Dr Challoner's vs Watford BGG/GGS vs Parmiters?

[Delectable]

Which of these are your preferred and why?

[Dido2010]

Travel times, convenience, safety for each school?

[Delectable]

Trying to get info to inform house move. Equally able children.

[Gazelda]

I don't know Dr Challenors. But both grammars have good reputation, as does Parmiters.
Personally, I prefer mixed sex schools.
In order to be allocated a place in GSs/Parmiters you either have to live right on their doorstep, or get a place through the South West Herts Consortium entrance exam (either academic or music). Competition is very fierce.
To get in on distance, houses are (generally speaking) nicer around Parmiters.
But the grammars are more central to Watford and easily accessible by public transport.

[Delectable]

Parmiters seems a smaller school. Need to look into the criteria for Watford. I hope the distance isn't too restricted. Would prefer somewhere with a higher probability of entry which is one of the reasons we liked Buckinghamshire which is a lovely area but a trek to get into London from.

[thing47]

For Dr Challoner's GS you need to be living in catchment for some time before you can go there. I'm a bit out of touch these days but I believe it's at least a year.

In terms of travelling into London, Amersham to Baker Street is 45 minutes, Watford to Baker Street is 40. There are more Met line trains to and from Watford, but against that Amersham has the Chiltern Line into Marylebone.

[LucyWhipple]

Easy to get to London from Beaconsfield or Amersham. Challoner’s fine and other grammars to choose from in that area too.

[LucyWhipple]

How old are DC and how certain are you they are grammar material? Ie do you have time to make the move & do the prep? As I wouldn’t choose any Bucks non-grammars .

[thing47]

Amersham School is over-subscribed these days. 12-15 years ago it was awful but a great HT and really strong SLT have turned it right around.

[nonamenoclue]

@Delectable

Parmiters seems a smaller school. Need to look into the criteria for Watford. I hope the distance isn't too restricted. Would prefer somewhere with a higher probability of entry which is one of the reasons we liked Buckinghamshire which is a lovely area but a trek to get into London from.

Allocation distances & scores are here:
www.parmiters.herts.sch.uk/page/?title=Cut%2Doff+scores+and+Distances&pid=108