenty who are happy at CG
With Kingsdale as the kids come from far and wide it may affect social stuff outside of school as their friends may be 45 mins on the other side of school iyswim

I don't understand the Kingsdale admissions - does the sports scholarship guarantee you a place?

Placemarking as I’m looking at Chestnut Grove for 6th form

Thanks AveEldon. Yes good point about the social side. Hadn't thought about that. Offer of a sports scholarship doesn't guarantee a place but my understanding is that you normally get an offer on 2 March or soon after.

YesThisIsMe. Welcome! I have heard CG 6th form is going from strength to strength. I think it got an ALPS score of 2 this year which would put it in the top 10% of 6th forms nationally and in the outstanding category.

I don’t have proper experience of Kingsdale myself but two of my colleagues have had kids there (one’s year 10 now and the other university) and they both say it’s a good school, no problems with bullying or anything for their kids.
I have a year 7 dd and year 6 ds so have visited it this year and last year and like it, it seems best for kids like you describe your son as, sporty or musical (seems to have really good opportunities for these), generally bright but not strictly academic.
The social side is something to consider, at my daughter’s new school nearly all the students live within a 2 mile radius so easier for them to meet up, one of her new friends lives up the road and they often go to the park across the road from school to hang out after school which may not be possible if you have to get going because of a long commute. Also is that 45 minutes in the car? So longer if he was to take the bus/train by himself when he’s older?

Thx LoveSummerLife. Good to hear positive feedback from your colleagues. And your point about the social side is well taken.

On your question it would be 45min by public transport (bus and train).

One thing to bear in mind is relative sizes - Kingston is bigger than CG. We went for CG for our DD as we thought the smaller size would suit her better, and it has worked out very well, so no regrets. The CG staff seem to have the pastoral side well worked out, at least from our experience. Also it's good having friends from a somewhat more local area than the lottery-based Kingston catchment.

Thanks Arkestra. Yes KD is much bigger than CG. I understand KD is taking 350 in Y7 this year while CG intake is 150. I’ve heard lunchtime at KD can be chaotic but ds takes packed lunch so hopefully would not be an issue.

On the flip side class sizes at KD are small at around 20 on average and for some options like MFL can be single figures. Suggests kids unlikely to fly under the radar.

Chestnut Grove is taking 210 kids in Sept 2020

One thing you may want to consider about Kingsdale is that being offered a scholarship is no guarantee of a place. It means you have a better chance in the lottery. I know several children awarded scholarships last year but no eventual place.

DS2 has a very close friend there, now in 6th Form, who has done very well and has been happy. I do hear mixed reports though and I know of 2 people who have removed their children from the school - but that can happen anywhere. I think if your child is hardworking and motivated they will do well.