DGS v Beths v Wilmington Grammar

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Floridafan
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:34 pm

DGS v Beths v Wilmington Grammar

Post by Floridafan »

We are in the very fortunate position of a top 180 score for our DS in Bexley , and a top pass for Kent (live in Kent within a mile of DGS and WGSFB)...

Interested to hear any thoughts on DGS v Beth v WGSFB .....really liked Beths open evening (son loves the free bag and pen!!) , but travelling would be more awkward and the intake is bigger (192 v 150 at DGS)....

DGS was also great (no free bag/pen though!!) but has a language specialism , which my son is not particularly interested in. He loves maths and physics......so perhaps Wilmington Grammar (wth it's Engineering specialism) would be better. We are due to see WGS next week....

Very lucky to be in this position , but struggling with the decision......
Filitosa96
Posts: 44
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 4:36 pm

Re: DGS v Beths v Wilmington Grammar

Post by Filitosa96 »

I think your son will be underwhelmed by the language specialism at DGS from what you say, and as every boy does two MFLs to GCSE, it's a big deal not to like the subject area all that much. They are also now teaching the European languages (Spanish, French German) as iGCSEs as of this September.
I can't comment on WGS or BETHS as languages is my ds' thing and our Top 180/Kent dilemma boiled down to BGS vs DGS. DGS won for us in the end because it is the best state school for IB in the country IMHO. We knew we wanted a really good IB offer.
What I can say is from a Y10 parent perspective is that DGS is a brilliant school, that allows boys a comparatively free hand academically and intellectually. They are left to get on with it themselves to some extent. That suits my ds but might not suit yours.
Well done on having such a great set of options, they are all very good schools, as your son is clearly very capable academically, I am sure he will continue to excel wherever he goes next year!
Floridafan
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:34 pm

Re: DGS v Beths v Wilmington Grammar

Post by Floridafan »

Many thanks for your informed and positive reply..... it seems two languages is the norm for most schools........some hard thinking over the next few days....but I'm not complaining as we are in a very fortunate position. Still WGS to look at ....interested to hear what thoughts people have about it....
Blametheparents
Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 8:58 pm

Re: DGS v Beths v Wilmington Grammar

Post by Blametheparents »

DS is in Year 8 at DGS and loves it. Relatively early days I guess because he's not yet at a GCSE selection stage so I can't comment on that process.

Be careful of specialisms and what they really mean. As you say, many schools require 2 languages at present.

DGS specialises in languages, but that's not stopped them completely re-building and re-furbishing their science block.

I was not a fan of Wilmington when we looked because I was not impressed with their A Level results, and also because we (inc my son) just did not get a good feel about it.
And I guess that's what a lot of it comes down to - how you feel about a school.
theonly1
Posts: 152
Joined: Fri Sep 09, 2011 11:24 am

Re: DGS v Beths v Wilmington Grammar

Post by theonly1 »

Hello,

Abig congrats to you and your son. I must say that it is a nice position to be in. I was at WGSFB a couple of years ago and it did not sit right with me. I did not even bother to see again last year for my son. I have heard good things about Beths but have not been there as my son already knew he wanted DGS from visiting its website and the open evening blew us all away.

From a parents perspective, I can say my son have grown as a person academically, socially and also physically. There are a lot of activities for the boys and they are given space to learn and support is robust. I must say though that the boys work hard as home work averages 5 or 6 a week.

I am sure that you will make the right decision eventually.

Good luck.
Floridafan
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:34 pm

Re: DGS v Beths v Wilmington Grammar

Post by Floridafan »

theonly1 wrote:Hello,

Abig congrats to you and your son. I must say that it is a nice position to be in. I was at WGSFB a couple of years ago and it did not sit right with me. I did not even bother to see again last year for my son. I have heard good things about Beths but have not been there as my son already knew he wanted DGS from visiting its website and the open evening blew us all away.

From a parents perspective, I can say my son have grown as a person academically, socially and also physically. There are a lot of activities for the boys and they are given space to learn and support is robust. I must say though that the boys work hard as home work averages 5 or 6 a week.

I am sure that you will make the right decision eventually.

Good luck.
Many thanks and sorry for the late reply!! I'm 99% sure it will be DGS......although to be fair to WGSFB we will go and see them tomorrow.....great to hear about your sons experience of Dartford.
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