Sutton, Wallington,Wilsons Test 1 Results

I've been thinking about this a lot (of course!) and it does seem to me that while passing the grammar school exams does, of course, state that you're a very bright kid, not passing them doesn't really tell us much: it might mean a bad day, it might mean that, while bright, they're not in the toppest of the top (which I always knew about DC, so I'm very much at peace with that), it might mean that he has latent potential that he's not yet matured sufficiently to use, it might mean that his intelligence is directed at things that aren't tested in grammar school exams.

I didn't do well enough in the old-fashioned 11+ in 1974 to get a free place at the local swots' school and had to go on a fee-paying place instead, but as a mature student I got a First (I'd never have got one if I'd gone to university straight out from school). I think what the teachers couldn't predict was that I just didn't hit my peak till I was much older.

Don't think so, and ds's teacher asked for copies of the emails for comparison purposes. I believe that the school may have contacted parents after National Offer day if they didn't get Wilsons, and then the email was in bands (a muppet, if you have put us first you would have got a place, so think about the waiting list, b you have a chance from the waiting list, c only the most optimistic person ever would think you would get in).

WCGS and Wilsons were fairly different in terms of English I thought, and I suspect the standardisation process may have played a significant role there. In any event, these exams are a different ballgame from the indies, which seem to give more opportunity to show what you can do (whereas I think mc tends to show more what you can't do).

The Wilson letter we got is standard too; "pleased to inform.....this is a significant achievement considering the competition...."

Hi,

Is anyone aware of any "banding" in the Wilson's results email? I read in another thread here from the results that came out last year there were three groups of email response, with the one that was mentioned being more encouraging.

The email that I got seemed to be a standard " I am very pleased to inform you that your son passed the entrance examinations for Wilson’s School. "

would love to here whether anyone got a different response?

Yes, unless we go independent, we're in precisely the position you describe, willemdefoeismine - assuming DS has not passed WCGS, no hope of getting our top two comps, though we've put them anyway; I believe two places out of 184 tend to go to our deanery for the second two; and we're a long way from evens on five and six, neither of which we like.

It's funny even in the year of the fiasco 11+ sittings, I seem to recall that WCGS was pretty quick off the mark with results etc....

Yes, there's no rhyme or reason to the results at all. DS has a super-brain in his class who didn't pass WCGS.....it's a bit of a lottery and so much depends on how the DCs are feeling on the day....

At least you are in a much, much better position than many parents whose DCs didn't pass any of the 11+ exams. Imagine trying to fill 6 CAF slots with comps you'd be happy (and stand a chance of getting a place at) to send your DS(s) to! Yikes! Our only comp option last year was acceptable to us and DS and relatively good but DS still was adamant he didn't want to go there!

Good luck everyone....

It's funny even in the year of the fiasco 11+ sittings, I seem to recall that WCGS was pretty quick off the mark with results etc....

Yes, there's no rhyme or reason to the results at all. DS has a super-brain in his class who didn't pass WCGS.....it's a bit of a lottery and so much depends on how the DCs are feeling on the day....

At least you are in a much, much better position than many parents whose DCs didn't pass any of the 11+ exams. Imagine trying to fill 6 CAF slots with comps you'd be happy (and stand a chance of getting a place at) to send your DS(s) to! Yikes! Our only comp option last year was acceptable to us and DS and relatively good but DS still was adamant he didn't want to go there!

Good luck everyone!

Unfortunately, I am at home all day again tied to laptop working, which is the worst place for me to be. Let's just hope they're out by lunchtime, or I will really be feeling the strain by early afternoon!

Ok, I'm busier tomorrow so it will be easier to ignore the constant need to refresh. And I've broken the back of the other 2 supplementary information forms that I need to do plus side letters.

Always hard to tell how dcs will do in different tests on different days. I think it is all a lot more random than we would like to think.

DH rang WCGS today and asked if they were coming out "because my wife is stuck in the house working on an essay and is slowly having a nervous breakdown with checking her email all the time". The lovely lady apparently said they will be out tomorrow. Since DS didn't pass Wilson's, I'm not really looking forward to getting the WCGS results as I don't really want to have to see his disappointed little face again as he tries to be stoic (*sniffs and reaches for hankie) if he doesn't pass. Which, as I suspect, he won't. Good luck to all and I'll be thrilled for everyone who gets good news. xx

I think it is just one thing off a list. They've had plenty of time, or if they needed more then they could have tested earlier. Deadline for other school supplementary forms are this week (some yesterday), so yes, it is inconvenient. It's all very well if you are assured of a place at a local school, but not everyone is in that position, so will definitely want to fill all 6 spaces on a CAF. I'm not suggesting that they've done it deliberately, and obviously they're entitled to wait until 31st October. It's just a shame because otherwise they've really improved from previous years.

