KEGS v CRGS

Eleven Plus (11+) in Essex

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lunahp
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 18, 2013 1:03 pm

KEGS v CRGS

Post by lunahp »

Im a beginner in the grammar school process!! My son scored 357 so we are in green in the 'traffic light' system so KEGS or CRGS would be our choices. We live within a reasonable distance of both, KEGS being slightly closer. I don't know anybody who goes to either school so would welcome comments/experiences on both. We are attending the enquiry visit next week in the hope that this will help us choose which to put as 1st pref on the form. Many thanks.
dez
Posts: 336
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:38 am

Re: KEGS v CRGS

Post by dez »

lunahp wrote:Im a beginner in the grammar school process!! My son scored 357 so we are in green in the 'traffic light' system so KEGS or CRGS would be our choices. We live within a reasonable distance of both, KEGS being slightly closer. I don't know anybody who goes to either school so would welcome comments/experiences on both. We are attending the enquiry visit next week in the hope that this will help us choose which to put as 1st pref on the form. Many thanks.
Are you in or out of catchment for KEGS?
lunahp
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 18, 2013 1:03 pm

Re: KEGS v CRGS

Post by lunahp »

We are in catchment for KEGS.
KB
Posts: 3030
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:28 pm

Re: KEGS v CRGS

Post by KB »

There have been quite a few threads in the last week or so that include comments from KEGS & CRGS parents so worth a bit of a trawl through.

Have you looked at transport links to both schools - if you can't choose between them then the one that is easier travel wise might be relevant?
As well as school day transport it is worth thinking about travel home after extra curricular activities as well. CRGS have training for teams after school as well as choir and orchestra for example.

While not suggesting you choose a school based on what other people do! it might be worth thinking about whether most boys from your local area go to Chelmsford or Colchester in terms of social life as he gets older.

If your DS has particular strengths, needs, interests then it might be worth posting those so current parents can offer specific advice. You will also have a list to focus on when you attend the information sessions.

If you don't have a strong preference then I would go with letting DS make the choice - then when he hits a bump (and they all will) he can't blame you for sending him there :)

We have many years experience of CRGS and in my opinion it would be very unlikely that you would be disappointed if that is your choice. My only knowledge of KEGS is what I hear from my very loyal CRGSians so I take it with a pinch of salt :)

Do put both on your CAF though just in case there is a blip in the scores this year - unlikely I know.
inmystride
Posts: 198
Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 3:25 pm

Re: KEGS v CRGS

Post by inmystride »

I agree that transport is a major factor, not only the ease/convenience but also the cost. I now have a DS at CRGS and a DD at CoCHS who both catch the bus to school. The combined cost for the first term was almost £800, and £600 is due for the second term.
Having said that, both schools are fabulous :-)
lunahp
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 18, 2013 1:03 pm

Re: KEGS v CRGS

Post by lunahp »

Many thanks KB & inmystride. My son loves reading, English and languages. He is not particularly sporty or into music/intstruments. I don't know if KEGS or CRCS are more suited to these particular areas?
KB
Posts: 3030
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:28 pm

Re: KEGS v CRGS

Post by KB »

Certainly CRGS has a strong English department with various related extra curricular activities.
It is also has a MFL specialism and has various exchanges and extra language classes - Spanish and Mandarin I know of.

That is not to say that KEGS doesn't of course!
KM
Posts: 103
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:08 am

Re: KEGS v CRGS

Post by KM »

Ds is in Y8 at Kegs and doing very well with English. They do a fast track language course, taking their GCSE in Y9 (either French or German) and have more language lessons than is normal at this stage in order to achieve this. Ds is not a fan of languages but at least he will have a language GCSE under his belt!
Albatros30
Posts: 30
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:59 pm

Re: KEGS v CRGS

Post by Albatros30 »

Hi

Just want to share that trusting how your DS feels and what his impression about the school when he visited the school play a crucial role in making the decision. All of these grammar schools are very good but will only be good for them if they are happy to go there every day, regardless of whether the school is close or far.

Our DS put his heart on CRGS since the day he visited the school when he was still in early year 5. We also visited all other grammar schools, but he always said that CRGS is his first option.

We visited all the schools again when he was in late year 5 and he didn't change his mind. We were very concern as we lived very far from CRGS and we were not prepared to move house due to various reasons that we can't say here. We tried to reason with him that the other grammar schools are nearer to home. He didn't back off a bit. He said he knew that CRGS would be good for him and he asked us to let him make the decision for himself. So we put CRGS as his first option and he was accepted.

Since he started school, he has to leave the house by 6.45am every morning and arrived home around 6pm. He does his homeworks and readings after dinner every night and most Sunday mornings. I would expect him to be so exhausted due to all of the travel and tons of homework. However, I have never seen him so happy before and he has never complained about any of it. I asked him why, and he said simply because he managed to get into the school that he always wanted and that the school has looked after him really well. He also joins various school clubs/activities everyday (few of them are after school - meaning he arrives home later than 6pm sometimes). Again, he doesn't even look tired with all of that.

We are really glad that we did not force him not to choose CRGS because of the distance, infact we dreaded to think what would've happened if he did not go to CRGS, ie. to think of him goes to the other schools that he was not too keen on. Even if the school is only a walking distance, if he doesn't like the school then I would think that the walking can feel like hours of journey.

Different family has different situation and any DC is different to the other DCs. So our experience might not be suitable for everyone.

Hope that is help. Good luck with the application, whatever school that your DS goes to, I am sure he will be doing fine.

Take care.
lunahp
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Oct 18, 2013 1:03 pm

Re: KEGS v CRGS

Post by lunahp »

Many thanks.
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