Bexley Grammar versus Townley

[sata]

My view on this discussion is based on what the child consider to be more suitable given the fact that great effort would have been made to pass the exam [Well done to them]. The two schools are good and have great features for a child to do well despite the fact that one is a girl and the other co-ed.

Our daughter seemed more gravitated towards Bexley grammar, but still like Townley grammar as it is a Performing Arts specialist school. I was greatly surprise at the Bexley Gramm open evening in which the Senior Ensemble Brass band performed a jazz piece. Our daughter currently Grade 6 in Music [passed both Grade 5 ABRSM Theory and Practical in Piano at 9yrs] was very much impressed and now craving for Bexley grammar. A very talented young girl with instrumental skills in Violin, Flute and now planning to self tutor herself in Saxophone.

We are open and will support her in where ever she decide to go. As parents we will like her to go to Newstead Wood or Dartford as she also passed the three tests [Bexley, Kent and Newstead], but the choice is hers.

Coming back to the point and as a parent teacher, there is wide scope in the A level curriculum at Bexley grammar with the choice for students to either do the International Bac or traditional A level. As parents we feel the International Bac has more scope in terms of breadth in the curriculum than the traditional A level, but that all depends on what the child wants to do.

We are indifferent between the two schools as they have the necessary support schemes to add value to children's achievement.

[roundthree]

That is also my feelings, my daughter liked them both and was a little worried that she couldn't decide. Next day she came home from school and had decided on Bexley Grammar, for no reason that she could tell. Later I found out what is almost definitely the reason and that is that five children in her class at school are putting it down as first choice. I wonder if that is a good enough reason?

[Juancurt]

I think we are now thinking of Townley as our first choice.

Lots of reasons for both but gut feeling and the journey tell me that Townley would be best for DD.

She has worked so hard with the goal of going to Townley all the way along so I think she wants to stick with the original plan.

[roundthree]

Well done for making a decision, I am also swaying towards Townley as it seems to provide for DD's interests but now she tells everyone she is putting Bexley G as first choice and I know this is because 5 in her class are putting it down first. I haven't advised her yet as I am afraid this may make her want to do the opposite. Anyone specialise in child psychology,

[Tracy]

PE boys and girls are separated in normal circumstances but there are the odd occasions (couple of times a year) where there are joint actvities like a mixed benchball match.

Girls sports include: health/fitness, yoga, dance, netball, hockey, basketball, football, rounders, tennis, badminton, athletics, gymnastics.

Drama: absolutely loads going on. One actual drama lesson a week but then there's a drama club and various productions.

Music: as above and individual lessons. Different types of bands. Many, many concerts.

Languages. The norm is to study 2 to gcse (this is where the stats differ as many schools just do 1). If a second is not to be studied, the choice must be Latin or Classics. This is something which a lot of parents are totally unaware of. You can choose to do Latin or Classics in addition to the 2 languages also as an option.

[Juancurt]

Roundthree I think sometimes your gut feeling is what you have to go with.

Townley makes sense in terms of my DD.

Still going to see Chis and Sid on Monday to complete the picture but Townley is number one on our CAF.

Good luck

[roundthree]

Thanks Juancourt and all others for help, just need to google child psychology now and see if I can help my DD to think the same.

[roundthree]

Roundthree I think sometimes your gut feeling is what you have to go with.

Townley makes sense in terms of my DD.

Still going to see Chis and Sid on Monday to complete the picture but Townley is number one on our CAF.

Good luck

I have been giving little hints all week to my DD reminding her about the dance and drama at Townley (as she loves going to her dance and drama school three to four times a week, sometimes even more with rehearsals, she loves it). I didn't want to come out and say that I think she should put it first in case this had the opposite result. (I have a very contrary DD you see). She has been saying in the last week that she wants to put Bexley Grammar first even though up until then it was always Townley. I have since found out that five children in her class are putting it first and I am sure this is the reason for the change. Anyway tonight DD comes home from her dancing school saying - I think I would like to put Townley as my first choice because of all the performing arts that they do. ***Eureka!!!!!!!!!*** I quickly opened the e-admission and we filled in 1. Townley. 2.Bexley Grammar 3. Chis and Sid. SUBMIT Wishing you all well in your choices. Maybe will see some of you and your DDs at Townley fingers crossed. Perhaps in March we should start a thread and arrange a get together for them?

[Juancurt]

You did the same order as me!! Would love to meet up if we get in. My DD knows some girls in Townley already but is likely to be the only girl from her school going.

Now to wait until March.

[roundthree]

Same here, about 8 or 9 girls from DDs dance school go there, but she will know no one in her year, it would be lovely for them to meet up before. If they get in of course, don't want to count my chickens. see you back here in March. x