Dr Challenor or John Hampden ?

[muvvalac]

Can someone please suggest which school is better in Dr Challenor boys grammar or john hampden grammar school.

I know they have catchment policy

DrChall and JHGS both are outstanding as per ofsted, but Dr challenor is quite ahead of JHGS in terms of league tables and national rankings. Also 20 pupil from DrChall goes to Oxbridge uni every year not sure about JHGS, though JHGS headteacher said 70% leavers are getting admission to Russell group of universities.

Only attraction of JHGS to me is that it is specialist in Sports which is attracting me, some previous children played for Olympics/CWG and some selected for foot ball academies as well. Not expecting DS to go to play top matches but he will be in good environment and will get more opportunities to play more sports due to more sports facilities inthe school. I also know that JHGS academics in year 7 - 9 are not very good (as per ofsted report and it reflects in GCSE results also)

Your opinions are much appreciated

[andyb]

I don't think it is fair to compare schools on paper. As you say they are both excellent schools with their own strengths. You need to visit and get a feel for the environment and talk to the boys. An ideal environment for one boy may be another's idea of h ell.

[Sally-Anne]

Apparently Dr Challoners does not allow visits other than on their Open Evenings, and those have already taken place.

[muvvalac]

I missed Dr Challenor open day but attended JohnHampden

I would still happy to receive all your feedback and from parents of current boys

[tottington]

I can't comment on Dr Challoner's but 3 of my boys are at JHGS: year 7s now have to do 3 foreign langs (French, German and Spanish), strong on sports, found it to be a very caring environment and staff very supportive (we have had problems with one of our boys but they were sorted out promptly and effectively ), they don't offer Latin/Greek (so if you're keen on your DC learning that he won't be able to). As the previous poster said, you have to go and get a feel for the place. We are extremely happy with the school and they are constantly extending what they have to offer (in terms of subjects, activities etc.) - the boys enjoy it as well (although there are obviously the usual justified and not-so-justified moans and groans...). Hope this helps!

[Rob Clark]

DS goes to Challoner’s and loves it. That said, he has friends at John Hampden and they love it there too, and their parents seem very happy with the school and I think academically it is improving fast, though tottington will obviously know more about this than I do.

DCGS also does not offer Latin or Greek either, at least not at GCSE level.

Can I just add one word of clarification re. sports. Most of the boys’ GS in south Bucks don’t really take sport that seriously, IMHO (with the obvious exception of RGS and its rugby). That isn’t to say that there aren’t some excellent sportsmen at the GS, just that the vast majority of them are good before they get to the school and maintain that standard by playing at clubs outside school.

[muvvalac]

DS goes to Challoner’s and loves it. That said, he has friends at John Hampden and they love it there too, and their parents seem very happy with the school and I think academically it is improving fast, though tottington will obviously know more about this than I do.

DCGS also does not offer Latin or Greek either, at least not at GCSE level.

Can I just add one word of clarification re. sports. Most of the boys’ GS in south Bucks don’t really take sport that seriously, IMHO (with the obvious exception of RGS and its rugby). That isn’t to say that there aren’t some excellent sportsmen at the GS, just that the vast majority of them are good before they get to the school and maintain that standard by playing at clubs outside school.

Thanks that helps

Did you mean to say RGS has more sports activities ?

[Morning Glory]

My DS has just started at JHGS, he has some SEN issues and the school was recommended to us for their pastoral care. We could not be more pleased with the way he has settled in and the support he has received.

Hope this helps.

[Tree]

Hey morning glory really pleased to here that its going so well for your ds after all that hair tearing out appeal nightmare you had , can't believe it's already a year ago nearly.

all the best