11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi,

I would like a bit of insight on both the schools. We live very close to SCD. I want to know which school will be better for my DS. He still has to take the Buscks late testing exams in November. So results will not be out before CAF forms need to be completed. Did the tour of both schools. Both are v good schools. Assuming he clears the exam for Bucks, I am confused which school should I write as 1st preference. Chesham's results are better than SCD but SCD results are not bad at all. Both are great school. Is Chesham's education better ?

Thanks for help
confused mum

Surely they are both good schools. Which do you think would suit your DS better? You can only tell that by looking round, no-one else knows your son or his interests or strengths. If they are both good schools and you don't have any preference, choose the one which is easier to get to (he will have more local friends). I know it's a difficult decision, but no-one can decide for you. What sort of things are important to you and your son, rather than just "which is better?"? Chesham may get better results, but what is their baseline compared to SCD (I don't know the answer to that, I'm just saying the results aren't always what they seem). It may be decided for you if your DS doesn't qualify, anyway!

Not sure you are comparing like for like. Chesham is a grammar school that requires all children to take a test and SCD only has some 20 places that are based on academic selection. Therefore the cohort profile is different for each school. Best to look at progress and value added. But crucially it is whatever is right for your family. Both are outstanding schools with their own qualities and strengths.

They're both good, they're both mixed and they are similar sizes. Chesham Grammar is a great school but personally I wouldn't travel 40 minutes (in traffic) each way if Clement Danes is on your doorstep. Bear in mind that Chesham Grammar has a lot of children from the other side of Chesham too, going into the Berkhamsted area – thats quite a long way from Chorleywood for socialising or doing clubs after school/at weekends…

plantagenet wrote:Not sure you are comparing like for like. Chesham is a grammar school that requires all children to take a test and SCD only has some 20 places that are based on academic selection. Therefore the cohort profile is different for each school. Best to look at progress and value added. But crucially it is whatever is right for your family. Both are outstanding schools with their own qualities and strengths.

Might be worth a look:

http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/sch ... urn=137091" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/sch ... urn=136901" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chesham Grammar does appear to perform better over all (expected progress in English and Maths is worth looking at) but has a higher academic ability intake than SCD.

Thank you everyone for the kind and thoughtful replies. It does help me make informed decision.
My son has more interest in Robotic Science. The facilities at SCD were quite good for that. D & T depts were great in both schools. Have to admits that Chesham's was very big though. SCD were more modern! Chesham is definitely a bit of travel.