URGENT Dartford Boys or Judd

[Blanketonesie]

My sons been offered places at both Dartford Boys and the Judd school today and I’m struggling to make a decision. We’d have to move for either, but we were intending to move to a cheaper area this summer anyways. I have until 9am tomorrow to decide and I’m really confused. I know it’s the child that matters, he’s a very small, very curious, outgoing boy, youngest in his year, loves cricket but not overly athletic. Not sure where he’ll fit best. We’re from an ethnic minority and we’re immigrants, so I’d like him to be somewhere diverse if possible

I suspect Dartford would be more diverse than Judd

Judd is 57% White British, Dartford is more diverse
https://schoolsinfo.uk/school/136359#community

Dartford GS is a lot more diverse than Judd. Judd is in Tunbridge Wells which is a nicer area overall but more expensive for housing and for getting into London if that’s a consideration.

Thank you, we live in a really diverse but expensive part of south London now, so want him to maintain that. Does anyone have experience of either school?

I mean, diversity aside, just experience of the schools themselves

Judd has lower numbers of pupils eligible for Free School Meals (both lower than the national average as is sadly usual for grammars) and Dartford Grammar has higher numbers marked as persistently absent. Judd offers A Levels in sixth form and Dartford Grammar the IB, unless things have changed because of funding. Which is the easiest journey and which did your son prefer?

Judd is in Tonbridge, not Tunbridge Wells.

Dartford no longer offers the IB. It will be introducing a levels from September as no state school receives the funding needed for teaching the IB any more.

I’ve heard they will offer both?

Dartford Boys is a great school.
It is definitely more diverse than Judd

Europa, a state school in Oxfordshire, remains committed to the IB.

the potential change from the IB is leaning me towards Judd. Dartford will be a shorter train journey, but a longer walk tk the school which might not be pleasant in winter or in the rain. He’s a very enthusiastic boy but slightly small and young for his age, and the youngest in the year, so I’m worried about where he’ll be happy. The ofstead report notes there is almost no bullying at Dartford.

Worth checking whether they will still be offering the IB @Blanketonesie as a pp has indicated they may be offering both. If the website isn’t clear a call is worth it if it is a dealbreaker

Late to the party, but DS is a current Judd student. It is pretty diverse from what I can see from last year's whole school photo. My son's class is about 50:50 and has friends from all backgrounds.

Which school did you choose in the end?

both sound like really solid options so I don't think you could have gone too wrong either way! sounds like the IB uncertainty was the deciding factor, fair enough given how much that can matter for sixth form. would love to hear which way you went in the end and how he's settled in, always nice to hear how these decisions play out