KGS v Reed’s

[Isa112]

We’re deciding between these two schools for my son. There are obvious differences such as co-ed v single sex, location, transport and on-site facilities, and academic results. Would be really grateful for any insight from parents with experience of these schools, that might help us make our decision!

DS is at KGS - anything specific you want to know?

One of the big pluses from our perspective is that the kids all travel by public transport so much more flexibility if they want to hang around with friends after school. No trekking though muddy woods or being reliant on a coach!

Yes, there's not the convenience of having sport on site but that doesn't have a huge impact, they still do loads of it! Although no rugby, which you would get at Reeds - but you do get rowing, so just depends on your child.

We've been very happy with the school, it's given DS plenty of opportunities and we like the fact it's coed. But happy to take questions if there's anything that's worrying you!

What is your son like? I’ve reviewed both schools for the good schools guide, maybe take a look there, ultimately both are great schools so beyond logistics, it’s about him & which will suit his character best.

The sports offering and locations are so different, have you visited the KGS sports ground in TD? If you make a list of differences based on sports, travel time and meeting up at weekends with friends it should help.

Happy to answer any questions about Reed's but the two schools are quite different for the things that you and previous posters have mentioned, so will depend on what would suit your son most.

Also happy to answer questions about Reed's. Re transport, it's worth noting that the school buses depart at 5:30 in the afternoon, to make it easy for the boys to stay for extra-curriculars. My DS now gets the train from Oxshott on days when he doesn't have any activities, but when he was younger used to stay until the bus left to hang out with his friends.

Thank you. Can I ask how it works with clubs? Are all sports clubs after school at Ditton Fields? I understand there’s an issue with using flood lights and activities are at various other venues in the winter? How does that work in terms of getting back home-is any transport back provided?

Also, am I right in thinking the core sports from first year are hockey, football and cricket? At what point does rowing become an option. Is there an option to drop hockey at some point or does everyone play throughout?

We love the public transport options, but worry whether the urban site feels a bit cramped and whether there’s sufficient space for breaktimes etc?

Could I ask how you’ve found the pastoral care. Is it a nurturing school, is there good support if children do find themselves struggling academically in any subject?

sorry for so many questions!

Thank you, great suggestion. I’ve had a re-read of both reviews. Agree that they’re both great schools. We’re struggling to decide on which we think would suit him better as we like different aspects of both schools. And trying not to be too swayed by league table positions! And don’t have a feel for how fast paced the learning might be at KGS, which was our stretch school as such.

Thank you. Do all extra curricular activities finish by 5.30? Do most children end up taking part in activities after school most days? If not, where would they hang out wait for the bus-library, or are there are options? I assume the school day finishes by 4ish?

School day finishes at 3:50 and some boys run to Oxshott for the 4:00pm trains towards London. After school activities are generally 4-5pm (excluding some offsite activities like sailing and golf which have separate arrangements) so plenty of time to catch the 5:30pm buses. In years 7&8 boys are expected to do 3 activities per week but they are not always after school, some are before school and at lunchtimes. One of the three activities include a compulsory after school sports practice for your year which is a fixed day and is for whichever the main sport is for the term - Rugby, Hockey or Cricket. As far as Rugby is concerned, boys can choose non-contact.

When not doing activities, there are a few spaces to do prep although I think my son likes to hang out outside in the better weather. The grounds are so nice.

We are very happy with our choice of the school. The Head is fantastic.

Most after-school sports clubs are at Ditton. Netball is sometimes on site. They do take them elsewhere (Surbiton, Esher) sometimes, but it doesn't really make a difference as a parent, as there is a coach back to school.

Games is hockey or cricket at Ditton, depending on the season. There are optional football, netball and tennis clubs and house tournaments. Sometimes football is played by everyone in PE, which is split between on site and at Ditton. Rowing is from Year 9.

Not sure if hockey can be dropped at some point. Possibly once rowing is an option, but we haven't got there yet!

I haven't heard any complaints about space at break time. They're often in clubs anyway! They can go onto Fairfield (with a teacher supervising) in spring and summer.

My impression is that the kids are academic and the pace is reasonably fast, but it hasn't felt pressured or competitive. It has a kind and nurturing feel.

Thank you so much for your reply, that’s really helpful😊

Thank you so much, that’s really helpful. Do you happen to know how many games sessions and PE sessions there are timetabled each week. And if the only curriculum sports for games are hockey and cricket, does that mean that there are two terms of hockey and one of cricket?

I assume the school sets for maths? Are any other subjects set by ability? Are you aware of whether there are clinics/support if children are struggling, especially in any of the core subjects?
Thank you x

DS at KGS in Year 7, and have to say we have been delighted with the school. He also had offer from Reeds, and has lots of very happy friends there too, but for our DS KGS has felt like the right choice. I think there is a broader ability set in the yeargroup than perhaps you may think, and that they cater really well for both ends. There are lunchtime clinics in most subjects for anyone who needs / wants them. They set for maths from the spring term of year 7, and then set for science for GCSE, but that's all. The pastoral care is exceptional, the Head of First Year is absolutely amazing I cannot say enough good things about her. The settling in process was also brilliant - we had about 5 different settling in days before September so DS started feeling like he knew the school already and had friends. Everyone seems kind, zero tolerance of any bad behaviour (not that we have heard of any). I cant comment on the sport as DS is deeply unsporty, but that's also been no issue for us at all and hes thrown himself into all of the other clubs and societies (of which there are loads). Happy to answer any other questions, but overall can't recommend the school enough!

Others have replied for me, but yes, hockey can be dropped as they go up the school. I can't remember if it's third or fourth year, but some do football instead, or rowing. Two teams hockey, one term cricket.

PE and games are once a week each, games always being the double period after lunch so they get a decent session and then go straight home from Ditton (or coach back to school if that's easier).

Just to say sport at KGS has a lot more football in it now - for this years yr 7 boys it is autumn term one session hockey, one football, spring term one session hockey one PE, and then cricket in summer (not sure what the second session is in the summer). There is after school training for all who want it in hockey and football for both terms and fixtures in both sports.

Rowing is a term in the third year and then becomes highly optional.

I’ve two children at KGS and am delighted with it - echo the praise for the head of year 7 above. She is incredible.

Thank you, that’s really helpful information.