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Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 11:16 am
by 11plusessex
Hi All,

Can't decide between Kegs or Westcliff!! We live closer to Kegs but really liked Westcliff when we visited. I feel from the visits that Westcliff will suit my son better. Just can't decide whether to put him through to a school which is closer but he may find harder to adjust and enjoy or go to a school which will suit him better but means he will have to travel. Just wondering if anyone out there is in the same position and any advice appreciated. Thank you.

Re: Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 6:11 pm
by mum of boys
If you have a strong preference for Westcliff and the journey is manageable, then that seems to be the right choice. Does your son like it better too? Is he happy with the longer journey and will it be possible for him to stay for after school activities?

If you didn't particularly prefer either school, then that's when it would seem sensible to choose the more local one.

We are also struggling to finalise our decision as we like both schools. I always thought DS would go to Westcliff with his brother, but having revisited Kegs, I now think it would suit him well and he would be very happy there. As Kegs is nearer for us too, it is now seeming like the more sensible choice. I am extremely happy with Westcliff, so am finding it hard to choose a school that I have less experience of, even though I think it might be the right choice.

Good luck with your decision!

Re: Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 6:16 pm
by ToadMum
11plusessex wrote:Hi All,

Can't decide between Kegs or Westcliff!! We live closer to Kegs but really liked Westcliff when we visited. I feel from the visits that Westcliff will suit my son better. Just can't decide whether to put him through to a school which is closer but he may find harder to adjust and enjoy or go to a school which will suit him better but means he will have to travel. Just wondering if anyone out there is in the same position and any advice appreciated. Thank you.
There is at least one other thread asking for experiences of the two schools, because I posted a response on it :) .

Re: Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:10 pm
by Good3boys
My nephew lives in Danbury but choose WHSB over KEGS. He gets the bus at 7.20 and home @5pm. He preferred the sports all being onsite and what he said it was less pressure at WHSB - not sure he’d agree with his own comments now he is doing GCSEs :lol:

You have a few days check journeys, look at extra curriculum clubs/trips and read through some policies on website and most schools have diaries online to get the tone or feel for a school. If your son is happy to travel he can do it @ just remind him it’s for the next 5-7yrs.

Well done on passing the 11+. It’s a lovely decision to worry about!

Re: Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 9:42 pm
by jaypn2009
My DS has got scores in Green column for Westcliff OOC. But yellow for KEGS. He would get WSHB straightaway wothout doubt.

Not sure whether to put KEGS as first choice and westcliff second so he can remain in waiting list for KEGS. KEGS seems to be in the top schools in league tables, so thinking of putting it on waiting list.

We didnt visit KEGS for open day as it was a working day ..missed it.
But we visited WHSB on open day , my DS and all of us in family Loved Westcliff school.

Would love to hear others' opinion who have experience in Essex schools.

Re: Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2017 10:27 pm
by 11plusessex
Thank you all for your input. We are still debating pros and cons for both schools and will then make a decision. Best of luck to everyone.

Re: Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 2:18 pm
by T0tleybrook
We were in a similar position. DS liked KEGS, but also loved Westcliff/Southend during the school visits. We ended up opting for the school most easily accessible to us (KEGS). Apart from the copious amount of homework (which is probably true for any grammar school one goes to), it has been a great decision to choose the school closer to us, due to the number of extracurricular activities he's decided to involve himself with, and also it means having a few extra minutes in bed in the mornings. It takes about 35min to KEGS, and I dread to think how we'd manage if he'd gone to a school further away. At the end of the day, they are all fantastic schools. League tables are one thing, but these are boys of top caliber, in schools serving those that are academically very able, so it's important to think not just about the academics, but also how life outside of it will function, if choosing a school that is too far away.

Re: Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 7:23 pm
by Souvik
Hi

is there any school bus for Westcliff from Witham?

Thanks

Re: Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 7:35 pm
by mad?
jaypn2009 wrote: But we visited WHSB on open day , my DS and all of us in family Loved Westcliff school.
Decision made lucky you!

Re: Westcliff or Kegs

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 7:38 pm
by mad?
T0tleybrook wrote: League tables are one thing, but these are boys of top caliber, in schools serving those that are academically very able, so it's important to think not just about the academics, but also how life outside of it will function, if choosing a school that is too far away.
Absolutely agree.
Souvik wrote:Hi

is there any school bus for Westcliff from Witham?

Thanks
I'm assuming from the plethora of your previous posts this is a wind up? If not, might be worth thanking people for the copious amounts of help they have already given you before asking for more?