Commute from Cheam to Wilson's

[Emotionalday]

Hi everyone,

My DS has cleared all 3 grammar schools in Sutton, and we are wondering what a typical commute from Cheam to Wilson's School is like?

What is the fastest/easiest public transport route in reality? Google Map shows it's 1 hour. From your experience, does it get easier when the boys are older?

I remember reading somewhere that there used to be a company running coach service, but it seems that they have stopped now.

That sounds about right I think. Depends where you are in cheam - you could get the train to waddon and walk I think probably. Or Sl7 and swap to 157. Thing to beware with buses is that at busy times you may not be able to get on - my daughters have that problem and we live not far from Wilson’s.

I wouldn't attempt the commute from Cheam, WGS just doesn't have any benefits over SGS that could justify the extra travel time. The exception I suppose might be if you lived right on top of Cheam rail station... but a journey involving two buses each way for seven years would be dismal. I know it's only c5 miles away, which doesn't sound too bad at all, but it's important to consider the practicalities.

Thank you. Yes I image during the peak time, buses will be full of children travelling to school in the Wallington area. We are considering changing bus in Sutton Town centre or calshalton high school. Perhaps it will be slightly easier? Any insights?

I agree. Between Wallington and Sutton, we will go for Sutton simply because both schools are good, but Sutton is so much closer. How about Wilson's? DS has his heart set on Wilson's, and I'm just a little concerned about the time he has to spend on commuting. Does the school justify the longer travel? (We are in Cheam village.)

I do think Wilsons is surely a step above though? Also benefits with amazing grounds - Sutton seems very cramped. Wilsons seems to have kids travelling for miles and miles - Cheam really seems not too bad!

@Emotionalday not sure I would recommend a change in Sutton for Wilson’s. It means swapping to the 154 so you need to walk down the high street to the bottom. The 154 is also not the most reliable. I must admit I am not sure how busy they are going towards Wilson’s from carshalton as we go the other way

Wilson's is a great school (both my sons went there), but in your place I'd go for Sutton Grammar. The journey would be so much easier and better for your son's overall school experience. Buses in London can be really slow.

Commute to SGS would be so much easier for us, but compus environment in Wilson's is better - bigger open green space, which DS really values and said that he would be willing to trave long hours for. Perhaps we should do a bus journey with him to see how he feels.

How did your DC find Wilson's? Is it extremely strict with a lot of pressure to perform?

My son gets the train to wallington and walks to Wilson's from there, so not relying on the bus in heavy traffic.

There isn't really that much pressure from the school. That's a bit of a myth about Wilson's. I think the teachers realise that the boys already have enough/too much pressure from the parents. They encourage extra curricular and sport. Behaviour is very good. The boys do well because they are smart and encouraged by the school. It's not some miserable "hot house".

Yes, it probably would be a good idea to try the bus journey at school times.