IB Diploma - Tonbridge Grammar

[Veronica25]

We have started to look at Sixth Forms for DD, she doesn't need to apply until next year though. She will be moving from an independent school and said she would like to go to a school that is highly recognised. Her favourite subjects are DT, Maths, Geography. Does anyone have experience of the IB Diploma in Tonbridge Grammar? what is it like? DD is academic and I think she will get the scores she needs for GCSEs.

We live in South East London, so probably too far too commute there but don't know which ones to look at. Can anyone recommend other sixth forms to look at? I didn't grow up in the UK so I am a bit lost.

Any of the Central London schools like Westminster? Alleyns and JAGS in Dulwich have school coaches from some of the SE areas. Slightly less competitive is Eltham College and Colfe's.
For state sixth forms, St Olaves and Newstead Wood have good results.

Dartford Grammar School for Boys would be great for her for 6th form. The girls' grammar is very good too but the the boys' is extremely highly regarded. In fact they've just won some big award.

www.dartfordgrammarschool.org.uk/index.asp

Thank you very much. Will look at Dartford.

Just to clarify we are only looking at State Sixth Forms.

We missed on booking Dartford Sixth Form open evening. Thankfully she doesn't need to apply yet; but we don't have to have a shortlist of the schools she should be looking at.

Any more advice would be appreciated.

I meant we would like to have a list of the Sixth Forms She needs to look at. We will look at St Olaves and Newstead too

SE London to Tonbridge isn't too bad, either get a local service to Orpington/Sevenoaks, then change. The open evening is tonight, so you need to get your skates on!

Thank you Ifailed. We will go and Look at Tonbridge tonight. I did look on the website and thought it was a bit far, but will take the route you suggested.

Just to say that Tonbridge is such a great school. Pastorally so so strong and achieved good results too. If your dd is interested in the IB then I recommend. But knowing whether she wants to do A levels or IB is a big decision and you should choose your sixth form after that ……

What is the exact address of Tonbridge Grammar. Just want to make sure we don't go to the wrong place.

I don't think she knows much about IB vs A levels yet to be honest. That's the reason for us to start looking at this this year (She is in year 10). She does very well at school and is academic but I am wondering if the IB will be too much pressure.

I am looking at the best route to go to Tonbridge Grammar tonight. She told me yesterday she wanted to look at as many as possible and wanted to go to a highly recognised school, so she is ambitious.

Should we also look at Weald of Kent? What is the difference between the two sites? Sadly, they are not having an open day this year. This in case DD decides to do A levels instead of IB.

Tonbridge grammar is at deakin leas

Definitely worth looking at weald but also at Judd which has is a boys grammar with an excellent sixth form which admits girls - also in Tonbridge

Thank you. Will put Judd in the open day for next year, this one is sold out. Also, Weald of Kent as they are not having an open day this year.

If you are driving from Bromley/Orpington way, TGS is best accessed off the A21 via Baltic Road. Avoid the High Street and Pembury Road!

@Phineyj

If you are driving from Bromley/Orpington way, TGS is best accessed off the A21 via Baltic Road. Avoid the High Street and Pembury Road!

Thanks a lot, will take that into account.

Hi,

We managed to go to the open day yesterday for TGS, went by public transport at the end to check the commute. DD and I were very impressed, I think the IB will suit her better as she doesn't know what to do as a career yet.

The Commute we are not so sure, she will have to leave the house at 7:15am and will be back by 5pm. It is doable if she really wants to go there and she will be travelling on a different direction to the commuters so could study/rest on the train. The costs for her train ticket was a bit high too as it is out of the London zone so she can't use her Oyster card. I imagine she could get an student season pass which should be cheaper.

If she is very keen on maths then Kings Maths School is an exceptional state 6th form but she'd need to be a very talented mathematician.

I went to Dartford Grammar to do the IB many years ago. It's a fabulous school and easily commutable from SE London by train. Might be worth contacting them to see if you could visit another time or have a look virtually?

Thank you very much. We will definitely contact Dartford Grammar to see if we can see it, as it is easier to commute from where we live, only one train. We loved TGS but it involves a bus, 2 trains and a walk.

Does Dartford Grammar have Digital Technology as part of their subjects? Their website is not very clear.

Regarding Kings Maths School. We haven't thought of it. Do they only do maths or other subjects as well? DD likes and does well in maths but not sure it will be the only thing she wants to do. She likes DT and Geography as well.