Kings College School Wimbledon Vs Nonsuch High School

[CheamMumOf2Kids]

we have scheduled a place at Kings College School in Wimbledon and are tempted to jump the ship from Nonsuch.
The only concern is whether it is worth the extra commute, money, and shifting from a very good school like Nonsuch nearby.
Will appreciate any advice.

Do you mean for sixth form?

Is your daughter already at the school or due to start? It's quite a personal decision and depends on your income. Personally if KCS required sacrifices, I'd stick with Nonsuch. Especially as you must live relatively close. If you earn well enough that it's not really an issue, then it might be different, although still more of a hassle commuting.

Thank you @BendingSpoons, We have to start from the next academic year (16+ entry). She is already a student at NonSuch. Frankly speaking, money is not insignificant for us; but we can manage (with reasonable sacrifices) if it significantly improves the chances for university destinations of choice.
If our commute wasn't increasing then it would have been a straight Money/ value equation. Now it is almost Money + Child's Time Vs Value, so having misgivings about this.

Is she happy where she is? Does she like the teachers for the subjects she is taking for A-level? If yes to both of these I wouldn’t leave unless there is a tangible gain - different subject choices/ better teaching/ closer relationship to preferred destination university. I think you have to be specific rather than general by this point. Plus it will be a big shift to a co-Ed environment from all girls. How does dd feel about that?

I have no personal experience but know a girl who moved from WHS to KCS for 6th form and regretted it. Two main reasons:

1. KCS did not know her and she had to "prove" herself again.
2. It is quite a "male" culture.

PS this was approximately 3-4 years ago so things may have changed.

What does she think? Where is she targeting for uni? Oxbridge? I would have thought (based on admittedly outdated info) that you would only really see a difference if aiming for Oxbridge. Nonsuch will be used to sending girls to all the top unis (including Oxbridge, but probably less).

As she will be 16, I would think the journey would be something she can decide on, along with a new environment and co-ed. Plus extra-curriculars. The money is less of a factor for 2 years, although still relevant.

If Oxbridge statistics are what's important to you then the stats for every single school/college in the UK are available here for Cambridge
www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/undergraduate_admissions_by_apply_centre_2020_cycle.pdf

I assume Oxford has a similar list.
Locally to us the selective state schools have a higher success rate than the selective independents.

I know someone who went to KCS for 6th form and loved it but it didn't come out of Everyone's Invited all that well.

Thank You so much for sharing your experiences. We are in the discussions with school to understand a bit more about their approach for few elements. I will share our feedback and learnings one way or another on forum for sure.
Cheers