Any comments for The Royal Grammar School - UK State Boarding School

HKdevil

Oh i was asking littlemeimei, who said has taken the test.

odelia_ho

回復 HKdevil 的帖子

oh yes, I saw that (you could see I didn't specific reply to particular person)
as I also want to write down my current position only

HKdevil

Oic, thank u

Littlemeimei

My boy is studying at UK on Jan for grade 9.

Tommy

恭喜！恭喜！中途插入Year 9, 一定係好學校，而且過程一定千辛萬苦喇！最後係唔係RGS ?

odelia_ho

Tommy 發表於 13-4-28 15:57
恭喜！恭喜！中途插入Year 9, 一定係好學校，而且過程一定千辛萬苦喇！最後係唔係RGS ?



  ...

Ya, I want to know too, is it RGS?
As I have consulted a school agent, I was told that according to my son's age, we may try to apply RGS Year 9 for Sep 2014, but they only offer a few places. The chance is slim. But I would try,

CPU1995

odelia_ho 發表於 13-4-29 12:54
Ya, I want to know too, is it RGS?
As I have consulted a school agent, I was told that according to  ...

Odelia,

Why change mind to apply school for your son in 2014?

Lomama99

My son took RGS's late entrance test for Year 9 in March but was not accepted.  The school said that he ranked 14 out of 32 applicants.  RGS is a good school and I think we will apply for Year 10 in coming September.

odelia_ho

CPU1995 發表於 13-5-11 13:46
Odelia,

Why change mind to apply school for your son in 2014?

Hi CPU1995,
As what I said above, school agent told me I may apply Year 9 for my son this Sept, so I just want to try.
And other parents comment that it is difficult to get in.  In this circumstances, I would try this year, if it's not success, we try next year for Year 10 ma.
Do you select RGS for your younger son?

odelia_ho

Lomama99 發表於 13-5-11 16:52
My son took RGS's late entrance test for Year 9 in March but was not accepted.  The school said that ...

Lomama99,
Thank you for your entry.  May I know, the 32 applicants, are inculding other students, say from the UK and other countries?
And did the school put your son's name into waiting list?
Thank you.

CPU1995

odelia_ho 發表於 13-5-13 13:25
Hi CPU1995,
Do you select RGS for your younger son?
...

I may not try since I don't know anyone studying in RGS.  Based on my experience, I think that pastrol care is more important than the ranking of the school.  

I would have confidence if someone whose kid studying here would recommend others to study this school.  Otherwise, it is quite risky to rely on the ranking to select such a school though there is limited choice of state boarding schools with high rankings.  

Lomama99

回復 odelia_ho 的帖子

Hi odelia,

RGS did not mention in their reply where the other applicants came from and my son was not put on the waiting list either.

I have good impression on RGS because we had visited the school in Dec. 2012.  The Director of Boarding met us personally and introduced to us the boarding house patiently and in details (he even showed us the weekly menu).  Though not big (they got only 70 boarders), the place is decent and tidy.  He then asked a sixth former whom he met outside the boarding house to take us walk around the school.  I still remembered the boy is so gentleman, sincere and always has a smile on his face that I very much hope my son can be like him when he grows up .  It is after this visit that my son did not resist studying abroad.

odelia_ho

CPU1995 發表於 13-5-13 13:57
I may not try since I don't know anyone studying in RGS.  Based on my experience, I think that past ...

Yes, agreed
I've just seen Lomama99's comments, it's quite possitive.  Give me more confidence to apply this school

odelia_ho

Lomama99 發表於 13-5-13 15:07
回復 odelia_ho 的帖子

Hi odelia,

Hi Lomama99,
Thank you for your comments. It's useful
Any other schools be your target?  Would you please share?

CPU1995

HI Odelia,

The school visit would normally give a good impression of the school concerned.  

I would ask the school concerned the following questions before enrollment:
- whether the school would have compulsory ECAs after school
- whether the school would offer any extra tuition for weak subjects
- whether the school would allow students go outside to shop around or take meals after school during week days.
-whether the school would allow the student to sit for extra subject in public exam

If the student has great autonomy in his boarding life without any compulsory ECAs after school, I would not consider this kind of school.

odelia_ho

CPU1995 發表於 13-5-13 19:31
HI Odelia,

The school visit would normally give a good impression of the school concerned.  

Hi CPU1995,
Thank you for your advice.  I think the above criteria are compulsory in most of the boarding schools, except students could have meals outside schools during weekdays.  Isn't it?  For the exam matter, please advise more? Are most of the schools not allow students to take extra subjects?  I have no idea about this. How is the progress of applying schools for your younger son?
Cheers,
odelia_ho  

CPU1995

Actually my experience told me that some state boarding schools would have no compulsory ECA after school, no extra tuition for weak subjects, free to go outside school until 9:30 pm, not allow taking exam in extra subject if not covered in school syllabus, one subject one textbook.

My younger son is admitted by one ind school ranking within 100 for year 9 either in 2013 or 2014.  I have paid about 4,000 pounds deposit.  

Anyway, I would try to apply one or two state schools later with good pastoral care and word of mouth in Sept.  Ranking within 600 is acceptable if it can save me 22000 pounds a year.

Lomama99

odelia_ho 發表於 13-5-13 18:08
Hi Lomama99,
Thank you for your comments. It's useful
Any other schools be your target?  Woul ...

Hi Odelia,

We only made up our mind to let our son studying abroad in late August 2012.  As there is not much time for detailed research, we just simply looked up the school list of the state boarding school's association and then contact those with 2012 FT ranking 1,000 or above thru' our agent.  There are actually not many of them, and after excluding those which did not response, told us that their places were full, required us to sit exam in UK, etc., I think my son took exams/interview for six schools.  As my son's English is really not so good, he was only accepted by Old Swinford Hospital in Stourbridge (we will resit the English paper of Lancaster Royal Grammar School later in May/June).  We have accepted Old Swinford's offer and will accompany him to UK in late August.  

Just my own experience and hope this is of use!

RobertPaPa

回復 Lomama99 的帖子

My son was also accepted by Old Swinford Hospital , it is a good school. But I have chose another state school instead.

lamb2003

回復 Lomama99 的帖子

Lomama99,Would you please pm the name of your agent to me? I am looking for some agents who can help me find some good state boarding schools. Thanks!