Wilson/ Tiffin /Top Grammar - Moving from Independent

[MeAmy]

Hello, Happy new year to all!
My DS completed 11 plus exams 1st and 2nd stage for top Grammar school (Wilson, Tiffin) and exams / interview for top independent schools (KCS, Hampton, Trinity). He is now in an independent school. He is a very bright boy and more likely to get offer from all these schools. We know it is a long term financial commitment to send DC for independent secondary school. Therefore we are also thinking of grammar school specially Wilson and Tiffin. May I get your advise please on these two top grammar schools- their recent academic achievement, extra curricular activities clubs, participation in different activities etc. It will be great to know if any one of you moved DS/ DD from independent school to Wilson / Tiffin school or girl top grammar school within last 3 years and how do you feel about these schools. We are in dilemma situation and really would like to have your suggestions. Thank you so much. 🙏

You need to go onto elevenplusexams.co.uk in the forum Surrey section where there is a detailed thread along these lines.

I can assure you that in this part of middx / Surrey many many parents will move their dc from prep schools to Tiffin etc and decline their private secondary places including massive scholarship offers, the gap between these schools is tiny apart from the cost and some sports facilities. Many will also accept the private place and stay on the grammar wait list until they get an offer even if this means paying the autumn term fees to the private school but not attending.

My DS is at Tiffin. We turned down top privates with scholarships when he got a place. In reality we really couldn't afford private and because we own our house (which is our pension as we are free-lance) he wouldn't nor shouldn't have qualified for a bursary, but even with academic and music scholarships they were really out of our reach. I'm so glad we made that decision. The school isn't without it's faults, but I think every school will have these. But, My DS has done well there, has a nice friendship group and is happy. And we aren't in debt from the fees. I have 2 other DC's who are/were at a good S London comp and in many ways, I prefer this school academically. Strangely the music department is far superior at the comp compared to Tiffin and Tiffin is rated for its music. It just depends. But, Tiffin has done well by him, still.

In Sutton and Kingston areas, it is not uncommon for pupils at independent primaries to aim for a state grammar rather than an independent secondary. As to how highly selective indies compare to highly selective state grammars – well, this is a question which can lead to heated debates! For families who are fortunate enough to be able to choose, I think the general consensus is that it depends on the specific indie and specific grammar, and it depends on the child 😊 Personally, I am a proponent of state education but concerned at the increasing budget cuts.

Both top grammars and top indies deliver great academic results, so you may want to focus more on exam topics, teaching style and support available. (eg. I know a parent whose son gave up their grammar place because, even though he is excellent at maths, he wanted more focus on humanities and preferred the offering at the indie in that respect. I also know a family whose daughter went to KCS because of IB). As for extra-curricular activities, indies tend to offer more but it depends on what your child is interested in, and you can always complement with clubs outside of school. And of course, there are other critical aspects to consider when visiting and researching schools: ethos, communication, motivation methods, single-sex vs co-ed, commute, etc (eg. my Y6 son's top preference is a school that allows children to kick a ball around at lunch time - a key factor in his decision.) Good luck!

My DD is from state primary and she is likely qualified for one of the top grammar in London this year. But during the process I reflected and decided private is probably better for our circumstances.

One of reason is budget cutting in the public sector, another reason is that I don't think grammar school itself is the key ingredient of producing value added results - it is more about cohort ability and the inevitablely negative selection on the tiger family culture domination in the grammar school sector.

So if she gets one of the top choices she is sitting (finger crossed) we will no doubt going to private school. Good luck

@PreplexJ

I hear you fully on this. I am kind of in the same boat. My DS has got Hampton and Trinity.
Personally to add, the all rounder ability which a child gets ( intangible qualities - maybe like public speaking, begin confident in everything, Dramatic leadership) at Indie is better than at Grammar in general. There are always exceptions.

Academic wise - Both are equal
Diversity - Indies will stand out.

Financial saving - Grammar

Hard one to conclude. But what percentage of the kids who crack wilson or QE are naturally intelligent kids who will be good cohorts for our DS.
And how many kids will feel the pressure once the coaching and the strictness from tiger moms and dads die out . Maybe a small percentage,