Hey. I just wanted to pop in and say we had a similar issue last year for my daughter. In the end we went for Epsom but they are both great schools!
Ive cut and paste below a response a year ago that someone put on re. Epsom as it's such a good and true review and it really helped me.
As follows....
One key difference that helped when we were choosing ...Epsom has v strong house system for all students including day pupils. Housemistress/master and matron for each house and that’s where pupils spend breaks, free periods etc. Tutors in house who are responsible for a small group of students - academic and helping them take advantage of all Epsom has to offer. Any problems of any kind go through house mistress who responds immediately and helps parent or student navigate all the other teachers . The senior members of staff across the school are all very approachable. I know the head and he knows my DD but he'd not be the person I'd speak to for any help or issues. I guess some people might but never needed to. Might chat to him pitch side at a match from time to time.
We liked that it was still a boarding school. It's probably about half and half day and boarding and it's not a school where one group or other are second fiddle. But means staff mostly live on site and are v committed to school life. Also, because of boarding a slightly more diverse student population (ethnic and nationality) which mattered to us.
Students all seem to know each other and teachers know them. The teachers are involved in all sorts of things - coaching, running societies, leadership positions, and as a result the students have lots of contact with them and the teachers know them well.
Students work hard and do well and they are encouraged to join in - sport, music, drama, plus all sorts of other activities - DofE, science clubs, debating, etc. Loads to get involved in. School day is 8.20 to 6pm and Sat morning plus sport sat afternoon. So everyone does sports and choice of activities during school day.
Academic results good. (Published on the website by subject if you want to see and compare.) A lot of v bright kids in the school and with a variety of other talents too. DD is not super academic but is doing better than she expected with their approach- lots of block tests and feedback works well for DD.
It's pretty full on so you have to think that will suit your child and family. DD does keep up one hobby outside of school but she has to be super organised and doesn't do a lot else. Had she gone to St Johns, there might have been more down time as think it's shorter school day and no Sat school (just matches I think)