Woldingham or JAGS

[Ruby1001]

Hi which would you choose if your child was good at maths and liked science?

Whichever has the easier journey

I'd choose based on commute and whether your DD is likely to make friends that live geographically nearby or not,

Both schools are lovely. Does your DD have any friends that will also be going to either school?

There is a possibility some of her friends may go to JAGS but not Woldingham to my knowledge.

I've heard some quite negative stuff about the new head at Woldingham, from friends whose daughters go there. Apparently he's making the religious side of it a much bigger thing then it was, before. I think the old head was really well thought of, just something to bear in mind if your looking at both.

I would say that they are very different schools ! JAGs is day, more urban setting (great facilities for a london school) very academic and from what DDs friends that go there tell me very Alpha! Interestingly the old Woldingham head mentioned in the post above is now the head of JAGs. She was really well thought of at Woldingham and all the parents loved her but apparently not as popular at JAGs? A number of DDs friends have left Jags since year 7. It’s a great school but definitely not for everyone.
Woldingham has the most amazing setting. Beautiful country side, great facilities and you can board or flexi board. DDs friends are happy there. I would say it probably is less pushy academically (not a negative thing by the way…just depends what you are looking for!) it is true that the new head has had some criticism from parents and girls for “being too catholic” Having said this I have two DDs with lots of friends there who are all happy and stayed on for 6th form.
Honestly from my experience you could not have picked two more different schools so really does depend what you are looking for! Did you not get a very different feel from the open days?
(Disclaimer…no DD at either so no direct experience just lots of friends with DDs at the schools in the older years)

@Lunaverde

I would say that they are very different schools ! JAGs is day, more urban setting (great facilities for a london school) very academic and from what DDs friends that go there tell me very Alpha! Interestingly the old Woldingham head mentioned in the post above is now the head of JAGs. She was really well thought of at Woldingham and all the parents loved her but apparently not as popular at JAGs? A number of DDs friends have left Jags since year 7. It’s a great school but definitely not for everyone. Woldingham has the most amazing setting. Beautiful country side, great facilities and you can board or flexi board. DDs friends are happy there. I would say it probably is less pushy academically (not a negative thing by the way…just depends what you are looking for!) it is true that the new head has had some criticism from parents and girls for “being too catholic” Having said this I have two DDs with lots of friends there who are all happy and stayed on for 6th form. Honestly from my experience you could not have picked two more different schools so really does depend what you are looking for! Did you not get a very different feel from the open days? (Disclaimer…no DD at either so no direct experience just lots of friends with DDs at the schools in the older years)

My DD really loved the environment of Woldingham - it seemed so peaceful. She did not see much of the working school due to Covid. JAGS was very hands on and my DD loved the enthusiasm with which they were teaching sciences and art. JAGS is better for distance and I think some of her friends may go there. - although this does not seem to be a concern for her. I think she is happy to start afresh and discover new opportunities. She has her heart set on Woldingham due mainly to the lovely environment.

@Ruby1001 please may you let me know what you decided for your daughter and how is she getting on? Thank you

JAGS - apparently new Woldingham head very Catholic and changes afoot

She passed 11+. Sent her to a Grammar School.