Challoners vs RMS

[FloraDT]

Hi there. We live in Bucks and have a daughter starting secondary school in September. She is very academic receiving a high pass in her 11 plus, but also an academic scholarship at RMS. We like both schools for different reasons. Because my daughter is academic, I’m unsure whether she would be challenged at RMS. Does anyone have any experience of this? I know RMS is well rounded but I’m keen to understand what the experience of the more academically able girls might look like?

Our daughter also has an offer at RMS and we really like the school. Have you discussed this with the head of the senior school and the head Mr. Carson? From my experience of them I would hope and expect them to give you an honest insight and if not, then you would be able to read between the lines I'm sure. Will your daughter's interests and talents be nurtured at both schools? What is the most important thing for you in terms of the outcome of her education? Only you can know the answers to these and which school lends itself best. I don't know anything about Challoners but have spoken to several parents of girls at RMS and all are very happy with the school. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck with the process, I know it's stressful and am in your shoes now!

Thank you - it really is a tough decision. I have requested to speak to the school

Good luck! I would be interested to hear how you get on if you are happy to share.

Have you been to look round both schools @FloraDT? And has your DD expressed a preference either way? Where is she at primary school, as it might make a difference in terms of what she is used to?

I know both these schools really well and your OP sums up the differences between them. Challoner's is definitely pushier, and generally speaking stronger in humanities than in maths and science. RMS is more rounded and slightly more relaxed academically, but that said 2 great friends who have or recently had DDs at RMS have been happy with it and the ones who have left have gone on to universities such as Bristol, Nottingham and Manchester.

Great to hear your insight - do you know from your friends what the culture of RMS is like? Teachers, the girls there etc? Did they find the girls to be friendly and welcoming?

Thank you for coming back to me. She is currently at a small independent school but hasn’t expressed a strong preference for either. Her friends are going to challoners but she is also very passionate about art and there will be more opportunities for her in that at RMS. However, she likes to learn at a fast pace so I’m worried that the pace at RMS might be a bit slow for her. As bookworm mentioned , do you know much about the culture between the girls at both schools ? Thanks again

Hi OP, bumping this for you as I also have a DD who has an offer for RMS for Y7 in Sept and we are weighing up whether to accept.

would be really interested to hear about the culture at RMS, whether girls are generally friendly, kind etc and if the school genuinely manages to help girls find and cultivate their passions and interests!

I have a friend who works there and who says it is a really lovely school but I would like to hear from current parents!

If you look at GCSE results, 7-9 grades are achieved by a far bigger percentage at DCH. Double for maths for example. So I definitely would look at pace of learning and realistically, how many dc will be like her? I have seen dc at similar schools who are bored when they are not extended so I think you need to be very clear about teaching style and sets at RMS. I see RMS allow dc to choose 3 “arts” in y9 but I assume they’ve done broader tasters before that. Arts results look decent enough at DCH with options available.

Lastly: are you stretching for fees? Even if they are reduced? If you have any concerns, is it better to save the money?

Hi all! Has anyone had any further insights? OP did you manage to speak to anyone at the school?

Hi there - yes I spoke to the school and the message was that whilst the school does have a range of abilities, as the girls progress through the school, they get streamed for all core subjects. In addition, with all the clubs they offer, girls tend to find other girls with similar interests quite easily. It does feel like a really warm place

