Kings College or Kingston Grammar

[tabbycat4321]

Need some help picking between these two schools. They are both great schools, but for those of you who had to make a similar decision please help with your pros and cons. Our boy is a little on the sensitive side and most likely wouldn't be top of the pack at KCS. Is it really a hothouse? Super pressured? Thanks for any insight, this is a great position to be in but we really want to make sure we make the right decision.

Isn't the KGS closing date today?

It was noon I think

Yes it is. Complicated situation and still need to decide between them! Thanks

Hi @tabbycat4321 - we had the same decision to make and decided on KCS in the end. DS sounds similar to yours, in that we doubt he will be top of the pack.

We loved Kingston Grammar, so it was an extremely difficult decision. In the end, it came down to logistics (KCS is nearer), the on-site facilities and the very positive feeling we got at the KCS offer event.

DS really liked both (as did we), but ultimately preferred KCS. Hope it is the right decision for us.

Good luck with making your decision and perhaps see you in September!

Just to add - I was also worried about it being a hothouse, but i didn't get that impression from the staff and pupils. It sounds like they are challenged in a measured way - at least I hope so!

DS is at KCS currently. All I can say is that he loves the school. DS is shy, sensitive and doesn't like to stand out - KCS suited him down to the ground as some of the other school definitely had a 'alpha male' mentality. They get a big workload but the teachers are excellent and really care about the boys. We haven't had any negative experiences there at all. DS is now in Sixth Form.

We had the same choice and went for Kingston Grammar, where our DS is very happy (currently in year 7). Ultimately swayed by co-ed, a question mark over change in head (who hadn’t started - or had only just started - when we were making the decision), and wanting our DS to be in a less hot house environment (our DS is academically bright but doesn’t work well under too much pressure). Our DS preferred KGS and it seemed to fit him better as a person and if I’m honest us as a family. I will admit it was difficult to turn down Kings for pure ‘prestige’, and I’m sure our DS would have been happy there also.

con of KGS is that the sports fields are off site; pro is excellent pastoral care; masses of co-curriculum (but Kings will have that also) and just an all-round lovely school, with a strong focus on kindness and inclusiveness. They have a particularly strong drama department (which I didn’t realise until we were there!).

KGS doesn’t offer rugby (either a pro or a con depending on your view!). Main winter sport is hockey.

Excellent choice to have!