SW/W London Independent Schools thread part two

ladies - cover ratio of 2.5x or 2.0 is not how they operate. think about a school that wants to take 100 kids ideally. they can't send 200-250 offers out there. if they have 20% miss on their stats (which could easily happen, after all is statistics) they end up with another 20-25 kids (i.e 120-125 in total) which they can't put to into the existing 4 classes (take 30 kids per class instead of 25 - parents will be very upset) or add another whole class (no space). It does not work that way.

notenoughsleep - have pm'd you

Grateful for an insight. First time round this system with my eldest DD. We only applied to 2 private and she was offered a full fee place at JAGS and wait listed for Alleyns. Currently at a state primary and will wait for her state offers. St Marylebone C of E, Graveney, Grey Coat's are our top 3 on that list. I feel confused by the whole system and process. She was set on Alleyns as her top choice until exam day. She hated the day there but felt ok at the interview. JAGS was a wild card and she came skipping out from the exam day and loved the whole experience and kids who went there, which isn't at all what we expected. So we are all pleased with the JAGS offer. But, if she gets one of her top 3 state (all good schools) what to do? My other two kids are boys and we don't have as many good state options for them, so we will most likely go private for them unless she goes to Graveney. There's only a 2 day lapse to decide after the state offers come, so trying to get my head around it all. Anyone out there who can give me insight about the above schools mentioned. I really appreciate it.

Ouch is right! That's terrible!

All members of my family are now fed up with discussing the topic- whilst I research good schools guide etc! Thank goodness for you all on mumsnet.

I am in two minds about pushing the Putney waitlist. I am anxious that If I express enthusiasm but then don't take up the place (should we get an offer) and go for KGS that my DD2 's application- this coming year- might be be looked at unfavourably. Unfortunately we do not have a common surname!! Equally my DD preferred Putney but really remains pretty indifferent to all but LEH (waitlist again)??

I deffo agree that once term gets under way, no one has any idea who was on the wait list. If I asked DS who is in Y9 if he knew, I guarantee you he would look completely blank, because once you are there the whole focus is on moving forward. Also, to make you feel better, DS waltzed into a school quite easily and is now in the bottom maths set, while one of his mates, who had a specialist maths interview as he was apparently v borderline, is in a higher set. I think my DS had a good day on the day of the exam and his mate had a bad day - but it doesn't set you in stone for the next 5 years, and once you start its all a level playing field.

I know its horrible, because I've been there and it was really stressful, but if you like the school, hang in there.

I also know its tempting to be a bit about a school that didn't offer your child a place, but in the long run my own experience was that its probably better to suck it up. If anyone wants an example of spectacular mis-administration, we were on a waitlist for a-g-e-s, had quite a lot of conversations with the school, they said we'll let you know if anything comes up, you are definitely our first port of call etc. They then sent us some new Y7 joiners info by email. We got all excited and phoned up and said, oh - does that mean a place has come up and they said - whoops, no, sorry - sent in error - that was just for people who , you know, have a place - you don't. Ouch!

I wonder whether privately owned housing makes her froth at the mouth with rage as well? If all the money that was poured into buying houses went into social housing instead...well, I don't need to go on, do I? Hard to see how someone could hold one opinion without also holding the other....

looks nervously around for the topic police

misspantomime wrote: private schools genuinely make me froth at the mouth with rage. If all the money that was poured into them went into the state school system, then every single child in this country would have an equal education regardless of their wealth or background.

Really? You might like to do some sums and work out that this is nowhere near correct.

I would not send my DC to a private school even if I was a billionaire.

Mmmm I think you would and would put money on that, but then we're never going to find out...

My best friend went to city of london school for girls and was so badly bullied and pressured there that she ended up with a stomach ulcer and ended up dropping out and repeating her A levels at a state comp.

So one unfortunate example extrapolates to the entire universe of private schools!!??

NWgirls - you are correct.

However I would add that the school we are about to say no to their offer had been not great in their communication including sending out details of the sports scholarship day just a few days before the offer day - which you could quite easily assume meant you probably had an offer coming in a few days time, which was not necessarily true! My older DS goes to the school and the communication over the last 5 years has always continued an amateurish pattern at times, with very late notice of match timings etc.

So, whilst I wouldnt let something like this put me off the school entirely, poor communication now could actually be a foretaste of poor communication to come.

... is NOT one ...

