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Original poster

SW/W London Independent Schools thread part two

629 replies

Chillaxalready · 09/02/2015 20:09

There. I've done it and started one.
1001 messages and counting!

OP posts:
Chocfinger · 28/02/2015 17:29

Dark, I feel your pain! And what oh what will we do if our DDs get off Putney wait List?! I suspect I will choose two and let DD decide which one

Pop1ns · 28/02/2015 17:20

Emptycoffeepot-thanks for your reply and I agree with everything you wrote.As a rule of thumb the cost of living doubles every 7 years so we could be looking at 10k per term in the final year.Gulp!!!

mertonmama · 28/02/2015 16:54

I do think PHS is the one for us but think that IRL people think we would be mad to pay for Putney when we might be able to have Tiffin for free.

We do have the money and I'm almost certain it's worth it for the all round experience and better commute but just have a niggling doubt. First world problem of course.

castlesintheair · 28/02/2015 16:48

mertonmama, I know 2 real sweeties at PHS. One will be going into Year 7 in September. It's a really nice year apparently.

And I totally agree with other posters, if it comes to a choice and all other things are equal, go with distance. I can't believe one of my friends is turning down one of her daughter's choices as it's too near Confused

Elibean · 28/02/2015 15:38

DarkBlue Grin

You sound like my dd, who hates decisions (as do I, but luckily this one's not mine to make!). Painful, eh? Good luck, I'm sure it will all feel right once made!

Elibean · 28/02/2015 15:37

mertonmama, my niece is in Y8 at PHS and thriving - it wasn't necessarily her parents' first choice (she had several offers) but now she's there, my brother and sil both say the short travel is worth its weight in offers! There are lots of evening/weekend/late things to do, travel counts more than they realised.

mertonmama · 28/02/2015 11:21

Marsden - your description of Putney fits exactly with everything I've heard from current parents. Buzzy, busy and fun - exactly what DD needs.

Really interesting to see the Tiffin discussion. I think DD is in with a chance as she got a strong 1st round score and has done well in the indie exams. Having paid the Putney deposit we're almost 100% committed but part of me thinks is she got a place we ought to have a proper look at TGS just to validate our decision. Like others I've never had a good look at the school - open day didn't show it at its best I think.

emptycoffeepot · 28/02/2015 11:09

Thanks. Yes, can see how that can happen if weighing indie versus state selective. It's one way to decide, though not ideal. Would prefer to make up our minds sooner. Hopefully we will. Smile

Original poster
Chillaxalready · 28/02/2015 10:30

Emptycoffeepot - most people would accept the indie place and then if the grammar comes through also accept that place. They would then see how the morning goes in June/July at the grammar and then make up their mind.

If they don't want the grammar place then, they have the security of their indie place. If they then decline the indie they have spent a total of deposit + one term's fees for the remainder of their DCs secondary education!!

And I am sure there are many who are happy to take a surprise late grammar place! I used to teach at Tiffin Girls' and there were occasionally children who just didn't turn up on the first day of the term (hard to believe, but true. Certainly wouldn't advise this because it means you have someone getting an offer after the start of term which isn't ideal)

OP posts:
emptycoffeepot · 28/02/2015 10:00

Yes, but not before March 5, which is deposit deadline for KGS. If DS gets place we will certainly try to talk to them as we have others.

castlesintheair · 28/02/2015 09:54

emptycoffeepot, if your DS is offered a place at Tiffin they get a chance to spend a morning/afternoon there.

emptycoffeepot · 28/02/2015 09:31

Pop1ns

Tiffin is free and may stretch DS more academically. There could be more like-minded geeks, too. But it's bigger and DS may struggle more socially if he doesn't find friends, join choir or do rugby, which are popular ways to mix. DCs are more scattered, many not local.

KGS costs money - probably about 140k over 7 years excluding extras. It is strong academically, and has a good reputation for maths, which DS loves, as well as DT. Smaller classes, clubs, gentler feel may make it a better bet for shy DS, whose happiness and confidence ranks as most important factor for us.

Thing is you can get a very good look at KGS before you join. But next to impossible to get a real feel for Tiffin as the "open day" is a once a year scrum where we saw very little. What we know about is garnered from snatched limited number of conversations with parents of DCs there.

MarsdenMarcher · 28/02/2015 08:32

Purple, even!

MarsdenMarcher · 28/02/2015 08:31

My DD finished at PHS last year, having enjoyed junior, senior and swanky 6th form centre. Hope your DD enjoys it Mertonmama - there are so many clubs and activities to take part in, I'm sure that shorter journey will be the best decision.

New uniform too - we missed that. Though obviously had the pruple and grey

GJHmum1 · 28/02/2015 07:57

Phew our decision made and LU accepted! Thanks to everyone on this thread for support and opinions - it's been fantastic x

Original poster
Chillaxalready · 28/02/2015 00:40

DarkBlueEyes it feels great to have made a decision! Go with your gut - you fought so hard to get off the SHS wait-list and there must have been a reason you did...
DD getting so excited about WHS. There was no way we would take KGS after her experience of the 11+ process...!!

OP posts:
Pop1ns · 27/02/2015 21:17

Emptycoffeepot,may I ask you if you get Tiffin which will you choose and why?

wheresthebeach · 27/02/2015 19:02

Hey Dark...did you have a school visit today?

DarkBlueEyes · 27/02/2015 18:45

Gggggaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!

BlushBlushBlushBlushBlushBlushBlushBlushBlush

And that is all. I DO have to make a decision, right? ConfusedConfusedConfusedConfused

Elibean · 27/02/2015 18:25

Emo I love your dd's criteria - she will go far Smile

mertonmama · 27/02/2015 17:44

Emo - best wishes to your DD as well. An extra 30 mins in bed swung it for DD. I still have a pang about JAGS but I'll get over it....

Emo76 · 27/02/2015 17:40

DD is going to Alleyn's. She chose it on basis of cooking classes and Costa coffee for the sixth form... Hope your DD has many happy years at Putney!

mertonmama · 27/02/2015 17:20

We're off to Putney! How about you?

Emo76 · 27/02/2015 17:16

mertonmama where did you/DD choose in the end?

mertonmama · 27/02/2015 16:48

We've sent in our acceptance and released everything else. DD now obsessing about uniform and wants to know why I won't order it NOW! There's a lot of growing time between now and September DD!