TOGS or Sevenoaks

[Bythesea99]

Has anyone been in a position of choosing between these 2 schools?

Obviously we will have to see how the exams etc go but if anyone has any up-to-date opinions we would be so interested to hear. She is not sporty or musical but is sociable. She is quite lazy!

My DD is at Sevenoaks. If your DD is lazy it may not suit as it's really a school for self-starters. It has a lot of support in place but it's not a school where the kids are spoon-fed. I can't comment on TOGS though.

There are loads of clubs at Sevenoaks, about 100 I think, something to suit everyone and the children are encouraged to do at least three. My DD is very involved in the drama department. I've been astonished by how much she wants to get stuck in, because the other kids do. It's quite normal to volunteer for things or try new things, which we've been really pleased to see, teens can be hard to motivate!

They're both fully IB schools (I believe for TOGS).

Obviously Sevenoaks is co-ed, that's likely a significant consideration.

We had a similar choice 7 years ago, Sevenoaks or Newstead Wood. We chose NW for three main reasons, proximity, cost, DD’s preference.

At sixth form we applied to a few independents but she wanted to stay as she loved it and was thriving. She had an offer from Westminster that she turned down in favour of staying at the grammar. Now in Y1 at Cambridge, happy, well adjusted and thriving, so something went right without all the expense.

DD wasn’t lazy though, very self-driven, she had friends who needed the extra help and did fine at the grammar but also those she was at primary with who stayed on at the GDST school seemed to do more hand holding and it worked for them but would have driven DD crazy.

I think it can be hard to judge and is a very individual choice. What did your daughter have a preference for OP? In my view DD did best at the school she chose as she was more invested.

Thanks for your replies @EffysMum and @PettsWoodParadise

I am writing on behalf of a relative who asked me to get the MN wisdom.

So, as it is not my daughter, I will say that I think she is extremely intelligent and perhaps only lazy because she has found primary school a walk in the park. She has been told not to bother with any tutoring for 11+ etc.

The family can comfortably afford Sevenoaks but would obviously rather save the cash if the final outcome will be similar/the same.

It feels like Sevenoaks might be more challenging as it does get better results? But then is she more likely to get into a good uni if she hasn't come from an independent school? Crystal ball please.

They have looked round both schools and like both! TOGS would be more convenient but not by much (about 15 minute drive versus 25).

You must be very proud @PettsWoodParadise good for her!

My understand is that the "state schools do better getting kids into uni" line is a myth. There has been a correction in recent years (in the past approx 60% of Oxbridge kids were from private schools when only 7% of kids overall went to private school) but the private schools still do very well. Also, unis don't necessarily look well on grammar schools for the same reason.

Secondly, results aren't the be all and end all of a good education. In my career, the super-academically high achieving people aren't the ones who have been successful, it's the people with social confidence, a breadth of experience and great verbal communication skills who have done well. I think these skills are easier to acquire in a school with lots of opportunity to try new things (eg clubs, sports etc) and the opportunity to contribute in smaller classes and get involved in the wider community.

That being said, is it worth the extra cost? That's something only you can decide!

We're in this position too. Sevenoaks, TGS or Walthamstow Hall.

DD10 is attending the post-offer morning at Sevenoaks today. Any other kids there now?

We have reserved list 🙌🏻 my son’s first choice school

Now offers are out - any further thoughts?

My niece is at Wally and it's a very different school to Sevenoaks, but great in its own way.

It's smaller, the teachers really know all of the girls. It suits girls who maybe fit the teen girl stereotype (I hope that doesn't upset anyone). House music involved TikTok style dancing for all, they have dance warm ups in hall, the girls all have long hair and like fashion, Space NK etc. They are really encouraged to try new things and to be open to new ideas so the school does counter that to some extent.

My niece is a very girls' girl and LOVES it. They've had no issues with bullying but I have heard there can be some tricky dynamics - what my niece would call the "drama" girls.

The outcomes are really good, they get the girls into some great unis when you consider that it's not an overly academic school to get into.