Reigate Grammar or Caterham?

[AnotherSurreyMum]

Have been to see both of these, and am very torn/confused:

• similar very good academic results
• Caterham seems your 'classic' independent school - large grounds/facilities, good discipline, polite children
• RGS seems a bit more 'towny' - doesn't really look like an independent school (more like my old comprehensive!) The kids aren't quite so polite, but seem confident and successful?

Seems a bit scruffy, and I've herad lots of reports of stuff being nicked around the school?

DH & I marginally preferred Caterham, as it seemed more obvious what you were paying for?

DS1 favours RGS as it is likely more of his friends would end up there I think.

Any experience/views?

Gosh - I hadn't thought about Saturdays

Is Saturday a schoolday at Caterham then? Or is just if you play in one of the teams?

reluctantsuburbanmum - well done to your DS too! Where do you live - are you in/around Reigate? IS the bus an option for you?

I need to look at the bus timetable, but I think there is only one each way which DS could catch, which is obviously a bit limiting.

Like you though I'd like to 'widen the horizons beyond Reigate' - my feeling is that RGS is still quite 'parochial' really.

Am in Reigate, off Blackborough Road (about five mins walk from RGS!), so yes, bus an option - it leaves from Croydon Rd at 7.45 and returns at 4.15 but there's a late bus at 6 as well. Thought I'd make having a place on the bus a condition of acceptance! Don't think Saturday is a school day but my DS is into his sport.

Maybe if we do end up sending DSs to Caterham we could get them together in the summer so at least they know someone? Like your DS, most of my DS's friends are going to RGS.

Ladymuck - thx for suggestion of looking at homework on website...think it shows flexible thinking that there's no homework on Weds - I would definitely prefer DS to be doing sport and having a night off! (And me!)

Gosh RSM - I bet we know each other! Do your initials relate to you DS's current school by any chance?

I think I'm going to have a hard battle to get DS/DH to seriously consider Caterham.

How are you going to decide?

I bet we know each other too - this is Reigate after all! (Or we'll know someone in common.) Children not at RSM - hadn't thought of that when I chose nickname! We're going to try and re-visit schools next week and make the decision then...DH likes Caterham a lot but prefers convenience of RGS though ultimately he will probably let me decide as I'm the family taxi...

Best of luck with your decision - hope it goes well for you.

Is there another official open day, or are you just going to visit?

I feel like I know RGS fairly well - have been round about 3 times now .

Caterham less well. I've always felt that I was being 'marketed to' at Caterham - I'd like to see a 'normal' day.....

RSM - ha! I just had a sudden thought... you're not KF are you, by any chance??

DH away a lot so we're going to have to make an appointment to go when he's here. There is definitely another open day at RGS next week, not sure about Caterham. I agree that Caterham does much better on the marketing. RGS seemed a little take it or leave it to me. Clearly the Caterham strategy worked, even though I too would like to see a normal day!

Oh...I've been rumbled! You are definitely in driving seat here as I have no idea who you are!

Hilarious. CB's friend? Husband who works in Wales? At same school as my kids?

How about a bit of non-verbal reasoning?

C is to B as M is to O.......

I do have a friend, CB, but not sure you'd know her.

Husband definitely not in Wales.

And , erm... "might be".......

I get the impression that there are frequently fixtures at the weekend. Certainly since Jan ds1 has had 3 or 4 Saturday fixtures and years 7&8 seemed to be playing at the same time. Certainly if the children are willing they seem to get used. The norm seems to be that the lower teams are mainly included on Wednesdays, though we did have one Saturday where all boys had to turn out. But this is prep and if anything I would expect the Senior school to be more demanding.

I'm not Reigate based, I come from Croydon direction along A22, or more commonly along Hayes Lane. There is a back road into Harestone Valley Road which comes out near Merstham - no idea what the fastest route from Reigate is. Drop off in the mornings is easy if you aim to be earlier than 8:15. The prep school drop-off is between 8:15 and 8:30 so everything slows down a but then. There is a lot of traffic at 4, so an onetime quick pick up probably isn't possible, though some parents meet their children a bit further away from the school.

