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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Views on WHS (vs KGS)

10 replies

AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 25/02/2023 07:32

We are deciding on whether to accept an offer from WHS or KGS. DD seems not bothered by the co-Ed vs single sex (and we, as parents, can see pros and cons). Both academically strong and down to earth. We prefer the WHS curriculum and their positive encouragement of extra-curricular and logistics work much better (25 minutes on public transport). We found KGS a tad warmer, making more of an effort to engage during the admissions process and like their maths reputation (DD's favourite subject) and strong art department. Logistics do not work so well - 45-50 minutes on tube and train.

Any direct experience of one, both or even having made this decision.

OP posts:
redrobin75 · 25/02/2023 08:37

Logistically if your dd likes sport how practical is it to drop her in Thames Ditton every Sat am (for KGS)?

Onedayatatime22 · 25/02/2023 08:42

I don't know the schools but for me a major consideration when choosing sec schools was thinking about it as a school for dcs at 15/16 yrs old... not just aged 11/12! Kids change so much in yrs 7-11. Think about socialising with school friends after school and at weekends, independence etc as well as engagement in and travel to school events.

Original poster
AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 25/02/2023 08:45

@redrobin75 Good point! Thanks for flagging. Thames Ditton is some 30 minutes drive away (not a particularly sporty girl but likely to want to participate). 45-50 minutes by public transport.
WHS sports grounds are a 10 minutes drive away (25-30 minutes by public transport).

OP posts:
Original poster
AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 25/02/2023 08:52

Onedayatatime22 · 25/02/2023 08:42

I don't know the schools but for me a major consideration when choosing sec schools was thinking about it as a school for dcs at 15/16 yrs old... not just aged 11/12! Kids change so much in yrs 7-11. Think about socialising with school friends after school and at weekends, independence etc as well as engagement in and travel to school events.

They are both in 'town centres' so socialising after school will be rather similar. WHS is closer by so most of the other DC will live also closer by to where we live, making weekend meets definitely easier. With KGS, some of her friends might end up being quite far away (1 hour or more by public transport) given that we are further away and their catchment area.

OP posts:
woohooho · 25/02/2023 09:00

f you can't decide I would go for the easiest journey by public transport every time.
I have a DD at WHS but also really liked KGS so not being biased!
You could also be at the school quite a lot for concerts, drama, a host of other things etc so an easy journey is good for everyone.
The girls can also pop out if they eg stay late for a rehearsal and Wimbledon is quite a nice place to be- bit smaller and manageable than Kingston.
Bigger pool of girls to make friends with as well.
But both great schools- can't go wrong with either!)

Original poster
AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 25/02/2023 09:07

@woohooho thanks for this. Did your DD join in Y7 and, if so, how easy was it to make friends? Or, if she was there for the junior, did she gain new friends from the group of girls that came in? My DD is rather sociable but might be the only one from her prep joining and I am very aware that 40 pc of the girls come from the junior and quite a big number from The Study.

OP posts:
woohooho · 25/02/2023 09:17

AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 25/02/2023 09:07

@woohooho thanks for this. Did your DD join in Y7 and, if so, how easy was it to make friends? Or, if she was there for the junior, did she gain new friends from the group of girls that came in? My DD is rather sociable but might be the only one from her prep joining and I am very aware that 40 pc of the girls come from the junior and quite a big number from The Study.

She joined in Y7 and was the only one from her primary and didn't know anyone. No problem making friends etc and all the Junior School parents were very welcoming etc.

Original poster
AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 25/02/2023 09:18

@woohooho Thanks, really useful (and reassuring) to know.

OP posts:
Crosswordace · 25/02/2023 09:22

Go for WHS as it’s nearer to you. The journey times make a huge difference and you won’t regret it. They are both good schools and if you have no preference for coed/single sex, a decision on the commute times is a no brainer. Remember as parents you will have to do this journey countless times too!

Bobbybobbins · 25/02/2023 09:34

If you like both I would go for the nearer option

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