Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

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ronkevso
Posts: 122
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:23 pm

Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

Post by ronkevso »

Hello Parents

I not sure which school to pick for my dc. I like aspects of Dartford Grammar, Bexley Grammar and Beths.

Do any parents have dc/dc's in any of the schools above? How are they progressing? Do you feel they are being challenged academically? Do they enjoy studying at the school? What is the pastoral care like? What about the percentage of students going on to Russell Group universities? Not forgetting the extra- curricular activities.

Please could you share your experiences to help us make the right decision for our dc.

Many thanks
sidcupparent
Posts: 48
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 10:05 am

Re: Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

Post by sidcupparent »

Don't forget Chis and Sid we are very happy and depending on whether you go for Telepgraph or Times ranking it comes out on top when compared to beths and Bexley in terms of academic results (Townley has got the best last year)
salsa
Posts: 2686
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:59 am

Re: Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

Post by salsa »

Hi Ronkevso,

I think they are all good schools. I guess you have been to see them all? Have you worked out the logistics? Is one school easier to get to than the other?

My son goes to Dartford Grammar and he is very happy there. We are out of area, but his journey is direct and easy on the train. He also travels with friends and this is great for him. In spite of being from out of area, my son has made great friends and they often meet at Bluewater during the holidays. I think it depends on the child.

About the school itself, well, it is great. I like the fact that it is a truly international school were languages and science are very important. Dartford Grammar is one of few schools were ALL students are entered to take TWO languages at GCSE level. So, their statistics are not just great scores for the few who got entered for the exam. Many schools manipulate their results by not letting children sit exams they may either fail or not get the results they want. They are very professional, conscientious and very well organised. The teachers are excellent and treat the children well. Having said that, discipline is also enforced and at the beginning, the teachers appear to be very strict. They loosen up later!

There are lots of school clubs and the boys are encouraged to attend at least one. All clubs are free.

As well as in Beths, they test them regularly and give them grades for effort as well as attainment. Should your child's grades, behaviour or effort slip in any way, the teacher will phone you immediately! I really liked the personal touch that the headmaster reads and sings all reports. I was even more impressed to see a handwritten comment from the head to my son.

At the school they are very keen on rugby and all students in year seven must attend rugby practice on Saturdays for the first few months.

You may also know that, as well as Bexley, they do the International Baccalaureate.

We have friends at Bexley and Beths and they are very happy with the schools.

The other thing to consider is whether you'd like single sex or co-ed. Moreover, do you have any other children? If your son goes to a Bexley school, your other children would only need a pass to join the school. At Dartford, however, there is no sibling policy and if you are out of area, your other son would need to achieve a high score. This, of course, may not be an issue for you.

At the end of the day, you need to find what is best for your son. League tables and statistics do not mean anything as they do not predict how well your son will do or how happy he will be.

I don't know what else to tell you, but feel free to ask anything else. Whatever you decide, I think will be a good choice.
ronkevso
Posts: 122
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:23 pm

Re: Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

Post by ronkevso »

Thank you so much Sidcupparent. I did not even consider Chis and Sid. I will try and go to the open day.
ronkevso
Posts: 122
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:23 pm

Re: Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

Post by ronkevso »

Thank you so much Salsa for your detailed post. You have given me a lot to think about. We are OOC , we live in Bexley. We received our Kent results early from the school and dc got a standardised score of 400. I didn' t consider Dartford Grammar beforeethe but I feel that it may be a good option for him.

I must say, I do prefer a mixed school but maybe l should not rule out a boys school. My son is very sporty but his favourite sport is football. Dc is not keen on Dartford as they do not have a school football team and he doesn't really know how to play rugby.

A school with a sibling policy would be great for dd but we also feel that he put in the hard work so he must go to a school that is best for his needs not just for a sibling policy.

You are right about schools minipulating results. At a Beths open day they said that many boys take some GCSEs early, one boy told me they could do it again if they didn't get a very good schoo l. Students often do AS levels along GCSE's in Year 11. I am not keen on this as I feel this could be all too much pressure.

Strict discipline is fine by me. I think thats good. Transport wise , all schools are a bus ride away. Dartford and Beths are a little bit closer. Dc loves different clubs/ sports but I also want him to attend a school that will push him academically.Nice to hear about the headteacher's comment in reports.

When we visit the schools again i'm sure we will be able to get a better feeling about t b e best school for dc.

Thanks again
salsa
Posts: 2686
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:59 am

Re: Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

Post by salsa »

I laughed when I heard about football. My son's class was told "Football is the F word at Dartford Grammar!" Having said that, they all play at every break they get. My son has never played so much football. He goes through several pairs of shoes as a result. The good thing is that the whole curriculum is biased towards what boys enjoy. There are schools of thought advocating for single sex education and others against it. The open evening is on 22nd Oct.
ronkevso
Posts: 122
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:23 pm

Re: Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

Post by ronkevso »

Thanks Salsa. My gets through so many shoes playing football at break. He also plays for the school team. I was surprised to hear that Dartford do not have a football team is football too 'worki g class'.

I told my son that we cannot rule out Dartford due to no football as I feel it may offer him so many opportunities. He loves cricket and athletics so i'm sure he would be fine.

I do prefer co ed but you are right, I think a boys school can offer my son all the things he enjoys. I have always had the impression that boys schools are boisterous. Do you know what class behaviour is like?
ronkevso
Posts: 122
Joined: Thu Apr 17, 2014 3:23 pm

Re: Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

Post by ronkevso »

I will definitely try to make the open day.
salsa
Posts: 2686
Joined: Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:59 am

Re: Dartford Grammar v Bexley Grammar v Beths

Post by salsa »

Class behaviour is excellent. There are always one or two who like to joke around, but they get into trouble.
Do Beths and Bexley have football teams? Isn't Chis & Sid a sports specialised school?
Children have very different priorities when choosing a school. My son changed 4 times! I think it's left to parents to decide what's best for them at this age.
Anyway, it's not an easy decision and you don't have that long. I really don't know why they don't encourage football too. I find rugby a very rough sport and I worry a lot about concussion. They are strong in Athletics and have cricket clubs and teams too.
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