Just can't make decision!!!

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jdwarwick
Posts: 52
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2008 6:06 pm
Location: Medway

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by jdwarwick »

Just wanted to echo what paulap says, we were in exactly the same position last year, after ages of trying to decide between all on offer we came down to FP and RG equal first and we went for FP on "feel" and, weird I know, the way we were treated when we had to contact the schools on an issue. Similarly no regrets with the decision, going even better than expected, she hates weekends because there is no school! :? (Will remind her of this when she's 15!).
tiredmum
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:51 am

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by tiredmum »

jdwarwick wrote: Similarly no regrets with the decision, going even better than expected, she hates weekends because there is no school! :? (Will remind her of this when she's 15!).
jd glad its going well for your dd :)
lorrainey
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:21 am

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by lorrainey »

jdwarwick wrote:Just wanted to echo what paulap says, we were in exactly the same position last year, after ages of trying to decide between all on offer we came down to FP and RG equal first and we went for FP on "feel" and, weird I know, the way we were treated when we had to contact the schools on an issue. Similarly no regrets with the decision, going even better than expected, she hates weekends because there is no school! :? (Will remind her of this when she's 15!).
We're having similar problems as Ruby, trying to decide on a school! Our first choice would have been RG but we went to RGS's Open Day on Sat and felt it was quite formal there, not as friendly as FP or CG, so now we're undecided. My husband feels they're a bit uppity there and I read on a parent's comments forum found via goodle that parents were not happy with the lack of openness to parental feedback. I like the maths/ computing and music specialisms, the recording studio and state-of-the-art stage. When I asked about food/ cookery DT, the receptionist told me that a purpose built classroom is being built and will be ready for next Sept. So that's two ticks (music= FP and cookery=CG). The Accelerated Learning, I'm pleased to report (see my separate thread on it) is actually similar to CG's where it's personalised and ranges from 2-8 GCSEs taken early. I asked the HT and he explained it. Just a bit worried how my dd will fit in with public school children there, though I think it will do her good to learn to speak properly! Her Chatham speak is starting to influence her writing, ie 'They was there'.

DD quite liked RGS at first but now is leaning towards CG as they were very friendly today when we went. Seems like a fun school with Rag Week in the last week of each term, where the teachers put on a pantomime and lots of charity events organised at lunch time.
medwaymix
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:59 pm

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by medwaymix »

Well we are down to choice of 2 now - FP or CG and will probably put FP first and CG second. Ofsted report and results are better at FP but that's the only difference really. Both very warm and friendly schools. Rainham Mark will be 3rd choice - though the journey would be complicated. Must say am relieved it's almost over. :?
tiredmum
Posts: 1161
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 2:51 am

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by tiredmum »

lorrainey wrote:We're having similar problems as Ruby, trying to decide on a school! Our first choice would have been RG but we went to RGS's Open Day on Sat and felt it was quite formal there, not as friendly as FP or CG, so now we're undecided. My husband feels they're a bit uppity there and I read on a parent's comments forum found via goodle that parents were not happy with the lack of openness to parental feedback. I like the maths/ computing and music specialisms, the recording studio and state-of-the-art stage. When I asked about food/ cookery DT, the receptionist told me that a purpose built classroom is being built and will be ready for next Sept. So that's two ticks (music= FP and cookery=CG). The Accelerated Learning, I'm pleased to report (see my separate thread on it) is actually similar to CG's where it's personalised and ranges from 2-8 GCSEs taken early. I asked the HT and he explained it. Just a bit worried how my dd will fit in with public school children there, though I think it will do her good to learn to speak properly! Her Chatham speak is starting to influence her writing, ie 'They was there'.

.

Can i just add something here - in that in 2006 dd1 needed to choose a grammar and i felt exactly as you do - RGS formal, lots of "posh" girls, the bad press on communications and dd1 chose FP.

When it was dd2's turn to choose last year i deliberatly wanted her to see them all afresh - we viewed them all on an open day - a working school morning - and if possible an induction. I wanted her to have the say.