From the experience of friends in previous years you shouldn't have a problem taking another visit to the school next week. It is a common query, and I know a couple of parents who are planning to do this.

Another Surrey Mum...are you a book fan? Or JN? I'm enjoying myself far more here than I thought I might...quite see why your DS got a scholarship if your clues are based on non-verbal reasoning! DS and I have been sitting gormlessly scratching our heads over that.
LadyMuck...thanks for all this info...it's really helpful.

Finally worked out your clue...brilliant! Let me know which way you leap!

RSM - (bit worried I kept you up late though...)

I'm sure Foxy & Flem would be quite happy at Caterham....

I think there are quite a few parents thinking along similar lines/ with a similar quandry... perhaps we should have a 'mass rebellion' away from RGS this year. We could probably all fill our own minibus!

Hello
I am new here. I hope this is helpful...

I know 2 teachers and several children at Caterham and I wouldn't recommend it. There have been a lot of problems with bullying and also with drug taking. My friend was crossing the road there last term with her DD and a parent nearly ran her over, he bellowed out of his window "get out of the way, don't you know who I am?". My teacher friend said this is v typical of many parents there and the children are mini versions of that! One child just started is already having lots of sickness because girls in her class have been stealing from her and tricking her into giving them things. School doesn't offer much support.

There is also a terrible traffic problem - if you intend on driving and have a job to go to this might be a big consideration!! Worth visiting at drop off time to see for yourself!

DD went to Woldingham, I would rate this v highly and also might be worth considering Alexandra and Albert if you don't have a budget for Caterham or RGS.

Notre Dame in Lingfield is excellent, I know a couple of parents there and they are very happy all round and the children are v happy.

Hope this helps :)

Jane - that's interesting, but you do sound rather as if you have a personal vendetta AGAINST Caterham! Is there more you want to tell us?

We will be considering schools in the near future for our DC. You mention Alexandra & Albert - I keep hearing interesting reports of this school - do you know anyone with children there - what's it like? Seems to be a school doing the 'right things' - it's Added Value scores are v. good...

lol Jane. I seriously doubt that some Woldingham parents aren't much similar, or their offspring, it kind of goes with the territory sadly. Ironic that you recommend Cranleigh on another thread since I've anecdotally heard similar (drugs, bullying etc) of there, yet it is still held in high regard. Unfortunately it is possible to cite such examples from a whole myriad of schools, private and state. We know a number of families , including teachers, who have been more than happy to send their children to either school for secondary. RAAS is an improving school but you need to live almost on top of it to get in as a day pupil, and it is hard to get in other than at 7+ or 11+, although I gather their day/boarding system may be changing this autumn.

Reigate Mum, hi there, he he he..... yes reading it back it might sound like that, but I was only trying to be helpful. As I live quite nearby and know teachers/parents there I guess I might hear these things more than other schools and form a stronger opinion - when a teacher says they wouldn't send their own child there you have to wonder!

Many years ago I visited A&A with a view to sending my own son there when my husband was made redundant and we were considering alternatives for him. As it happened it was not neccessary but I was very impressed, I think it is a strong alternative for people in the area and often forgotten - quite competitive entry though. Go and visit! see what you think. :)

Lizs, regarding Cranleigh, that was just a suggestion because I heard they have lots of bursary and scholarship schemes but I don't know too much about it. I haven't lived nearby to it so I don't have the same kind of insights.

You're both right though, all schools have an underbelly - I think the best advice is to really think hard about your childs disposition, what is right for some is not right for others. Some thrive in a competitive academic setting - others are utterly miserable and do better in a smaller, gentler and more creative setting.

I went to a well regarded independent girls school myself and some of the 'extra curricular' activities would certainly frighten the horses! ;)

It's

The majority of Caterham school teachers do seem to send their children there, so I suspect that Jane's teacher-friend may be fairly identifiable. And I presume that Mr Bishop lost his staff discount when he moved to be Head at Trinity yet his child is still at Caterham.

Every senior school has to deal with bullying and drugs - any that say they don't are lying. Most of the local independent schools have had pupils suspended/excluded this year (including both Caterham and Trinity) so I don't think that the issues are being ignored.

