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Secondary education

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Original poster

Wilson's vs. City of London

38 replies

BunnyLebowski1000 · 02/03/2020 23:28

We find ourselves in the very lucky situation of having to choose between these two great options: Wilson's or City of London. Is there an obvious choice? DS is quite into maths, likes sports but not particularly sporty. Clearly there are the fees, but what else distinguishes these schools? Any views appreciated.

OP posts:
Bluejuicyapple · 06/03/2020 18:28

No way is City a posh school which would have much of a different outcome from a grammar school. It’s the cheapest private school in London by a long margin and has an extremely generous bursary scheme. The majority of the boys there are not from super rich families and many many of them have siblings in good state schools and come from ordinary middle class families. Undoubtably the opportunity’s there are great but it’s not really a networking making connections school more than a the SW London grammars or really middle class comprehensives

cakeisalwaystheanswer · 07/03/2020 17:18

Last year at CLSB despite their amazing Art facilities only 2 boys sat A level Art according to their results, 4 sat at Wilsons. Unsurprisingly, both schools A level results have exactly the same STEM focus that other super selective boys schools have. I have looked at quite a few similar schools recently to do with another thread and all top boys schools show exactly the same STEM bias.

www.cityoflondonschool.org.uk/about/exams

www.wilsons.school/examresults/

Original poster
BunnyLebowski1000 · 14/03/2020 13:00

Thank you all for your insights. We decided to give Wilson’s a try in the end!

OP posts:
AtomicRabbit · 14/03/2020 15:56

@cakeisalwaystheanswer

Do you think that's bad? The low number of boys taking Art? That there's such a focus on STEM? I guess the highest paying jobs are in STEM areas and that's what many focus on ultimately these days.

Are you saying that despite the extra £20k per year for City there's no real difference in 'roundedness' of education because low numbers taking Art?

No judgement either way. Just curious.

MarchingFrogs · 14/03/2020 16:05

Do you think that's bad?

Sad, rather than bad, perhaps?

cakeisalwaystheanswer · 14/03/2020 17:24

Neither bad nor sad, just a fact. And my point really was that is the fees are a struggle then there is no evidence that CLS boys are any more "rounded" than Wilsons. Very bright boys all follow the same paths.

I don't want to get into a STEM/Arts squabble but if you think that the former dicates where and how we live, our buildings our bridges, our scientific progress, our medicine and probably our continued existence on this planet it is hardly surprising it is so attractive to the very bright, or that it pays well!

AtomicRabbit · 15/03/2020 18:51

Not looking for a squabble at all. Just curious to hear more. Thank you. Your answer was as I expected but wanted to confirm and you made a good point about STEM careers.

privateschool · 18/10/2021 17:42

@ Quote BunnyLebowski1000 sorry, I know this thread hasn't been posted on for a while, but I was wondering how you feel about your decision about going for Wilsons? How is your DS finding it? We're in the process of applying to schools at the moment and just generally keen on seeing the debate on superselective grammar vs top indie.

privateschool · 18/10/2021 17:43

@BunnyLebowski1000 sorry, I know this thread hasn't been posted on for a while, but I was wondering how you feel about your decision about going for Wilsons? How is your DS finding it? We're in the process of applying to schools at the moment and just generally keen on seeing the debate on superselective grammar vs top indie.

notobelate · 02/03/2023 12:46

GI76 · 03/03/2020 12:46

I am in an unique position with two of my kids: one at Wilson’s and another at a top independent grammar school-not City but same/better results.
So far, two and five years in, I do not see a big difference between the schools. Similar clever and hard working boys, maybe slightly less driven kids at the top independent. Sports opportunities very similar if you are in the A/B team. Music is better/more inclusive at Wilson’s. Every boy has to play an instrument in the first year ( free tuition and instrument), they all learn. Same subjects, Latin etc using same textbooks. Teachers very dedicated at both schools. Boys at Wilson’s very proud of their school and rightly so. Very caring staff, who have done a lot to support sports interest for their pupils. At the top independent same caring staff, but have not seen the school go out of their way/set schedule to accommodate specific pupils interest. But very happy with both school, cannot really find significant differences. Apart from the fees ...

Hi GI76,
I am new to the site and just saw your post.
I am in a similar situation now: One kid is in a top independent school but very keen to send my younger one to Wison's.
Can you give more details about your comments: ''maybe slightly less driven kids at the top independent'', please? Because that is exactly what I consider at the moment.
Do you still think Wilson's has a more self-motivative atmosphere after 2 years and why? -- Maybe the teachers, students' family backgrounds...?
Thank you

notobelate · 02/03/2023 13:13

BunnyLebowski1000 · 14/03/2020 13:00

Thank you all for your insights. We decided to give Wilson’s a try in the end!

Hi BunnyLebowski1000,
How was your try on Wilson's, please?
We are on a similar boat now.
Thank you

NewBunny · 02/03/2023 13:24

Happy with Wilson’s.

GI76 · 03/03/2023 05:48

@notobelate very happy with Wilson’s, DS in Y10 now.
Motivated kids, excellent teaching and lots of sport and music if you want it. Also happy with top independent.

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