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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Epsom Vs Whitgift

21 replies

blume0101 · 14/02/2021 12:55

Luckily we've got offers from both schools, but we're agonising to choose a right school for our DS.

Our DS is ;
quite bright, well-rounded(real footballer but not good at it :), loves to play instruments and DT, high dexterity) but introvert(he seems to take some time to be settled, but he gets along well with his peers when he gets used to it)

Their pros and cons are as follows;
Epsom)
Co-ed
Similar to the atmosphere of current school
Friends who go to school together from his current school
Facilities are amazing(especially DT room etc.)
Saturday school(only games during the lower school, right?)
Rising school for better ranking
Our dd's preference

Whitgift)
Boys(I'm afraid the atmosphere would be more masculine)
A same school with his older brother, but no friends from current school
Good foundations
Strength in Maths and science
Safety issues(just from latest news, I have no prejudice against Croydon)
Their ranking with Gcse and A level(apart from IB in W) are similar, but W is more advantageous for top universities so far.

I hope you understand my Englisg(not my first language), and I would like to hear the real experience and advices of attending these both schools.

Many thanks in advance.

OP posts:

ChristopherTracy · 14/02/2021 14:22

I will let other people comment but these are very different schools indeed with very different intakes. I imagine your child is going to be a day boy at Epsom? Epsom has a very different social feel to Whitgift where a lot of boys will be on bursaries - how do you feel about that?

I would ignore the Croydon thing about Whitgift unless your ds is going to be travelling through East or West Croydon as the school itself is a long way from there in much posher South Croydon.

Plus is this 13 or 11 entry?

AveEldon · 14/02/2021 14:56

So is your older child already at Whitgift or about to join?

Original poster

blume0101 · 14/02/2021 15:00

thank you for your comments.
he is for 11 entry and his bro is for 13 entry this coming Sep, so I don't have any experience with W.

OP posts:

AveEldon · 14/02/2021 18:39

Whitgift has all sorts of boys - boys who like drama and music - its not all macho sports

Is there much difference in journey for the two schools?

Divebar2021 · 14/02/2021 18:42

South Croydon is in no way posh.

ChristopherTracy · 14/02/2021 19:33

You dont think the area around Whitgift is posher than the area around West Croydon? er ok.

Sunrainclouds · 14/02/2021 21:24

We have exactly the same dilemma! DS with offers from both schools for 11+ and we absolutely love both for completely different reasons. Ultimately, co-Ed is more important to us, but because we are going through this process for the first time (DS is our eldest), we worry not to make the wrong decision. I’ll follow this post with interest - would be great to hear from parents from either school on their experience.

AdultingAvoidance · 14/02/2021 21:41

Whitgift known for expecting results from the boys. Epsom nutures the whole child. Know boys from both. Ultimately Epsom is posher as it has not got a wide bursary system like the Whitgift Foundation. But is more likely to accept anyone who can afford whereas Whitgift is a bunfight to get into with high academic standards due to bursary option. 90% of boys tutored to get into Whitgift even those at local private preps. Whitgift is on the better side of Croydon but do not let your boys travel through QWest Croydon station, use the minibus system provided at a premium cost run by the school. West Croydon station area is dangerous, particularly for boys in private school uniforms. Epsom school is in a much nicer area with better local catchment.

Sunrainclouds · 14/02/2021 21:54

Does Whitgift have higher academic standards? Both schools very competitive to get into with 6-7 applying for a place this year. Ratings not far off, though slightly better for Whitgift. Epsom’s results consistently on the rise over the past few years.

AveEldon · 14/02/2021 22:00

Epsom has a hike in fees as you go up the school

West Croydon is no more dangerous than the rest of Croydon imho

Divebar2021 · 14/02/2021 22:18

South Croydon is definitely nicer ( I lived there) but it’s not posh. West Croydon is rough & high crime. If the plan is to use public transport then this information is obviously relevant. Epsom has far far less crime overall than Croydon. I’ve also lived in Epsom and know it well.

AdultingAvoidance · 15/02/2021 11:57

West Croydon police have a microbeat around West Croydon station and covering the London Road and surrounding roads. Knife crime and drug related crime (shoplifting, theft from person) as well as issues with CR7 and #O gang life. Whitgift is in the far safer neighbourhood of South Croydon well away from this street life culture but don't let your sons travel via West Croydon station. East Croydon station and South Croydon stations are fine

unchienandalusia · 15/02/2021 13:24

If I had boys I'd definitely go for whitgift but I have a DD and DS.

Original poster

blume0101 · 15/02/2021 13:42

@ChristopherTracy
@AveEldon
We live in posh area near Epsom, but we are not rich at all, just live because my hubby's workplace is close and just parents who are interested in academic something.

OP posts:

Original poster

blume0101 · 15/02/2021 13:46

@AdultingAvoidance
Thank you for the useful information, they'll probably use the school coach.

OP posts:

Original poster

blume0101 · 15/02/2021 13:51

@Sunrainclouds
It's nice to see that we're on the same boat, then which school are you leaning more? Epsom?
my hubby wants a school that is more historically academic, but i would like to prioritize my ds's opinion so far.

OP posts:

Original poster

blume0101 · 15/02/2021 13:53

@unchienandalusia
Can I kindly ask you why you think so?

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 15/02/2021 13:58

West Croydon is no more dangerous than the rest of Croydon imho

It is more dangerous than South Croydon, where Whitgift is.

Sunrainclouds · 16/02/2021 00:31

We are leaning towards Epsom for the following reasons:
Co-ed is very important to us
Definitely on the rise academically + becoming more and more popular with London families
Under 1,000 pupils and 85 acres of space (compared to Whitgift’s 45 acres and 1,600 pupils) + much nicer area
We like the idea of longer days and Sat school from Y9
The higher fees from Y9 actually work out cheaper than Whitgift if you consider the hours spent at school and term dates
Strong house system and pastoral care
International intake

DS is quite academic and sporty. He has his heart set on Epsom too, mainly because of the impressive grounds / sports fields! Having said that, he never had the chance to see Whitgift.

cakecreator · 16/02/2021 11:27

I do not know about Epsom. My son has an offer for Whitgift.
To me, as an outsider Whitgift just seems to be getting better and better. We feel lucky that our son has scored a place.

We are concerned about safety as our son would have a challenging commute and need to go through East and South Croydon stations.

No concerns about the school at all but just getting to and from the school, which will be a long journey and we can not facilitate the journey in any other way like car drop offs.There is another thread about Whitgift that you may find helpful.

We still have not decided.

Sunrainclouds · 20/02/2021 22:38

Blume0101 - did you make a decision?

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