St Paul’s or Kings College School Wimbledon

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Hi, I am hoping for some advice here on which school might suit a very academic child, with little talents in sports or music. I realise that both SPS and KCS are sought after schools, but given a choice, and if the fees and distance to the schools are not an issue, which would you choose and why?

The teaching at SPS is inspirational. DS (not normally over effusive) could share his excitement every single day over one or other of his subjects. The boys have huge respect for the expertise amongst the staff and also of their peers.

It is a place where academic excellence is a given, so other passions and interests can also be nurtured in depth. The vertical tutor system is an excellent way of maintaining pastoral support and providing supportive role models from their very first day.

@KingscoteStaff Thanks for replying. Would you have any specific comments about how SPS stretches the children beyond the regular syllabus? We are not too concerned about GCSE and A level results as these are fairly given but rather, what else they learn. How much do they stretch the children? Another concern I have is the pace of teaching. Does SPS set the students into classes or for specific subjects? As an example, DS has said that his prep teaching a topic in 5 lessons when it could have been done in 1. We realise that schools have to teach at the pace of those students forming the majority of the class and have explained to him. It doesn’t stop the frustrations unfortunately. Most schools will set the children but the sets are limited by quality of the intake. And sometimes setting of classes do not work because children who are good at languages may not perform at the same pace in the STEM subjects. Would you have any comments about the setting is done?

I don't think you need to worry about either school. Will be very different from your prep! Clever boys will be stretched. Go for fit and feel and where you can best see your DS.

Saying this, both schools will have offer events where you can ask specific questions.

Both amazing are schools. Kings is coed in its sixth form and offers the IB and A levels.

Well, the best example I can give is Maths. There are 8 sets. DS’s best friend was in set 1. They finished the GCSE syllabus at the end of year 9 and the Add Maths syllabi’s at the end of year 10 and spent most of Year 11 on International Olympiad stuff and their own research (some Physics linked). DS was in set 8 of 8, finished the GSCE syllabus at Feb half term of year 11. He got a 9, though, as did most of set 8.

I think, as per the above, SPS is traditionally geared more towards the child you describe.

Thanks to all for your thoughts, particularly @KingscoteStaff. It confirms what I thought initially. I think I now have to put distance and the slightly higher fees in SPS into perspective before making the decision.

For your requirements, SPS is the clear winner as the results will show if you look at them. Obviously with a new High Master coming we cannot tell you how setting might be done in future but right now they are set on a subject basis from GCSE year onwards. I think the first year (fourth form) it’s a bit more general though is different in maths for sure. To give you an idea, there are seven sets for double maths in the sixth form (eighth form) so you can see how wide the ability banding is.

The school says you should take covering the curriculum and good public exam results for granted (albeit it requires work) and how they judge themselves is in your son developing a passion for his subject and going further. But don’t forget education is about more than just grades, and hopefully your son would hope to develop some passion outside the classroom. And also needs to take his own responsibility for stretching himself. So my DS - who is more devoted to sport than his subjects if truth were told - has still spent his last three breaks going to find his teachers to discuss a philosophical question which he has come up with after listening to a science podcast. And they will happily spend the time to sit down and discuss it with him.

Good luck with your choice.

That’s not the case of the league tables I have looked at WorkingItOut - please could you post a link to back up your “clear winner” statement?

St Pauls is very slightly ahead of KCS on the govt tables for 2019 with an average A level grade point of 52.05 compared to 51.92, both are A* average. To be fair in DS1's year at KCS all the super keen sat IB and A levels were for the idle (DS1!). But to offset this KCS has a large intake of super bright girls at 6th form which gives the A level results a significant boost.

If I was choosing now I would choose St Pauls because it is still a proper 13+ school and mine were at 13+ preps. It also still has on site sports facilities which is something I am evangelical about. For a very strong mathematician StP's is a much better bet as they have a very stong record at Olympiads. I don't think that KCS have ever got through to national finals. The maths dept at StPs is very strong, DS1's former maths tutor teaches there and he is amazing.

The IB at KCS may suit the OP's DS, however? I think unless you want to do medicine or maths, whereby specialist a levels are best (I think I'm correct in saying this?)

We're keen on IB for our DS (if he continues to love learning)

And surely girls in sixth form is better getting them ready for uni.?

St Paul’s is going co-Ed in 6th form.

Medicine actually works fine with IB. Maths is a funny one because at information evenings the Kings HT will waffle on about how difficult IB maths is but apparently there is also a Further Maths option for IB which Kings don't offer. According to maths teachers on MN the extra entry exams for top maths uni courses are based on this module.

If you are interested try search on MN or just post a new thread, there are loads of maths teachers here.

There is a general expectation that Kings will go completely co-ed, hence the enlarged 11+ entry.

That’s interesting. Any idea when that could happen? I’m thinking ahead...

I visited both schools recently and thought Kings has nicer facilities. St Paul’s is a bit gloomy and there’s a lot of building work taking place - or planned anyway.

I liked the head at St Paul’s but at the end of the talk he told us he’s leaving. They’re getting their first female head teacher.

Sorry, “high master”.

That's interesting @cakeisalwaystheanswer. We were at a fairly recent offer holders event and the head was adamant there were no plans to allow girls to enter at any point other than 6th form in future. Why do you think otherwise?

Asking as we are still mulling our options but if there is a likelihood of KCS going full co-ed than that would rule it out for us.

Listen to the head. The rumours have been around for a while. Lots of girls' schools in the area, and a lack of boys. Can't see it happening.

@Notmynom - we are very local and that is very much the local view point. Older parents say that they made exactly the same denials about allowing girls for 6th form and then it happened.

13 years ago I first heard the rumour Kings would go completely co Ed. Still waiting...

Maybe it will, maybe it won't but I'm pretty sure that prospective parents won't be told in advance.

Before DS1 started I had swallowed the "academically rigourous" IB myth and lapped up the stories of how A levels were too easy. It was a big selling point for the school. So immediately after the deposit was paid to commit for a place and when other offers had been relinquished, I was not impressed to receive a letter from the school announcing the re-introduction of A levels alongside the IB. This had been planned for some time and I believe that prospective parents purposely weren't told earlier because it would have affected the numbers taking places. By the time DS1 got to 6th form the school was pushing the IB because it is much easier to get 7s at IB than A*s at A level.

I think I was incredibly naieve and too trusting.

I visited both and agreed with previous poster that the buildings at StP look very tired whilst the sport facilities were much better than KCS. I did not like the location of StP which means travelling is tricky. Wimbledon is much better for public transport. Too early to say IB or A levels is better as DS is only 10 but having choices is always better.