She decided on RGS - i was happy for her to make this choice as i had noticed in the 4 years since i first looked round the girls seemed very individual - at FP they all have their hair the same, at RGS they looked individual. On the working day the guide let me go in any classes i wanted. What i noticed was how so many of the lessons were really interactive between the teacher and the girls - not just the teacher sprouting info at the front. The girls were relaxed in the lessons and jokey. I knew this would suit my dd. The open day may have seemed formal to you as RGS make sure it is extremely well organised. The girls are taught the route to show you and given info about the school to tell you.

I asked my dd what swang it for her when she looked round - she said it was the fact that in different places around the school there were photos of different girls or teachers stuck on walls or doors - saying happy birhtday, congrats etc - this is allowed ( not so formal) in fact it has already been done for my dd!

In the first month of year 7 they have a thinking and a memory skills day - and are encouraged to use these new skills in their learning.

I have not found that the comms/parental feedback a problem. Everyone has been helpful. DD has made lots of friends - she talks about 15 girls from her learning class. Only one of them went to a private primary school - all the others are from bog-standard state schools. Normal bright girls similar to dd.

for me rgs has so far exceeded my expectations - and dd is very happy (works very hard on home work though) - having experience of 2 medway grammars now i am more than happy to recommend RGS.
paulap
Posts: 134
Joined: Tue Aug 19, 2008 4:16 pm

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by paulap »

My DD started at RGS this September and I'm an ex-Fort Pitter and I, too, always thought that RGS was more "stuffy" than FP but have been pleasantly surprised. Yes, they do have rules and they expect the girls to keep them but they are very big on individuality and getting the best from each girl. They had a Tag Day last week and the girls were encouraged to wear fairy wings to support the "Make a Wish" charity and, by all accounts, they all had fun with many of the teachers also wearing wings.

I would definitely suggest visiting in school time, if you haven't already done so, as it really gives you a better feel for the place.
Last edited by paulap on Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
zink
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:22 pm
Location: Medway

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by zink »

My DD started at RGS in 2004 and moved over to the Maths School 6th form. We think RGS did her the world of good as she has high expectations of herself and strives for the best in her studies. This reflects in her test results at the Maths School. Working hard re school work is second nature to her. She onlu

I'd echo comments about the apparent formality and lack of more parent involvement but I believe that has/is being addressed.

My DD2 liked the friendly atmostphere at CGSG but also liked the atmostphere at RGS, we found her freely chatting with a couple of the teachers there on Open Day. I think because we have experience of RGS the pendulum is swinging in that direction.
medwaymix
Posts: 35
Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2010 8:59 pm

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by medwaymix »

As other posters have said it's about which appears to be right for your dd. After all this process, I don't think there is one school better than another, but am sure there will be one school better for each family's dd. We all have valid reasons for the choices we make and all we can do is hope the choice is right. It seems to me that all those who went through the process last year are very happy with their choices and that has got to be heartening for this year's bunch! :)
lorrainey
Posts: 11
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:21 am

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by lorrainey »

Thank you to all of you who have posted very good advice. We did try to go in for the open morning to see RGS in action. Before that, we went to CG where she tripped and fell in the car park! But she managed to walk around for the tour. By the time we got to RGS later on, we got as far as the corridor before she felt she couldn't walk any further. Her ankle hurt too much. So we went home. :?

Did any of your daughter have any friends going to RGS? How long did it take before they had some good friends? She's worried as her close friends are choosing another school.
anxiousyear
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:13 pm

Re: Just can't make decision!!!

Post by anxiousyear »

lorrainey wrote:Thank you to all of you who have posted very good advice. We did try to go in for the open morning to see RGS in action. Before that, we went to CG where she tripped and fell in the car park! But she managed to walk around for the tour. By the time we got to RGS later on, we got as far as the corridor before she felt she couldn't walk any further. Her ankle hurt too much. So we went home. :?

Did any of your daughter have any friends going to RGS? How long did it take before they had some good friends? She's worried as her close friends are choosing another school.
Hello Lorrainey,

I think you were with me and my daughter going around RGS. My daughter is the only one from her class putting RGS as a choice. She goes to a small independent (not posh!) school in Kent with only 5 other girls in her class who are putting Kent schools first. She felt very comfortable there and said she felt it was the right school for her. So she has no friends at all going to RGS. If she gets in (and she really wants to) she will be looking to make new friends. Hopefully your daughter may be the first of them!!
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