Sevenoaks vs Caterham

[numptynoodle]

Just that really, we have Year 7 offers from both. DD is very mathsy so we're worried about the IB but know that's not necessarily a decision for now. Sevenoaks involves less of a commute. I think if Caterham were in the doorstep I'd go for that as my sense is that it's a bit gentler and has a more innovative approach to learning but the long commute puts me off...

I couldn't make the coffee mornings as I was working. What did they say?

Anyone decided yet? We're going for Sevenoaks...

I will for 1st March as I am more keen on outstanding state school compared to Pvt .
results of outstanding grammar schools are better than Sevenoaks n city of London

Out of interest, what are you basing that on? Henrietta Barnett was the only grammar in the country to outperform City on GCSEs last year .

@overcote i m basing on latest reports n school newsletters . hbs results are not that great tbh n I think with their catchment rules n ofstead report (status now good not outstanding) I think it’s going for further fall .

please see the link . Also st olaves this year sent 40 to premium university so their numbers are rising

www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-oxbridge-files-which-schools-get-the-most-pupils-in1/

OK, so that link's looking at Oxbridge numbers. I looked at overall % of 9/8/7 GCSEs last year, so they're different measures. (TBH once you get to these sorts of levels, you're kind of splitting hairs once you start considering the difference between 98% and 95% or whatever, and I think there are much more important things to base your decision on than small differences between results - but I was interested, given you raised it.)

@overcote how come gcse result of a school be better n but not so favourable outcomes for uni ?
I think gcse/a level results n uni admission success rate all should be in synch.

gcse results tables can be but misleading as they all have a slightly different criterion to compare . as some tables are based on year 7 entry to attainment at gcse n others as how many scored higher grades etc etc …

so if inner catchment kids get in because of distance n not purely Marks then those kids growth cones across as higher attainment compared to a bright kid

i would use uni success rate rather than gcse . as a kid getting into best unis would have done well both at gcse n a levels

There are loads of factors that might affect university destinations, not just results. Strength of the HE department. Extent to which the school is hell-bent on getting Oxbridge offers (do they try to influence which courses kids apply to to increase offers, or chuck all their sixth formers at Oxbridge in the hope that some stick). Number going to the US instead. Any impact of contextualised offers. Etc.

Totally get that .

our son about to join Sevenoaks this Sept23 , where can we read comments about school ? What we knew so far is that impressive Avg IB scores so any more comments on Student's life side would be useful. THx u

thank you for sharing good report.

What year are you joining @appleth?

Hi @numptynoodle DS will join this Sept'23. Have u made decision yet?

We love Caterham, it's a fantastic, supportive school.

@appleth we are joining this year too. Are you going into year 7 or 9?

Yr9 @numptynoodle. And you?

Year 7 for us