Woldingham is not for us (being a family with boys) but I love the fact that the daygirls can have their laundry done. How I would love to avoid the muddy games kit.

Interesting thread, we would prob be looking at RGS/RAAS or possibly Caterham for our dc - way off yet but you know how it is!

Anyway, can't really help with the school choice yet as mine are younger but I just wanted give my input on the journey. Mine are at OGS which is just round the corner from Caterham and I drive there and back every day from Reigate (sometimes 2/3 times!). I also know quite a few people in the Caterham area with older children at schools in Reigate who do it the other way round. I do spend a lot of time in the car but it is doable imo. Ds has to be in by 8.40 and I often don't leave Reigate until 8.20/25 and can still make it (just!). It's a 20 min journey, 15 if you put your foot down/no traffic. Obviously traffic problems on the M25 can have a knock on effect but I only ever really get delayed coming out of Reigate, after that you are going against flow of traffic and generally ok. I go through Merstham and up Rockshaw Road.

With regards to the schools I have a slight preference for RGS at the moment - but this is just anecdotal as I have heard some negatives about Caterham (as well as many perfectly happy there) and none about RGS - but then I don't really know any RGS families yet and know loads of Caterham ones with ds being at a "feeder" prep. My friend lives nearby and apparently the traffic directly around the school is terrible at drop off and pick up so that is something to consider (most people I know there move to be walking distance) - she gets stuck in her house in the mornings. I was at a house nearby recently and a parent queued for pick up across the driveway of the house I was in and wouldn't let me out! I do get the impression there are some very self-important types there and do know people that have taken children out for that reason or because less academic children were perceived to be not getting much/any support. I guess there are always people who like/dislike any school though for a myriad of reasons.

FWIW I am hoping RAAS continues to go from strength to strength as I have a few kids to get through secondary school and so it is an attractive option financially!! (we are within the magic 1 mile catchment for flexi-boarding)

Have you seen this thread here FT Top 1000 schools

Reigate looks like it just pips Caterham on the FT rankings, but it's very close....

Was just looking at that too, same last year as well. Prob nothing in it at that level but I did have the impression rgs more academic. Again, just impression at this stage. How does RAAS compare with exam results, uni admissions?

What, in reality, are the scholarships like in terms of percentage of fees? Websites say up to 10%, 25% etc but i constantly hear on the grapevine about people paying nothing or nearly nothing for both schools? Met someone today at RGS who said his company pay most of fees?

Hi Preghead - you must live close to us, as we are also in the catchment for RAAS
(We made an application there as an 'insurance' option - just in case anything went wrong, or we had a sudden family financial crisis or something!)

I think RGS is slightly more academic, although the I'm not sure the FT charts reflect this? There seem to be more A*s at Caterham than at RGS?

We've been talking to lots of friends with kids at RGS, and also those who know people at Caterham etc, and I think we are going to head to RGS.
I just don't fancy commute to Caterham. Even if DS got the bus (which he could do) there will always be days when he's going in late, or misses it, or has to stay late etc etc. DH & I both work, and it will be a nightmare to have to be standby taxis!

One of my very good friends with children at RGS says she thinks RGS recruits more academic kids in the first place, and then they continue through at high academic levels. She thinks Caterham 'adds more value' to get bright children to attain higher grades, but she also thinks the pressure is greater at Caterham? Another friend said she thnks all the scholars are in the same class at Caterham which creates a lot of pressure, and a bit of a 'hot house', whereas at RGS they are spread across the classes (and the classes mix much more anyway).

The scholarships are not worth much in the grand scheme of things. The RGS one is worth £1000 per year (not term) and hasn't changed for many years, so is diminishing every year in real terms.
DS's Caterham scholarship is 20%, which is rather tempting (and works out about 2.5 x that of RGS) but the cost of the bus would wipe out a big chunk of that!
I think people who are expats, or relocated by their company often get school fees paid as part of their allowances .

RAAS has only just opened a 6th form, so no results for it yet. In the past kids have gone to Reigate College which features about 1,200th in the tables! .
The GCSE results from RAAS are not bad (National average?) but are improving rapidly. Definitely worth keeping an eye on.