DD got KGS10+, applying elsewhere?

[tess73]

We are in the fortunate position that dd got into KGS via the 10+ this year. I really like the school and paid the deposit to secure her place but am now wondering whether we should keep our options open.
I haven't prepped her for NVR so too late for Tiffin and would prefer mixed to all girls anyway. Similarly she didn't like LEH and i wasn't keen either. Surbiton High, lovely but i wouldn't choose it over KGS.
Am i missing any?
Tempted by St Paul's but feel it is too far and having done little tuition this year and state school she probably doesn't have a chance!
We are twickenham/teddington based.
TIA.

[Pop1ns]

By what you have written it seems that KGS is the right choice for you.If you are uncertain you might wanted to do the guided tour again as KGS will be doing these again during working lessons next term.When we went we found the boys/girls delightful so confident,well spoken and knowledgeable.It was this that made us feel we had made the right choice(DS has 10+ place too).
If you want another option try Ibstock(co-ed) although I think KGS is more academic.

[Pinkfizzy]

Have a friend in silmilar situation a couple of years back. DF & her DD both convinced that coed generally & KGS specifically best for them. They then toured LEH , Surbiton & KGS again from position of offers to all & chose LEH. My point being that a year is a long time in a child's life and maturity & you dont actually need to make up your mind till end Feb. Oh and my DC go to KGS...

[Pop1ns]

The kids we met had turned down SHS,Tiffin,Latymer and Hampton.It is personal preference and gut instinct.Let us know what you decide to do.

[tess73]

thanks all, maybe we should do LEH esp with the new Wimbledon High head coming in the feel of the school may change. It's also probably the easiest to get to geographically. I wouldn't go less academic than KGS for DD so have ruled out ibstock, st george's weybridge etc.
I guess i'm feeling uneasy only because other people assume she's going for Tiffin, LEH etc and look a bit surprised when i say no. i want to make sure i'm not just taking the easy route of the school she already has!

[tess73]

Actually you know i am worried about applying to LEH. Firstly DD doesn't want to go there and will be resistant to doing the NVR prep required (don' t need it for KGS).
Then if she does get it, i know i'll feel pressured to take it - on paper it is a better school. Why i think not applying is a better option, i don't know writing it down is helping me sort out my head!
I also know DH will hate LEH, the pursuit of "excellence" "world class" shiny parquet floors and gleaming rows of apple macs. He liked KGS for the down to earth "normal school" feeling of it.

[LIZS]

I guess i'm feeling uneasy only because other people assume she's going for Tiffin, LEH etc and look a bit surprised when i say no. i want to make sure i'm not just taking the easy route of the school she already has! Ignore them , they are probably just surprised and that you have things sorted already. If you, dh and dd are happy with KGS , let her enjoy her year 6 while others sweat.

[Pinkfizzy]

Agreed - gut instinct is what it came down to for us AND for my friend.
Very happy indeed with KGS.

[Pinkfizzy]

We also had the massed assumptions about DC, said v little other than we chose the right school for us. We also considered SPS & SPGS as well as the others mentioned, but quality of life (travelling, after school activities) & general independence from day one as it's so local were all important factors. You will know which works best and feels best. And a fab position to be in!

[tess73]

thanks all - to those of you with DCs at KGS a couple of honest questions, feel free to PM me if you prefer.

1. are the girls more interested in boys than those going to all girls schools? is there a lot of girlfriend/boyfriend stuff going on iykwim!
   
2. is it a better school for boys than it is for girls? I've been following KGS this year on Twitter and apart from the rower Flo, most of the tweets seem to be about boys' activities. That's not the impression i got when i visited, but something i'm wary of.
   Thanks this is all so helpful.

[tess73]

well if i had any concerns they are gone. AMAZING set of A level results this year. well done KGS!

[cakeisalwaystheanswer]

A*'s look low, 18% against a national average of 8.3 seems low for a very selective school. Hampton has 32%, LEH over 30, SPGS will be over 50.

I must say, Hinchley Wood, our local comp results are very impressive. 35% A*/A and 2 going to Oxford. I wonder why I pay school fees sometimes. Well done to them.

[Pop1ns]

Where did you get the info from t73 and cake?

[tess73]

It's on the website. 18% A*, 45% A, 26% B
I think that's pretty good...

