Ilford County or KEGS?

[ConfusedinEssex]

DS has (fingers crossed!) done enough to consider a place at either. Putting aside the travel issues, any advice on how good - academically/teaching - each school is and how they compare?

[dk2011]

Academically KEGS is better than Ilford County. However, I know people who have preferred Ilford County over KEGS. Similarly, there are kids who travel to KEGS. It's about individual preference, really. Every individual is different and academic excellence is one of the criteria and not the only criteria. Please decide based on what suits you and your DS.

[jaypn2009]

KEGS is academically better and is on the top of league tables. Ilford isnt.
There are many students who travel from Ilford to KEGS.

But criteria should be based on where family lives, travel time, sibling catchment, etc..

[ConfusedinEssex]

Most people's impression seems to be that KEGS is academically more challenging, but is that really true? Any current parents out there who's got experience of DDs at one or the other, or both.

The journey is something to think about but a neighbour who had a DD at Chelmsford County (coach) until last year and a DS who is at a local comprehensive (2 buses) and found that DD got home earlier because the coach service was always good.

[Oguledoen]

They are not in the same league and no margin of comparison. Kegs makes U.K first 20 secondary schools ( guaranteed) but Ilford county barely makes the first 120 . Some comprehensives in Ilford will match Ilford county's result but Kegs is on its own league. The only schools that can compete and some times beat Kegs are Colchester schools, Westcliff schools are rarely Southend schools.

A lot of kids travel from Ilford to Kegs, the commute is straight forward. Enjoy

[ConfusedinEssex]

Thanks for that. Everyone I've spoken to so far has been glowing about KEGS. DS in the green band to lets just hope he manages to get in now!