Gordon's School - length of days

[subculturalgirl]

Hi, we're looking to move house at the moment and (as we're wanting this to be a long-term home), thinking about schools in the area. The nearest school to where were looking is Gordon's in West End, Surrey but I read that the school day is 8.40am-7.30pm and that is mandatory. I realise that part of that is prep, so for homework, but still that seems like an incredibly long day. And then with the Saturday mornings, he would be at school for the majority of his waking hours during the week... I'm not sure when we'd ever see him, or when he'd see friends outside of Gordon's, or have time to just chill out and rest! Does anyone have kids there (day board basis) and how do they find it?
Thanks!

Is the house very, very near to Gordon's? The catchment for day boarders is tiny.

Not Gordon's, but a similar school day set up. I found prep being done at school a massive boon. No more arguments, no whining, no panic learning before breakfast...

We only lived 15 mins down the road but this is a big reason why my brother ended up boarding weekly. He loved it.

How close to Gordons are you going to be? As someone else mentioned, the catchment area is tiny and houses which are likely to be in the catchment command a considerable premium because of that. So unless you are very certain that you will end up in the catchment, worrying about the length of the school day may well not be an issue. The simplest solution if you don't want your child out of the house for such long days would seem to be to apply to other schools in the area?

If you don’t get a place at Gordon’s, your choices are independent or the state schools are Collingwood College in Camberley or The Winston Churchill School in Woking, or, possibly, Woking High. These require public transport if you don’t want to do the school run.

I haven't got a child there, but I have sat on several Appeals there a few times. This school has a very particular culture and ethos, and part of that is the long days and Saturdays even for the day pupils. You really do have to buy into what the school is offering because it is so unusual from a normal secondary.

It is hugely in demand though, and as other have said the catchment for Day boarders is small - last year the greatest distance offered was 1.249 km.

I have two children at Gordon’s. Staying for prep until 7.30pm isn’t mandatory, it is just encouraged. Most year 7s do it for 2-3 times per week and leave at 5pm on other days. But as others say, it’s extremely beneficial that they complete all homework on site….no cajoling required.

My two found the routine tiring for the first couple of weeks, but they quickly got used to it. They have both been very happy at the school. The set-up with day houses means they get a lot of opportunities to play during the day (pool tables, games consoles, football on the field), we find it’s very much a “work hard, play hard” culture. The extra-curricular programme is excellent, too.