KGS or Whitgift

[Tot98]

My DS got the offer from KGS and Whitgift. He likes sports and art as well. Whitgift about 1hours by school bus and KGS about 30 minutes by public bus.
He likes both.
Could you please give any experience and opinion?

Shorter journey time.

No rugby at KGS. Lots of very good sports at WG.

I might choose WG if my DS was very sporty. Much bigger campus and sports grounds on site. KGS not in the same league.

I think an hour on the school bus is too long a journey, personally.

I have a DC at KGS.

Sport is very strong. Hockey is the main sport, with cricket in the summer, Football is a secondary sport, but they still play a lot if they are in A and B teams. There are only 55 boys so opportunity to get into teams. No sports grounds on site but they play football at lunchtimes in school and on Fairfield, Park, and they take and bring the children to the amazing sports fields in Thames Ditton all the time. Has not been an issue.

Art and the art department is incredible, My DC's art teacher is inspirational

Kingston is so convenient for transport so if either the bus or train is not working, there is always the other option, DO NOT underestimate the importance of the journey for your DC and for you to get to concerts, parents evenings / talks etc. It makes a big difference to busy secondary school children and their families

The pastoral care is very good, A smaller school than most so feels like a community,

Good luck

@Tot98 - did you get first round offer from KGS or wait list out of interest. DC is reserved so I'm still waiting....thanks!

@jane128 My son got first round offer. Fingers crossed for yours.

We had these two to choose between last year. Although my DS had a clear preference for KGS (a gut feel, he just liked the atmosphere).
We were a bit torn, weighing up the super-impressive facilities, the vast range of opportunities and sense of prestige at W, against a smaller, potentially more personal, but more limited offerings at KGS.

In the end we chose KGS, based on his preference, a shorter and more accessible commute, a slight preference for co-ed and a bit of self reflection re being swayed by prestige vs a feel that KGS had a modern, dynamic approach because they're less encumbered by tradition and size.

Am sure DS would have done equally well at W as it's a fantastic school. But have no regrets with our choice - the offering doesn't feel limited at all now we're there (the problem is still too much to do/choose between).

My very sporty son is incredibly happy at KGS and a great location for meet ups at the weekend as they grow up and become more independent.