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Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 12:15 pm
by tiger22
Hi all, I have noticed on these Forums that TWBG hardly gets a mention. I would greatly appreciate any advice or thoughts on this school. My son is well rounded, very athletic and also into music. He has passed the 11+ but I do not think the score will be high enough this year. Many people are going to be in for a big shock in March.

Re: Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 12:18 pm
by mystery
We were happy with it for someone who did A levels there three years ago. Stunning results.

Not sure I'm following what you are saying about scores.

Re: Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 12:19 pm
by tiger22
mystery wrote:We were happy with it for someone who did A levels there three years ago. Stunning results.

Not sure I'm following what you are saying about scores.
Thanks, mystery. I think the cutoff scores for Skinners/Judd are going to be a LOT higher....than last year.

Re: Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 12:49 pm
by Sennockianmum
I think it's probably worth waiting for the analysis on the spreadsheet to be done rather than catastrophising on this. In addition, not all the high scorers will be taking up the grammar places; lots do it for preparation for independent options; at least 5 children in our school took that approach.

Re: Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 3:18 pm
by tiger22
Sennockianmum wrote:I think it's probably worth waiting for the analysis on the spreadsheet to be done rather than catastrophising on this. In addition, not all the high scorers will be taking up the grammar places; lots do it for preparation for independent options; at least 5 children in our school took that approach.
That is a fair and very valid point. I hope you are right.

Re: Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:21 pm
by twellsmum
Possibly TWGSB does not get much of a mention as it is not a super selective and is therefore perceived by some as inferior to Skinners and Judd. It is however a very good school and gives a very rounded education. there is a lot of emphasis on community and producing the fine young men of the future.

My sons are in Y10 and Y7 and one of my daughters is in the 6th form. Even if my sons had got full marks in the 11+ I would not have considered Skinners or Judd for them as I quite simply believe that TWGSB is a better school for their characters and way they learn. Son #1 is dyslexic/dyspraxic and is supported in a way at TWGSB that I have heard from others is not available at Skinners/Judd.

TWGSB was a Technical High School back in the 1980s and then changed its name to a grammar. However, there is still an element of the Tec there in that there are more non academic subjects to choose from. It still gets very good results and one year recently was nearly on the same level as Judd with A levels which considering it takes every boy within a reasonable distance who passes whereas Judd takes only the very top scores is fantastic. The head, Mr Harrison, is lovely, very down to earth and very proud of his boys. Sadly he is retiring at Xmas due to ill health but there are a lot of dedicated teachers there so hopefully the impact of him going will not be too drastic.

Re: Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:27 pm
by twellsmum
Sorry should have said specifically to Tiger22, the music facilities at TWGSB seem to me (very much a lay person) much better than at Judd/Skinners. Like I say, no experience of those two schools BUT relying on what has been said to me by mums of other boys over the last eight years that I have had children at secondary school. I know a number of boys who chose TWGSB despite qualifying for Skinners/Judd because of the music. Go and look round the school and don't look too closely at the fabric of the buildings. It is tatty as all grammar schools are suffering from funding cuts and TWGSB does not have the same high proportion of private school parents who can help fill the gaps between funding and needs so don't rely too heavily on the cosmetic appearance but look at the boys and the teachers.

Re: Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2016 6:28 pm
by memphis
twellsmum wrote:Sorry should have said specifically to Tiger22, the music facilities at TWGSB seem to me (very much a lay person) much better than at Judd/Skinners. Like I say, no experience of those two schools BUT relying on what has been said to me by mums of other boys over the last eight years that I have had children at secondary school. I know a number of boys who chose TWGSB despite qualifying for Skinners/Judd because of the music. Go and look round the school and don't look too closely at the fabric of the buildings. It is tatty as all grammar schools are suffering from funding cuts and TWGSB does not have the same high proportion of private school parents who can help fill the gaps between funding and needs so don't rely too heavily on the cosmetic appearance but look at the boys and the teachers.
Hi twellsmum that's a great insight into TWSGB. We liked it a lot when we visited the school. I'm surprised that some boys chose TWGSB over Judd given that the latter is a superselective with 'Music Specialist School' status.

As for the lack of SEND support may I ask where you got that information from?

Re: Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 6:00 am
by tiger22
How does it work with Rugby and Football at TWBG? I understand that it is more football focused but Rugby is played right? Can you do both or do you have to choose?

Re: Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar- Opinions

Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2016 1:57 pm
by Sennockianmum
They do football in the autumn term, rugby in the spring and cricket in the summer.