Simon Langton vs The Judd

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Hi Everyone,
I am wondering if there is anyone who might be able to give some personal experiences of these two schools. Currently we are in Ashford and our DS scored well enough on the 11+ to have an extremely good chance of being accepted to both these schools.

We would probably move to be closer to either school some time in the first year of year 7 so the commute isn't a factor. My impression is that the Langton is a bit more quirky with a greater focus on originality. The Judd has incredible academic results and is a bit more traditional. The Langton would have an advantage that he would have some friends from primary school there.

Currently we're leaning towards the Langton but I'd love to hear from anyone with some personal experience, both good and bad.

Thanks so much.

Langton is not a super selective. It simply has an enhanced pass mark. We live 9 miles from the school, ds had full marks in the Kent Test, and he still only got in off the waiting list.

Thanks for your reply. We're actually in a village on the Canterbury side of Ashford within the 9 mile catchment so at least based on previous years DS should get a place if we put it as our first preference. (Knatchbull is closer but we didn't like it for DS when we looked around).

My son has got the required marks for Simon Langton Boys. We are currently in Surrey, but planning find a house closer to the school before 09th Dec cutoff date to update the application with Kent address. Any thoughts on how closer we must be to the school to be sure in getting admission? From previous posts 9 miles seem to give only a lean chance.

@AV1985 Last year absolutely everyone within the 9 mile catchment with the extra 20 marks got a place. Boys up to 7.25 miles away with a pass but not the extra 20 also got a place. We live only just within the 9 miles and most years kids from our village go. Obviously it's not guaranteed and there are rumours that there's a large birth year (but apparently more girls than boys). They are apparently VERY strict on catchment though so if you're even a meter outside the 9 miles you have no chance (I think a few have got through on appeal but they were in the process of moving closer and might have had other arguments to support their appeal).

@GrammarSchoolQuandry thanks much for this info, thats at least assuring if we manage to move closer to the school.

‘Last year absolutely everyone within the 9 mile catchment with the extra 20 marks got a place. Boys up to 7.25 miles away with a pass but not the extra 20 also got a place.’ - what is your source of information? If it’s legit, sounds brilliant!

@AliceR1

thelangton.org.uk/app/uploads/2022/10/Admission-Policy-2023.pdf

The admissions policy lays out how places were allocated in 2021. Given places were allocated from all categories, even those lower than cat 5 which is the relevant one, then all applicants in cat 5 were offered a place (assuming they hadn't put another school higher on their CAF and qualified for it)

It’s secondary school offer day next Wednesday, stress levels rising AGAIN lol… DS scored over 20pts above threshold but I’m still stressing!

My son is in Year 9 at Judd. What do you want to know? I can talk mainly from Student Support perspective as my dd is autistic and spends the majority of his time not in lessons in Student Support (which is excellent)

Hi came across this old thread. How is Judd as a school in general? Is there a balance between academic and other activities, sports music etc? Is your DS happy in the school?

@expatinmysJudd has recently had an ofsted inspection with all categories outstanding. It is indeed a very good school and our son has been happy there, both on academic front as well as music and sports.

https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/23/118843