Reigate Grammar, Caterham, Worth, Dunottar, Lingfield, Ardingly

[AgnesVanRhijn]

We are in the process of thinking about senior school options for our son, who is currently in year 4.

The above schools are probably our nearest/most easily accessible but I know they are all very different. I doubt any of them will tick every box but most of them will tick most boxes, so we may register with them all.

However, if there are any we can rule out^^ from the off it would save time and money So if anyone has any recent experience of them, either pro or con, I'd be grateful to hear your opinions.

Our boy is quite bright (c. 125+ CAT scores), but a bit academically lazy; he's enthusiastic and has a wide range of interests but none he completely excels at or is passionate about. He can be quite sensitive so we'd want somewhere genuinely nurturing but that would get the best out of him. He has not enjoyed contact rugby so far so I'd be interested in whether it is compulsory at the rugby-playing schools I've listed, or whether there is the possibility of doing a minor sport instead.

Thanks in advance!

Caterham like prospective students to have 'something' about which they are passionate. Rugby is definitely the premier sport for the boys there and is unlikely to be optional at Years 7 & 8, at which point all students are expected to attend Saturday fixtures.

Forgot to add that a child of a friend of ours was accepted at Dunnotar, having failed to get into Caterham. His friends were very pleased with where he has ended up and have found it very nurturing.

Don't think rugby is compulsory now at C, certainly not year 9 onwards. Weekday after school turnouts are encouraged but not Saturdays, although that can be a social opportunity for parents. the range of sport on offer including hockey and basketball has expanded in recent years.

With those Cat scores it is really between C and RGS.

C only has rugby for one term each year and not compulsory on Saturdays if you don't want it to be. In year 7 and 8 this year for various reasons some boys have opted to train in lacrosse with the girls and the girls have trained for hockey and cricket with the boys.

I would agree with score like that C or RGS would be best fit.

That's really interesting, thank you. Do you think RGS or Caterham would be nurturing enough? I was a bit wary that they might be a too large and intense, and therefore somewhere requiring lower CAT scores might be better for him, so he's not too much of a small fish (as per another recent thread).

Depends what you call intense? I think C has a wider ability range than RGS and a more diverse community.

If it’s any help, our son will be joining RGS this year. We were lucky to have the choice between Lingfield, Caterham and RGS, opting for the latter.

We really, really liked Lingfield but the journey was simply too far. I liked the headmaster, who comes across as free of pretension, whilst also maintaining a healthy suspicion of how ridiculous the 11plus entry process is. Lingfield is a more peaceful campus and has all the sports facilities on site.

Between Caterham and RGS, it felt like a coin toss. I personally like the towny feel of RGS but others are certainly won other by the grander Caterham campus. I think it’s fair to say that both are more academically minded. I’m acutely aware that for all the talk of pastoral care at RGS, which I’m sure is excellent, you only have to look at the results to see the expectations. Likewise Caterham.

Just go and take a look, see which one feels right. Also factor in the journey. Reigate can be a right bugger in terms of traffic.

@LIZS I’ve been thinking about what you said about it really being about C and RGS. Is that because the other options would not get the best out of him so we shouldn’t even consider them? Or just that he could get into C and RGS?

If he is academically bright but prone to putting in less effort the general standard of the intake may mean he coasts.

Thank you. Food for thought

Resurrecting my old thread now we have offers! In the end we have 11+ offers from Ardingly, Worth and waiting on Caterham. Anyone with inside knowledge?

Really like the feel of Worth but worried it’s not as good a school for the money as Ardingly or Caterham. Doesn’t get as good results but is that just because it’s not as selective, or is the teaching not as good?

Also like the idea of everyone starting fresh at the same time rather than joining when lots of the kids will have come up together from the Prep at Caterham and Ardingly. But happy to be convinced otherwise.

It’s been hard to get a sense of the demographic at each school to
see what the fit with our family would be, are they all similar or are any more aspirational/posh/down to earth than the others?

Really appreciate any advice! 🙏

Caterham is the more academic. Do you want A levels or IB?

I have no idea re A-levels or IB. If they offer both then I suppose the choice of either when the time comes is good.

Ardingly and Worth offers IB or A levels, Caterham A levels only

My nephew and niece go to Caterham. They are not particularly academically gifted though pretty good at sport (though not that difficult in my opinion when you're just competing within the school or a few other schools). I never, from looking at them, would have thought it's very academic - nor from meeting their friends. My kids will likely get just as good/ better grades (and in one extra subject) in a fairly deprived school (not London so we don't get the extra funding!). C just seems to be for those who can afford it and pass their 11+.

Lingfield college offer B Tec’s (similar to state schools.)
if your child is willing to work hard, Worth, and Caterham are great choices as they push their students to obtain good A level grades for universities.
If you have an academic child then Reigate Grammar is a fabulous choice.
If you want your child to be more practical (eg plumber/ electrician) then Lingfield College is your best option.

Its certainly worth obtaining your child’s CAT or STAT scores to see which school is best.

In my opinion if your child has a CAT score of 120 + then RGS is your school.
Caterham and Worth from 100 to 120

Lingfield College from 80 +

The average CAT score for state schools is 100 and private schools is 110.