I wouldn't place too much 'negativity' on their results being out a bit later......You still will get the CAF in on time even if the results don't come out until Thursday surely? Presumably most of you have your preferences listed give or take the WCGS for Boys results? It only means a bit of rejigging of the form online or in hard copy? Have faith and patience... .

1st round results were out a day early, and Wally Girls out a week early, Wilsons out a day early. Whilst it may be unfair to compare Wally Boys with the other schools, they are looking very slow in comparison to Wilsons. The only other school that people are waiting for is Tiffin Girls I think, and their test was later. Would really like to get my CAF in this week.

Really bad admin at WCGS , Wilson's turned this round in less than 10 days

Anyone know why the Wallington results didn't get emailed today?

Good luck to everyone at Wilson's test tomorrow - DH is officially a hero for getting up and taking DS to the exam so I don't have to

Hi Wilson's test second round tomorrow, rumor that the English test will be comprehension and written piece. Have not heard any detail on the Maths. Good luck all.

my son is in Wally Boys - pastoral care is much better that in Wally Girls - that's where my kids are

I feel an earlier start to KS4 gave my some greater focus
we had workshop this week on how is maths structured, what are reasons for grouping boys in sets as they are etc - nothing that detailed ever was offered in WG

we had parents meeting with head, head of year and and form tutors every year in september
information is always up to date and emails are reaching me well in time about changes and any updates I need to know

I am sure Wilsons does similar communication, just don't know anyone to compare :)

my son was also offered chance to change options subjects within blocks - having that options made him very happy about his choices as he had chance to try subjects and opt for another one (he didn't in the end but was nearly convinced to change Art to Classics)

Hi Legallady, good news for your DS! I think the 'new blood' of a younger, new Head will make a big difference in years to come!

DS just started at WCGS in September and although it wasn't the grammar we thought we wanted for him it is starting to look as if he may have ended up in the right place anyway! Although it is still very early days, we have been very impressed with communication from the school - lots of information, workshops etc. The school have also been excellent about putting boys who travel from the same direction in the same form - fantastic for helping them settle in.

I started a thread last year asking why Wally boys never seemed to be the number 1 choice (though people did correct me on that). I'm not sure that that will change overnight but the head is passionate about the school and that does come across when he speaks. League tables will always play their part however and Wilsons does seem to have forged ahead in recent years. That said, WCGS were higher up in the tables than SGS for A levels this year but there really isn't much between them. We're hoping that we might have struck it lucky though!

I'm afraid that I don't know the cause for so many leaving at once - it is a large school and sometimes these things happen! Current parents all seem happy, but given rising population especially over the next 7 years I do wonder what the schools will look like by the time the current crop of year 6s reach A levels (assuming such things still exist!).

We were certainly impressed with the crop of 6th formers in evidence today, all very switched on, and ready to help/herd parents who were standing in the wrong queue etc.

Well I think you're right Ladymuck! The League Tables don't tell the whole story, do they? It's very narrow-minded to think that a school is nothing but the sum of its academic parts, albeit excellent ones!

Any reason why Wilsons lost two deputy heads and five or six heads of department - that sounds like a mass cull or exodus????

Good luck to your DS2, Ladymuck. We've got to go thro' all this, although from a different perspective with DD in a few years .

They've now gone for the 2 year ks3, 3 year ks4 model used by Wilsons, Pates etc, so I suspect they'll see an improvement in grades from that alone. Wilsons lost 2 deputy heads and 5 or 6 head of department a year or so ago. And they've had to increase by another form, so 120 to 180 in 10 years or so.

Let's say I think that those parents who only look at league tables may not be considering all of the factors which will influence the education of boys starting next year.

I think there will be a huge turnaround with Wallington with the new Head, don't you Ladymuck? Give it a few years and wouldn't surprise me if it doesn't become the super-selective of choice.

Hope your DS did more than a doodle, Ladymuck?