Judd, Dartford, Beths or Chis & Sid?!?

[SecondaryConfussion]

DS got his Bexley and Kent results - he got top 180 in Bexley and 418 in Kent. That makes him eligible for a guaranteed place in Bexley and also OOC places for Judd and Dartford.
Now we need to decide which one to choose! I know it's an amazing problem to have, and we're very happy for him, but I do need some help deciding.

We live between Orpington and Petts Wood, so all schools will be a bit of a journey. Beths and Dartford have coaches, but I'm not sure how this works when the children have after-school clubs? He was very impressed by both Judd and Dartford, and Judd seems to be a convenient journey by train. Also, Dartford is the only one which is IB - would that rule it out for you, or put it on top of the list? I'm really not sure if being IB makes a difference.

He would like a sporty school and all schools seems to tick that box. But then he's football mad and most of these schools seem to be rugby focused, so may not matter!

I really don't know how to make this choice - help!!

TIA :)

I don't think it's as simple as saying one of these schools is better than the others. It all depends on how your child interacts with the school, how they feel about it, how much they accept the school ethos, what relationships they form, how lucky or unlucky they are with the teachers they get etc etc.

One of my dcs had a fabulous time at one of these schools, another hated it.

I know children who have been successful at all of the Bexley grammar schools and children who have not (including a couple of top 180 scorers). I also know a number of 11+ failures who have gone on to achieve exceptionally well academically.

Personally I wouldn't agonise over exam results, sports provision, type of exams etc - or believe the hype doled out on open days. I'd just go for the school that was easiest for my child to get to.

Hi! I'm currently a Year 13 student at Chis, having joined the school for Year 7 in 2017. From my almost 7 years of first hand experience at the school, I must say it is intense. There is a lot of pressure placed on you from the moment you enter in Year 7, with SLT being very strict with everything from uniform to lates. This does teach you discipline very quickly. Year 8 onwards is a lot better, despite the same sanctions being in place. This is because you are used to the school (as it is obviously a big change from primary!). I found that I made friends very quickly, likely helped by going there with 6 primary school friends, and the year merge together very well. Compared to most schools, the behaviour of students at CSGS is a lot better, helped by the sanctions placed on students from the get-go. Overall this helps with learning, and the teachers are always there to support you. The only downside is that Chis and Sid I feel doesn't produce the same results as other grammars like Townley and Bexley, and academic performance is quite average when compared to these. The facilities are dated (but are being upgraded gradually). I definitely feel the school would benefit from a wider range of extracurricular activities being offered, as those other than the standard rugby and netball are usually arranged by students and fall apart quite quickly. I have enjoyed my time at Chis, but all the same there have been many occasions in which I feel my learning hasn't been supported as well as it could've, or situations have been managed incorrectly.

@Notwithabargepole can I pm in regards to Judd school? Making a move that involves moving countries and relocating, so slightly worried when I found comments on this thread
@Gymginjim can I pm in regards to Judd school?

I see that the Tunbridge Wells Grammar school for boys doesn't get much of a mention anywhere on any threads regarding grammar schools, both the sevenoaks annex and TW one, does anyone have any info....

Please do. My DS isn’t there any more but have a friend who’s DC are and am hearing some awful stuff.

I'm sure you recognise @ninetieseyebrows that different people have different experiences of schools? Probably if I said which one my DS went to you may have viewed it and thought it was terrible?

But certainly yes in my circle that school has a reputation and not a good one.

@Notwithabargepole and anyone else with experience at the Judd, would it be possible for you to put this on thw public forum or DM too. We are in the same position ad national offers day is looming. We have other options I'm terms of independents. Woukd appreciate your views

I’d be really grateful for insights on the sixth forms at these schools - especially Beth’s and Chis & Syd

I’m not adding what I know to a public forum as it’s identifying for the pupils that are still there. Feel free to DM me.

Dear all,
We are in a very similar situation and wondering if views have changed in the last 2 years of this thread.

DS has got 405 in Kent and we are considering the following order - 1. Judd 2. Chis and Sid 3. Dartford Grammar School 4. Skinners

He is not in Top 180 in Bexley, and will not get Bexley Grammar School. We were not to keen on Beth's as DS loves Cricket and they don't do much of Cricket.
We liked Judd and Chis & Sid Open day but missed going to Dartford Grammar school.

We have had very good review of Dartford Grammar school, but the coach travel is tricky from Petts wood? Does any of your children do this commute - Petts wood to Dartford and do the children cope.

Please can you share your thoughts on these 4 schools, considering we are in PW.

Thank you.

I can only tell you about Judd but DS is very happy there, great for academic and sporty boys but plenty don't do sports and thrive. They play a lot of cricket in the summer term but also do it year round with Invicta Cricket if you sign them up for it

Thank you - we are hoping to make the Out of county cut off.

Congratulations to your DS for his amazing score!

Our sin goes to Judd and is currently in Year 8 - he absolutely loves it! The commute from Petts Wood can feel a bit hard at times - especially in winters and when they have to carry their cricket kit in the summers, but overall they learn to cope with it.

I have friends whose children go to Chis and Sid and they're very happy too. Although commuting to Chis and Sid doesn't sound easy - so please do look into that. Getting to Judd is quite straightforward if you can get to Orpington station, and which Chis and Sid looks closer on the map, the journey via bus and train seems harder.

Thank you very much for sharing - sounds very promising. We are hoping he makes the cut off.
Do they not have an option of leaving the cricket kits in school?

Yes - with Chis and Sid, friends have told us that it would be PW-Chislehurst by train and then the SL4 bus from there which is a bit complex and hence have them down as #2.

No Judd doesn't have any lockers. It annoying and I don't know why they don't have them, but it's something the boys just get used to

Ah the lockers. There's too many boys for too little space apparently! So yes they need to take everything back home each day

Also, Chis and Sid has an earlier start I believe, so you have to leave home very early to get from Petts Wood/Orpington.
Sorry, it seems like I'm trying to put you off from choosing Chis and Sid... That's definitely not the case. These are just things I've picked up from friends. Their children are very happy at Chis and Sid - just getting there is a bit hard.

Thank you.
I am not left with too many options - I have checked the coach schedule for Dartford Grammar school and it leaves PW by around 7:20 AM for a 8:30 AM start.
I believe Skinners again is a train to Tunbridge Wells, but a 20 minute walk to the school after that.
We are hoping to get Judd, and have put that down as our first option - but are definitely confused with what should be the 2nd, 3rd and 4th options.

All the best with whatever you decide! Fingers crossed you get your first choice!

Thank you very much 🙏🏽🤗