Twyford or West London Free?

[Catim]

For those who are familiar with both, which secondary school music aptitude place is better? One at Twyford or West London Free? Both schools have similar discipline and academic levels. The campus at Twyford is obviously more spacious... It's hard to decide between the two schools...

Which one has the most convenient commute? If there is nothing else between them I would go for that. Saving time on commuting can be a benefit as less tiring and leaves more time for other stuff.

These are both good schools so I don’t think you can go far wrong with whichever you choose.

I should say that I don't have first hand experience of either, but have looked around both schools as a prospective parent, so in case it's helpful this is what I thought. As you say both are excellent choices.

Both music departments are very strong - although the brilliant WLFS Director of Music has recently left, which means the incoming one is untested, plus their Deputy Director of Music recently moved to Twyford. The Twyford music department does have amazing facilities and space for a state school - 2 music tech suites, a recording studio and multiple practice rooms, WLFS can't compete on that front. Twyford's larger student and teaching body probably means there are more extracurricular music options to cater for them too.

I know Twyford is classed as a specialist music college - does that mean extra budget? But WLFS definitely makes a thing about putting music at the heart of everything. If league tables are your thing - then Twyford has a long-standing record of being in the top performing schools in the country, WLFS is creeping up the charts, but not beating them yet.

Definitely a tricky decision. Good luck with your choice!

I think both are good from what I've heard. A close friend has kids at both (they took a music place at WLFS) and they're actually looking to move to Twyford now. The music offer was really driven by the Head of Music who is leaving and that, and a few issues she's had with the school (not teaching but facilities and space) means she wants both at Twyford. GL!

The Twyford music program is really excellent. Both schools are similar in terms of behaviour policy and academically Twyford is slightly better. Unless WLFS is a significantly shorter commute I would go for Twyford.

One other thing to consider is that Twyford won’t admit younger siblings unless you are Christian with 5+ years of weekly attendance so if you have multiple children then you might want to accept WLFS. It’s not a garuntee for WLFS but it’s much more likely than at Twyford which last year only accepted weekly Church of England kids with the right postcodes, non CofE Christian’s (Catholics etc) didn’t even get in if they had siblings at the school.