John Hampden Grammar School or Royal Grammar School?

[ProvincialLady1]

I'm looking for advice on which of these to put as first choice for my DS, I know both are great schools, and RGS is more oversubscribed I think so he may not get it as a first choice anyway, but wondered if anyone has first-hand knowledge and can advise?

DS has autism and ADHD so I'm particularly interested in what the SEND support is like, and how accepting they are of 'quirky' children. Also, my impression is that RGS is quite pressurised and full-on with homework - is this more the case than with John Hampden? I'm a bit worried RGS might be too much to cope with. He's very bright but not necessarily hard working and finds it difficult to focus, at home especially. He got just over the pass mark if that makes any difference- no tutoring but we did do some practice most days over the summer holidays.

Thanks in advance!

I'm talking about the schools in High Wycombe, in case that wasn't obvious!

Think about where you live too and where his friends are going?

RGS is more rugby orientated and JH is football (if your son is interested)
RGS also has CCF

I believe (from asking my relatives who have boys there) that JH has a bigger SEN department

Have you been around either school yet, or maybe posed the questions to the schools?

I think most of his friends will be going to the Aylesbury schools, as we've moved quite recently, so unfortunately that's not much of a factor.

I've been round JH, which seemed very friendly, but we were given a tour by a couple of students who were a little light on information.

CCF is something he'd really enjoy, and he'd like to do Latin as well, which I know JH don't offer. He'd prefer rugby over football too, but isn't overly sporty tbh. And I don't think those factors would outweigh him potentially feeling as if he's struggling to keep up with the workload and expectations.

I just have the impression that overall JH is more inclusive and supportive? I don't know if that's a fair assessment though!

If he has qualified in the 11 plus & he prefers the things on offer at RGS put that first, I'm sure he won't struggle, it's the same curriculum , after all. How far away are you? Is he likely to get a place based on previous allocations?
Putting it first won't affect his chances of JHGS if he doesn't get in, as his second choice becomes his first.

My DS is at RGS. He has ADHD and is definitely what you may describe as 'quirky.' RGS has been great for him; he's not at all sporty but has still been involved with lots of different aspects of the school (the music department in particular is amazing and very inclusive), he also enjoys Warhammer and DandD clubs and has made some like-minded friends through these groups.

SENCO very responsive and have been happy with the support.

@ProvincialLady1 my ADHD/ASD DS started at RGS this September - I will DM you as I don’t want to post a lot of outing information publicly.
In summary, I chose RGS over JH.

I have 2 sons at John Hampden and I have been really impressed, they are really strong on pastoral care and really helped one of my son's with a bit of anxiety.
They don't have loads of homework and tend to give them the holidays to relax.
There are a lot of options for other sports other than football - rugby, cricket, squash etc to name a few, I have found it to be firm but fair and know from other parents they are supportive of SEN children, my impression is that they are trying to create well rounded men and not purely focused on their academic achievements.