Wallington County grammar school v/s Royal Grammar School(RGS) Guildford

[PB1210]

Hello , I wanted to check if anyone can guide me which is a better school in terms of academic and sports facilities like Football. Location/ cost no issue.

Wallington County grammar school v/s
Royal Grammar School(RGS) Guildford

I have visited WCGS and live locally. It has an excellent reputation for academics, extracurriculars and pastoral care. Their core sports are rugby and cricket (no football) and they are inclusive.They have a good-sized sports hall and cricket field. There is a gate opening onto Beddington Park which they also use to play sports.

I only know RGS by reputation: it's also very academic. You could check league tables for details but results are probably not a key differentiator between the 2 schools. How they compare in terms of teaching, support, pressure, progress and all-round development, I do not know. I have never seen RGS but a Surrey indie will probably have a very different feel to a London state grammar. (In terms of space, demographics, facilities, upkeep of buildings, staff-pupil ratio, etc.) I hope you will have the opportunity to visit both schools to give you a much clearer idea of which one would be the best fit for your son.

Good luck!

Thanks a lot for your reply @1sttodie , I haven't seen Wallington and I asked them to give me a tour which they said No . Is there certain perception of Surrey Independent schools. What do you think is the right choice if you would have to take a decision ?

I don't know anything about Wallington Grammar.

RGS is a fantastic school - top academics, good ratios, nice buildings, good facilities, lots of ex-curr opportunities and good pastoral care. I knew it better 25 years ago when I had a lot to do with it, but I have a few friends who send their children there and they are so pleased that they did.

If it were an option for my child I'd go for it, but I'm pretty sure it'll still be out of our budget when he reaches that age!

These are quite an odd couple of schools to be comparing. Purely because of location the demographic and feel of Wallington is going to be very different than if you were comparing it say to Trinity for example which would be a much more 'normal' comparison.

Saying that it really depends on your finances and what you're looking for in a school. Certainly locally Wallington doesn't have the reputation of Sutton Grammar or Wilson's and probably for good reason.

@omnishambles If finance is not an issue and demographic is also kept aside. Which school has better A level and GCSE results

@PB1210 thankfully that's a question you can answer by googling. Mostly the children that get into those schools will do well where ever they are though. I just can't imagine a parent who is interested in RGS will also be interested in Wally Boys. Wally boys is quite gritty in comparison.

@omnishambles are you trying to say Wallington is a better ?

No! It is better than the local comps and obvs much sought after but if the money and journey isnt an issue I would take RGS.

I agree with @omnishambles , I can't believe that many parents would consider both schools.

@omnishambles thank you

@redrobin75 i have choose between these schools and hence a confused parents

Is it for year 7 or sixth form or another entry point as the year 7 state places haven't been allocated yet?
If you want to move to Guildford and can afford the fees then choose RGS for year 7 otherwise wait until you get a state place next week and decide then.

@redrobin75 its Year 7 and there is very high chance of getting Wallington so trying to make up my mind.

@PB1210 , why don't you try the commute this weekend or consider where you would move to for RGS. DS travel quite a distance to the school so from towards Godalming and over to Esher etc.

Well done to your son. To have passed WCGS and RGSG, he must be bright and have strong parental support - so can achieve highly whichever school he goes to. If you haven't yet, check out the virtual tour on WCGS's website.

We looked at both as WGS is closer to us but I have to say, I was not convinced about their approach or the selection of students. I would take RGS hands down. Just my opinion though and I acknowledge my own biases here!

@ttbn is there any specific you can share between WCGS and RGS

@PB1210 it was just the feeling around the school. Didn’t get the inspirational vibe and some teachers were new so I worried about staff turnover. But as I say, better to ask and get facts. Sorry don’t have much more than this. Good luck!

@PB1210 each of the Sutton Boys grammar schools have their own vibe. WCGS uses the same selection test as Sutton/Wilson.

I would not describe WCGS as 'gritty' or lacking 'inspiration'. Do the facilities compare to a private school? No, but can your DS receive a good education? Yes.

Well some don't @OnlyTheBravest I think that's the issue. I know first hand.

@omnishambles Can WCGS compete with a private school education. No. If you believe that WCGS is gritty then respectfully you have no idea what a gritty school is.

Come on now, you know I was comparing it to RGS not Raynes Park High or some other comp with a mixed rep. If you were considering RGS you are very unlikely to be happy with Wally Boys.

Wallington Boys is an excellent school. Brilliant academics and if your son is sporty it is a rugby school. Pastoral care is fantastic. Their 6th form is also highly sought after.

Too much sugar @ Whitgift @ RGS-- not real and something tells me they know but hey its good business. Not enough grit- there has to be the right amount of grit - IMOH (unless of course life path programmed already.

One costs a lot of money to attend, and consequently has loads of excellent facilities. the other is free, and does not have loads of excellent facilities. Visit them both, but ONLY if you can afford the fees. Your child will almost certainly be seduced by the fee paying school, and the freebee will feel like a disappointment in comparison.