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Secondary education

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Original poster

Tiffins Boys vs KCS vs Hampton Boys

12 replies

TW79 · 15/02/2021 17:26

Hi,

My DS has now got offers from KCS and Hampton Boys. I am expecting him clearing the Tiffins Boys hurdle as well.

However we have are not able to decide on whether to select an independent school like KCS/Hampton or go for Tiffins. For us money and distance is not the deciding factor.

My DS is academically good and loves challenges.. but is not keen on sports. Due to pandemic we were not able to visit Tiffins Boys. I would appreciate if someone can help me by giving a true comparison based on their experience. I know that it is unfair to compare facilities in a grammar vs independent school and I appreciate it. However I have no clue about the extra curricular activities, pastoral support and academic challenges at Tiffins Boys.

OP posts:
hamper555 · 15/02/2021 19:44

That's amazing re the offers - well done to your son. I can't comment on the schools - I know they all have amazing reputations. If money is not the deciding factor, I would imagine there are plenty of families that would appreciate the Tiffins place

FlyingPandas · 15/02/2021 19:55

I don't know anything about Tiffin boys, but just wanted to query your comment about 'money and distance is not the deciding factor'.

Fair enough if money is not the issue, but distance HAS to be a deciding factor (unless you're planning to move near to whichever school you choose).

If you have a look at the various live threads on this board at the moment, the advice you see repeated over and over (from parents of older secondary age DC who know what they are talking about having experienced it already) is - go for the school with the easiest journey. Your DS is the one who is going to have to do it for the next 7 years, after all.

mimbleandlittlemy · 15/02/2021 20:10

FlyingPandas - Hampton, KCS and Tiffins are really not that far apart so I am sure the OP is right when she says distance isn’t a problem.

Original poster
TW79 · 16/02/2021 08:23

@FlyingPandas

I don't know anything about Tiffin boys, but just wanted to query your comment about 'money and distance is not the deciding factor'.

Fair enough if money is not the issue, but distance HAS to be a deciding factor (unless you're planning to move near to whichever school you choose).

If you have a look at the various live threads on this board at the moment, the advice you see repeated over and over (from parents of older secondary age DC who know what they are talking about having experienced it already) is - go for the school with the easiest journey. Your DS is the one who is going to have to do it for the next 7 years, after all.

@FlyingPandas Thanks for you message. The distance to both KCS and Tiffins is almost the same from where we live.. harldy 10 mins difference.

I am more interested in understanding the difference which KCS provides academically which Tiffins cannot. Hope it helps.

OP posts:
Jumpalicious · 16/02/2021 08:56

KCS has many more extra curricular opportunities because it is fee paying. Plus greater emphasis on pastoral care, for similar reason. They will do everything to support the pupils and ensure they do their best (parents expect this for £20+ K fees!). Tiffin will provide a v high standard of education, with very bright kids, but with none of the added frills.

If money is no object, I’d say leave the grammar for the families who don’t have the funds for private, and go for kings.

ElonanotAlone · 16/02/2021 14:02

@TW79 congrats at offers. Tough decision. Friends with older DS, educated at Tiffin both secured places at Cambridge. The parents couldn't speak more highly of Tiffin. Invesment is in the children and teaching staff, less on the beautiful grounds - if that makes sense.
Naturally bright, curious boys will find their tribe and excell, the extra curricular needs to be exceptional and relevant to your DS.

Jumpalicious · 04/03/2021 07:41

@TW79 this dilemma is now here for us! What are you going to do?

TiffinIndieChoice · 04/03/2021 08:08

Hi

We had the same decision last year. Went with Tiffin.

I've written my comments under the thread "SW London Boys ,11+ grammars and independents" on 3rd March at 12.54 and 13.17.

As you will be able to see, I say it depends on individual circumstances, but I do give detail about Tiffin (I couldn't find much last year so hope it helps)

TiffinIndieChoice · 04/03/2021 08:39

And at 17.55 and 18.23

Original poster
TW79 · 04/03/2021 11:08

Thanks all for the replies.. much appreciated.

@Jumpalicious We have decided to go with Tiffins. Spoken to quite a few current and past parents and one current year 9 student. Have heard only good things. They all have nothing really to complain about. One on my DS friends mum called the school and have spoken to the deputy head and he said don't judge us by the looks of the building.

It's a personal choice and a really hard one . My DS got academic scholarship at Hampton, academic scholarship and music exhibition award at LU and St. George's and a place at KCS.

I still cannot see the delta difference between independent school and Tiffins worth at least 175K over next 7 years. I feel my DS will be happy and whatever we will save over next 7 years will only help him in the Uni.

It was a hard decision to make and I have just emailed all all the schools to decline the offers. Hope this helps.

OP posts:
TiffinIndieChoice · 04/03/2021 14:02

Tw79 your son will love the music at Tiffin. I'm annoyed my DS isn't at all musical !

MomsTheWorld · 03/03/2022 15:47

@TW79 @TiffinIndieChoice - we are in the same boat as you. If you don't mind, I will DM you for a few questions that I have. Thanks in advance for your help

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