Chillax - glad you are happy with your choice. But I really hope that your emotional reaction (feeling like a second class citizen, apparent bitterness and taking personal offence) is one that other readers with a preference for schools for which they are waitlisted will copy. This is the way the process is, just now the schools are waiting for a wave of rejected offers from kids, and spaces will hopefully open up for DC (high) on the waiting list by early March. Once they start school nobody knows or cares if your DC came in off the WL or got a straight offer - they really are all 1st class then. People really should not let the ups and downs of this imperfect process affect their true preferences for this important decision.

Kingscote - I don't think there were many WHS scholarships this year. The only one I've heard of was for 5% and I don't think the family will take it.

Chillax congratulations on accepting WHS - a fantastic school and we would have bitten their hand off if we'd been offered a scholarship there.

It seems that every other person I've talked to this week had a great story about the school and (in particular) the new head!

I completely understand Chillaxalready and believe I would have felt the same way in your situation and to some degree do feel resentful to be put on the waiting list. The interview at KGS did not go too well for my DC but that was because the old gentleman interviewing him did not engage well as he could have done. Lord only knows what criteria are used to determine who gets an offer, waiting list or is declined. My reasoning for pursuing with KGS is that the other offers we have are for good schools but not as good as KGS. Coming from the state sector this school just fits.

Twickers-we were told by HM that KGS want maximum of 112ish in year 7.There are about 20 from 10+ so that leaves 92 places.The have a 55/45% split,I do not have a calculator to hand but make it roughly 48 boys and 44 girls.In the real world most schools seem to want to cover 2.5x places so according to your figures the true picture is 230offers or 200 offers and 30 waiting...I think,do not take this as gospel.

Twickers - I know of children who had a no after a KGS interview in previous years, so it certainly used to be the case.

Good luck!

I'm the old Dolphin from earlier up thread. Hope the girls who sat got in and congrats to those with places.

Morning all,

Thank you for those encouraging words, I have started drafting an email already :)

I have one question that is niggling at the back of my mind, KGS interviewed about 350 children of which they made offers to 180 – 200 children. Are the remaining 150+ children all placed on the waiting list? I have not heard of any child being told it’s a ‘No’ after an interview. On the day of the interview, we did speak to the Head and he did say that there would be some children they would have to decline even after an interview but not sure if this is the case as I don't believe I have come across this scenario from the mumsnet threads I’ve read.
Just trying to figure out how long the waiting list could be...

I've got experienced of having a child on the waiting list at one of these schools and can say that the prep school head did not make any calls on our behalf. Instead, Dh and I did and we were successful. Good luck, be prepared to lose your deposit at the school you accept an offer from first, and stock up on wine!

Twickers, wheresthebeach and Chocfinger, and anyone else who's on a waiting list - please don't despair. We were in this position two years ago. DD on a waiting list for her top school and the second choice asking for a term's fees as well as a deposit. DD was offered a place at the number 1 school within a week, and I think what helped was letting them know how much we felt that particular school was right for our particular child. I wrote to the registrar straight away saying why it was our top (and, if I'm honest, only real) choice, and then called a few days later and had quite a long chat with her, and it was clear that schools want families who really want to be there. We got an offer later that day. It was a horribly anxious week though.

I know three other families who had similar experiences. Obviously no one wants to be pushy and annoying, but it is definitely worth making it clear how much you value what they have to offer, and what a great fit you feel it would be.

Twickers, I am assuming the prep heads do this where it is your child's first choice- surely part of the package...But just not sure what difference it makes??
I have emailed our top school a number of times now and phoned twice to ask where dd is on wait list and how very much she wants to come. Debating whether to press send on a 'did you know this about my child?' email as pretty sure her school reference won't have included what she does out of school hours such as music grades, sport, sport and more sport.

Thanks Ealing. I've looked at terms and it seems as long as I give 'a terms' notice after accepting its the deposit only, rather than a full terms fees. Not great; but doable. Mind you I don't like messing around...but that's got to be a secondary consideration to DD's school preference.

All so stressful. I so hoped it would be over by now!

East point that's a great idea. Imagine all the disappointment which would be avoided. If you think that two very bright girls were accepted at say, five, schools they applied to, that's ten offers between them and only 2 will be taken up with eight children out there waiting and hoping.....although I appreciate they over offer.
Brought DD to KGS sports grounds Saturday. She was seriously impressed(-:

LEH used to do that amidai - there were 3 options, firm yes, firm no or possibly yes. Another thing to consider is that if your child was offered a place at their first choice you could ring the other schools even before the results came out to say you didn't want the place.