Moving to West End, Woking for Gordon’s School

[ThirtySomeThin]

We’ve just had an offer accepted on a house in West End, Woking which we’re planning to move to to get my eldest in to Gordon’s secondary school. I’d be really grateful for any information about the school such as the ethos, whether the children are happy, whether the marching feels strange, and whether most children stay late every day for prep work. Thanks for taking the time to read.

I don’t know how much you know about Gordon’s. Yes all the kids stay for prep, in year 7 they can be collected a bit earlier but it is still pretty late (6,45pm instead of usual 7.30pm). It has a real private school feel but with bigger class sizes. Very few pupils board so essentially it is a day school. The children have compulsory Saturday school which is 10-12 but these times vary due to sports fixtures at other schools.

In terms of results they are above the national average but, while it isn’t a selective school, it is selective by virtue of the catchment area and that almost every person has paid over the odds for their house to be able to get in there. Also it isn’t free, it’s costs around £8k a year for a day place.

There is no guarantee that buying a house in West End will get you a place at Gordon’s. We lived there for many years and sometimes neighbours got their children in and other times, didn’t.

One year, the catchment was 50 metres from the gates. Of course the results there are good, because they can pretty much be assured that every child they take will be a high flyer. It’s a private school in every aspect apart from trembly fees in £1000s. Still pretty expensive though.

Thank you both for your replies. Really helpful. Yes, we’re aware of catchment volatility and fees. I suppose what I’m really trying to work out is whether the children will be happy there. On the one hand we love the focus on sports, that they can easily walk to school, that they’ll be physically with friends after school rather than online, and encouraged to complete homework altogether in a structured environment. On the other hand, 7.30pm is very late. We’re a close family, enjoy eating meals together, playing games etc (I recognise this enthusiasm may wane when they’re teenagers) but I’m worried we’ll have very little time together and I’d like some flexibility with this. Does anyone know if this is possible?

I would highly recommend you seeing the school before committing to buying a house based on getting children into a school. I have children at the school and it is strict on them staying until after 7pm to complete their prep. Your children will have their evening meal at school. The school expects all families to work with the school to ensure this is encouraged. Saturday sports is obligatory and this can be the whole day out if an away match. You choose this school for these reasons and accept that this is they way the school works. Marching and Sunday parades is an integral part of school life and all children do it. If you have doubts, it is not wise to commit to buying a house to get your child in without doing all this research. It is a unique school with high standards which both students and their families adhere to. My children are very happy there.

Hi Suze, thank you for your input. Do you know how close we have to live to get in Gordons? Is within 1000m close enough?

www.surreycc.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions/arrangements-and-outcomes/previous-years#a22 the previous years admission criteria fulfillments are here.

It used to be about 50 metres from the grounds, but I expect it’s different now. Maybe Chobham Road down to Benner Lane or the main road towards Benner Lane. Sometimes, the other side of the main road was in catchment, other times it wasn’t. Lots more houses have been built over the last few years too.

It depends year on year. This year starting Sept 22 it was 900m but previous years have been 1300/1400m. Lots new houses being built and siblings catchment is now 1500m (up from 1000m) makes me think it will be under 1000m