Views on Chestnut Grove / Kingsdale - Help please! Post Reply

[tadger98]

Would love to hear from people with kids in Chestnut Grove or Kingsdale about their impressions of their school. We like both but are finding it very difficult to choose between them. What kind of kid would thrive at each school do you think (and also what kind would maybe struggle)? Also any other views would be greatly appreciated.

For context we live in Earlsfield and my son has done well enough to be in the top Band for Chestnut Grove and he has also been offered a full sports scholarship at Kingsdale. He is bright but not super academic, sporty, makes friends easily but can be sensitive to what others think of him.

Thanks in advance!

[KatherineHepburn]

Oh it's impossible to choose isn't it?

Chestnut Grove is a lovely school as is Kingsdale.
Add in Burntwood and Bolingbroke and we are very confused too!

The bonus of course is this is a great position to be in really - all of our local, and not so local, state schools are absolutely superb.

My only concern with Kingsdale is the distance.
How will he be travelling there each morning?

[tadger98]

Thanks KatherineHepburn.  My dd is at Burntwood in Y8 and is really enjoying it.  It's a great school and she has made lots of friends.  We couldn't be happier.

My ds would take the train from Wandsworth Common to Gypsy Hill and then its a 10min walk to Kingsdale.  Probably 40min door to door.  But the biggest problem I think is that there isn't a plan B if the train line is down. While walk to CG would be 35mins.

[dutchstef]

we are happy we chose chestnut. we came from a private primary so it was a massive change, but son soon settled in and made friends. teachers and facilities are great, there’s lots of extra curricular options and lots of green space, and the results just keep getting better. building will soon start on a brand new sixth form block too. all in all, we’re very lucky we got into such a great, constantly improving, school on our doorstep.

[scubamum]

We started at Kingsdale in Sept and dd has settled, made friends and seems happy. The commute has only really been an issue one morning (back up drive got her there on time) and the rest of the time the trains have been fine. She personally didn’t like CG but has loved the big, bustling Kingsdale. It’s such a huge school it might not suit some kids but there’s a lot going on, huge number of clubs and for such a big school the teachers really do know the kids. It will come down to what you both prefer - good luck!

[aliJ77]

Hi there,
We were in the same boat last year plus we also threw in private schools and we were very confused.

However I would certainly go for the school closest to home esp as Kingsdale is such an unknown for getting into.

Our DD is very much like your son and got a sports scholarship to Kingsdale. On offer day we were 180 on scholarship band and 107 on normal band - so no chance.

We in a somewhat of a black hole in Balham and DD was in top band for all other state school.
We we got Burntwood, and was 3rd on waiting list for CG, within a week we got a place.
In June we got a place at Graveney which was our 2nd choice (1st was Dunraven but out of catchment by 0.4km most years) and that’s were she goes after turning down private school offer.
It’s really hard to decide but always put as one of your last options a safe bet that you are guaranteed to get and you are happy with this - Burntwood was our one.

We are super happy with Graveney and our DD is thriving there, very involved in all things and is representing the school in 3 sports already.
Hope that helps.

[Ally]

Both my kids go here. If you’re in this neck of the woods and looking for a comp but can’t get Graveney then CG is by far your best bet. Fab teachers lovely school ethos. A few bullies but you’ll get that everywhere. Would definitely recommend it