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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

St Gregory Catholic School In Tunbridge Wells

8 replies

Lulu317 · 22/08/2022 15:50

My DD is going to be year 6 soon and I m looking for non grammar option for her, we are not faith family so I m sure we got no chance for Bennett. So I m considering St Gregory or Skinner Kent for the first choice, any comment on these schools will be very helpful. Thanks in advance🙏🙏

OP posts:
Basherbasher · 23/08/2022 22:08

It used to have a good reputation along with Stocky in Maidstone as being a successful faith comp. Unfortunately, as with all non-grammar schools in Kent, since the changes to admission rules in 2006/7 these schools are now secondary mods in all but name.

We reluctantly send DS to a grammar in the area.

Original poster
Lulu317 · 24/08/2022 10:02

Basherbasher · 23/08/2022 22:08

It used to have a good reputation along with Stocky in Maidstone as being a successful faith comp. Unfortunately, as with all non-grammar schools in Kent, since the changes to admission rules in 2006/7 these schools are now secondary mods in all but name.

We reluctantly send DS to a grammar in the area.

Thanks for your feedback, my DD will sit for 11+ but I'm not positive about it, so need to look at some non grammar options now as plan B. In terms of academic and pastoral care, is St Gregory a good choice? What about Hillview and Skinner Kent? Thanks in advance🙏😊

OP posts:
Basherbasher · 24/08/2022 15:13

is There any option to move away from the area? Or to pay for a modest non-academic independent school?

yikesanotherbooboo · 24/08/2022 15:21

St Greg's still has a good reputation for pastoral care. It is a Catholic school .You need to visit the schools.SKA has definitely been on the up with a lot of investment but it is absolutely true that the presence of grammars and a lot of private schools skews things.In the past quite a lot of DV went to the NearbyEast Sussex comprehensives. They are more genuinely comprehensive but it is possible that they are more oversubscribed now with changes in populations.

Original poster
Lulu317 · 24/08/2022 18:58

Basherbasher · 24/08/2022 15:13

is There any option to move away from the area? Or to pay for a modest non-academic independent school?

We just bought a property in TW so we will not move at least in the coming few years🥲

OP posts:
Original poster
Lulu317 · 24/08/2022 18:59

yikesanotherbooboo · 24/08/2022 15:21

St Greg's still has a good reputation for pastoral care. It is a Catholic school .You need to visit the schools.SKA has definitely been on the up with a lot of investment but it is absolutely true that the presence of grammars and a lot of private schools skews things.In the past quite a lot of DV went to the NearbyEast Sussex comprehensives. They are more genuinely comprehensive but it is possible that they are more oversubscribed now with changes in populations.

Thanks for the information, what about state schools in Tonbridge such as Hillview Girl? I found lot of good comments about this school in mumsnet.

OP posts:
Moosey1969 · 28/09/2022 18:36

I think the best thing you can do is look round them all, probably now! I wouldn't rule Bennett out, I know people who got in despite way down the criteria. If she passes Kent Test and you're in catchment, TWGGS is a great school. The comp situation is dire in TW with SKA being the only one that's not faith or grammar. It's actually pretty poor. Good luck!

Original poster
Lulu317 · 19/05/2023 21:38

Moosey1969 · 28/09/2022 18:36

I think the best thing you can do is look round them all, probably now! I wouldn't rule Bennett out, I know people who got in despite way down the criteria. If she passes Kent Test and you're in catchment, TWGGS is a great school. The comp situation is dire in TW with SKA being the only one that's not faith or grammar. It's actually pretty poor. Good luck!

Thanks very much for your information, my girl finally made it and will be starting year 7 in TWGGS, hope she will enjoy the new school soon 😊

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