[tess73]

www.kgs.org.uk/Examination-Results

[Pop1ns]

Thanks

[cakeisalwaystheanswer]

KGS results at combined A/A are pretty much the same as St Georges and Ibstock, 60% and 58% respectively against 63%, neither have published a A/A breakdown yet. I'm confused because you didn't think they were academic enough, but you think KGS's A level results are amazing. Ibstock had very similar results to KGS last year, and St Georges have improved significantly this year. If you factor in that both these schools have their own preps with most going on to the senior schools and KGS are completely selective at 11+ you would expect a much bigger gap.

SPGS A level results will be in a different league, as will number of Oxbridge offers. Their results will truly be amazing if that is what you are looking for.

[cakeisalwaystheanswer]

Have you looked at Latymer Tess, that should be commutable from Twickenham? Their results are 35% A and 75% A/A combined. I would expect them to have a similar cohort to KGS but they have almost double the A* percentage. Latymer is very much THE school to get into at the moment and everyone who visits loves it.

If you're not set on co-ed, what about SWPS?

[tess73]

Ok thanks clearly need to get busy this term on open days...

[Realhousewifeofealing]

Have to disagree about Latymer - I hated it - full of its own importance .... An odious place - about the only school we didn't apply to ( my opinion only - obviously many will disagree )

[Marni23]

Yep, I'm going to disagree! DS about to go into Y8 at Latymer and we couldn't be happier with it. Definitely not full of it's own importance (if it was we'd hate it), on the contrary we've found it very down-to-earth. DS loves it and is thriving academically and socially. I'd definitely go to the open day tess73

[Pinkfizzy]

Go with your gut instinct.

If you have a child who got in via 10+, they could have matured early, or they may be well and truly likely to get all A* with any decent school. In which case it is not about the whole group results, but the individual - those of your child. The question then becomes: where is my child going to be happiest and most likely to reach their potential? Which school's ethos matches what I aspire to for my child?

Mine had their pick, and we came to a common decision, based on how we felt going round the schools, talking to students and teachers. I was quite stressed about the choice at the same point in time that you are at in some ways,but having an offer in hand tends to make you a bit clearer sighted about what really matters to your family.

(Hope that doesn't sound like stealth boasting ...)

[tess73]

thanks all, you're being really helpful.
one thing the KGS said last year which stuck with me was that their intake is top 25% academically, not top 5% or less which is the case for hampton, leh and Tiffin.
I have seen that in the admissions process. KGS interviewed the top 40 from the 10+ and offered to 20.
Hampton just offered to the top 20/25 in the exam. no selection based on anything other than academics.
I know amazing all rounders who applied to LEH and didn't get it as their NVR knocked them under the cut off when reordered after interview. These are girls who got 6's in SATS, county sports, grade 3 music etc... I get the impression KGS weighs up the whole child in their process.

[cakeisalwaystheanswer]

Surbiton have announced their results now with nearly half of A levels at A*/A. When you factor in that they are a fee paying selective(ish) school it does make Hinchley Wood Comp's results look incredible. This supports Pinkfizzy's comment that bright children do well anywhere, something I wholeheartedly agree with.

From a 13+ perspective I would disagree about Hampton, they take at least the top 50% locally, but that's probably top 25% ability nationally. DS's friends who went there from an admittedly very academic prep at 13+ are actually shocked at how wide the ability intake is. Hampton do interview for 11+ and 13+ entry and I'm sure being strong at sports adds a few points to your application. LEH, nothing would surprise me.

[jonnyappleseed]

I wouldn't put so much weight to the NVR at LEH. It's a school that really knows what it is looking for and is highly skilled in seeking out girls with potential that they know will thrive there. It's not just about level 6 SATS or grade 3 piano or even about high NVR scores. It's absolutely about the whole child. I'd argue the interview counts for an awful lot too. (I have 2 there, so am very familiar with the process and obviously know a lot of pupils and parents as a result)

[Pop1ns]

Good post Pinkfizzy.
Tess73-I did not realise the KGS 10+ process was like this.I thought they divided the top 40 into general and subject interviews taking 20 from the former and 5 from the latter.
Like Pinkfizzy I do not want to stealth boast but went to ,a highly selective boys school.This is not the school for DS,he has different qualities.I think he will benefit from co-ed and the great pastoral care of KGS.
We need to choose a school that will suit your DC and not suit your own ideals.In a nutshell,horses for courses.