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Original poster

peter symonds winchester views?

114 replies

lorimeed · 14/01/2015 19:46

Looking at Peter Symonds for my daughters sixth form but have heard varied things! She's very academic and currently at private school on a academic scholarship with Oxbridge aspirations but I've heard many people struggle making the transition from private to a large college? Views and general opinions please :)

OP posts:
GentlyBenevolent · 28/01/2015 11:29

Molio Anyhow, I agree that four arts A2s is probably enough of a workload without adding in the EP.

So do I! Sadly not everyone sees it that way...:(

Molio · 28/01/2015 10:45

Of course they're generalizations uilen and I'm aware from my own area that the Telegraph generalizes, but in a sense it has to, given the space available for these articles. But the article chimed with my own knowledge about the EP sometimes swinging an offer, although that experience is limited to the humanities, admittedly. I haven't a clue about the mathsy subjects. Again in the arts and humanities there can be a clear reluctance to talk about the EP, indeed some tutors say that at the introductory session and explain why. Anecdotally, ranging further out of my comfort zone, I was told that a peer of DD produced her EP at her medicine interview and was told firmly to put it away, for level playing ground purposes. Brenda did say her DC was doing arts, and so.... Anyhow, I agree that four arts A2s is probably enough of a workload without adding in the EP.

BrendaBlackhead · 28/01/2015 09:37

And sometimes it's pure advertorial for private schools.

uilen · 28/01/2015 09:26

Molio, both of your statements are over-generalizations. EP has no impact at all on admissions for some subjects (e.g. maths, physics, engineering) but is indeed often talked about in interview. The Telegraph is also renowned for its over-generalizations in its education pages.

Molio · 28/01/2015 08:47

Brenda there was an article in the Telegraph education section recently saying exactly the opposite - that for Oxford and a few other 'top' universities the EP can be the deciding factor. I'm not a linker, but it will be there if you're interested. I think the school may have it wrong about being useful for interview too, as on the whole the tutors prefer to keep the playing field level so tend not to ask about the subject matter of the EP.

BrendaBlackhead · 28/01/2015 08:26

I agree - in the Lower Sixth (at an all girls' superselective grammar school) we were wild back in the 80s. Ds has never been to a party! He did have half a Budweiser after the Prom - and played cards with his mates.

Anyway, just asked ds about the EP and he said that they can do it if they have a burning passion about something, but have been advised that although it's something to talk about at interview, (top) universities are not fussed.

Velvetbee · 28/01/2015 08:23

Sorry Lorimeed, didn't get back to you. I've interrogated DS this morning and he says that no one in his friend group takes drugs. He knows of 3 students out of his 4 classes who have been stoned/said they had been smoking in college time.

He's been to 1 party since September and they didn't even get properly drunk, frankly I'm a bit perplexed. They seem so much more innocent than we were.

BrendaBlackhead · 28/01/2015 08:19

Ds has not mentioned anything, but then again he is intending to take 4 arts A Levels to A2 so an EP would break the camel's back I'd've thought.

JWIM · 28/01/2015 08:06

The EP has been an option for DD at PS in Y13 now so I would think it is also an option for the current Y12. If I recall it was this time last year when DD said it was being talked about in tutor time etc.

TalkinPeace · 27/01/2015 22:49

I could ask DD but as I've just finished work for the night it will have to wait till morning Smile

Draylon · 27/01/2015 22:22

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TalkinPeace · 27/01/2015 22:16
Grin Then again it might be that DD is exempted as she is doing 5 AS
Draylon · 27/01/2015 21:54

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TalkinPeace · 27/01/2015 20:26

PS dropped General Studies last year : the AS students are not doing it and no sign of an Extended project.

I drove past St Swithuns today on my way to and from work. Waved to OP

BrendaBlackhead · 27/01/2015 11:09

I agree that the OP does sound a bit like a teenager, what with all those exclamation marks and the upswing question in the second sentence of the initial post.

I showed this thread to ds. He howled. There are different groups of people, just like any institution. I don't doubt there are hellraisers at St Swithun's. Probably just very rich hellraisers.

Draylon · 27/01/2015 10:55

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RufusTheReindeer · 26/01/2015 21:44

Know this thread isn't really active at the moment but BP are sticking with the AS levels

Lolapopflower · 26/01/2015 18:51

lorimeed

Lolapopflower · 26/01/2015 18:49

Lorimeed

Lolapopflower · 26/01/2015 18:49

That was directed @lorimeed
To be honest your posts sound like your dd is writing them herself and having a bragging competition against everybody else...

Lolapopflower · 26/01/2015 13:45

I personally think that your daughter sounds like an arrogant brat. Send her to a state school and knock a bit of common sense into her.

TalkinPeace · 19/01/2015 19:18

I know he went to Barton, but Mr Firth is in the news talking about it again (he went to Kings before that BTW)
www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-30885780

TalkinPeace · 19/01/2015 19:11

Draylon
I did not mean it as a stealth boast - honest !
There is orchestra that evening that DD has been involved with for years.

She's planning to apply to Cambridge anyway and because of DHs work she's well aware of how RG Unis operate already.

Draylon · 19/01/2015 18:57

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TalkinPeace · 19/01/2015 18:24

Aha, yup. DD did not do it as it clashes with other commitments Smile

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