I have 2 daughters at RMS one who is dyslexic and has really struggled and the other one who is academically high achieving. I would say that if your child is on the higher side academically, they will be more then fine. There’s a scholar programme that sees them attend a few extra classes and cover a wider range of subjects. They will also be expected to attend certain clubs that appeal to their awarded scholarship. My daughter is also extremely sporty so she is stretched with fitting everything in. There’s a good range of sets often a set 1 a/b , 2 a/b and so on. It allows for the stretching in a set. They are also given more work if needed within the lesson. As a parent, I do feel that I do need to stay ontop of what’s going on especially in regards to homework and movement of teachers. We do have a few changes to staff throughout the year. We have had a change of head in the last few years Mr stepped sideways and Miss stepped up and in my opinion was awful. However, Mr is back from September 24. There always seems to be a rumour that RMS isn’t academic, but I really challenge that and would say if your child does struggle slightly it’s not the place for them. Our environment is more laid back then DC and there’s not the competition to have your child at tutors in
order to gain the edge or send them off to university at age 13. It comes down in my opinion to the type of child you have and their needs now. It’s a long school day or can be and they have a lot to pack in. Journey time adds to their day and homework In years 7, 8 comes thick and fast so definitely something to consider if your further away. Clubs aren’t mandatory but when your paying though the nose you want to make use of everything the school has to offer. There’s also a major clamp down on rules and regulations. I’m unsure so far if this is a good or bad thing. I did also see art mentioned in the thread. My older daughter has chosen Art as one of her GCSE options. Our art department blows every school away, as believe me, I’ve just looked for sixth form. It’s impressive and has a lot to offer. We also have an artist in residence, something new but girls seem impressed. We also have a gallery which was added last year and is used for displaying all years work for all departments and if quite fascinating to see. Anyway a lot to consider. Good luck.

Thanks so much for your reply and for all the info. We also really loved the art department! May I clarify what you meant by change of head? The current head has been there for a long time now. Thanks!

@bookworm111 he has yes, but he stepped sideways 2 years ago to work on school
funding and the then deputy stepped up to head of secondary. In my opinion she has been awful and I felt the school lost its direction. She is now leaving in September and Mr Carson will come back as not only over all head, but back to hands on head of the upper school. I only wish it was sooner!!

I had 3 daughters who all attended RMS. The last leaving last year. They were all different abilities, but the school worked for them all. They are brilliant at adapting to the individual. I really rate the school and really rate Mr Carson too. Good luck with your choice.

Hi - I may be too late on this one but for other RMS prospective parents - you simply cannot compare public exam results for these two schools. Challoners is highly selective & only ever gets brainy girls through its doors, whereas RMS has a very broad range of abilities walking into the school. It caters brilliantly for learning difficulties and offers excellent programmes for the less academic - the blended / overall comparison is therefore misleading. Smart kids do very well at RMS and the scholar programme is excellent. It’s pretty remarkable in stretching kids who start at different places in the ability spectrum. Mr Carson has definitely moved it away from the rich / thick stereotype it once had (I think I read that on here before we picked it - “clotted cream”) - he wants smart kids and he gets the best out of them.

Thanks all for the valuable feedback.

Thank you @HermanHermit for your insight - really helpful.

Hi have you read the below. Take the scholarship at RMS.

Hi @Pinkiesnails sorry which thread are you referring to ?

There’s quite a few threads on the two schools recently if you do a search. I have 2x daughters at RMS. 1 extremely bright and does fantastically at the school. It’s as challenging as you need it to be and she will join a scholarship program and lots of extra clubs to keep her busy. If you have been offered a scholarship then I definitely would reach out and take it with both hands. Also worth looking at RMS sixth form results in comparison,

@FloraDT are you happy to share what you decided on in the end? I can imagine it's been a very stressful process!

i have had 2 daughters here. One got all 8 and 9s in her gcses and the other is still there. The school has a fantastic feel to it and the belief that it isn’t very academic is a poor judgement to make. It doesn’t push the girls to the point of burning out. Girls have a fantastic time here and it will support them in whatever their strengths are. The happiness of my kids is number 1 and they’re more than happy with this school. I have nothing but praise for it. Also depends on your daughters. If they need pushing or if they can do everything on their own?

Hi @Pinkiesnails - you talk about your more academic daughter - I'm agonising over choices between St Margarets in Bushey or RMS for my dyslexic (et al!) daughter. She keen on the mixed school, but it looks like RMS provides very good structured SEN support as well as top quality art & DT (which my daughter is keen on, along with science). We're also nervous of the amount of homework at both schools! RMS is a bit of a commute, but she could possibly board. Would you mind giving your views on RMS for a SEN child?