Is it too early to start a 2016 girls 11+ W/SW London thread?

Almostdone2: Likewise, we put down all of the schools DD applied for (6, including a grammar school and a couple of IB options) on every application that requested it and it was not a problem in terms of getting offers.

sdavlistentomother: "There has been one particular interview for a very selective where the interviewer showed no interest whatsoever" - I think I know which school you are referring to. This was also the case when my DD interviewed there and is not indicative of how well your DD has done.

almostdone I put all schools in the forms and DS mentioned them in interviews and was very honest about preferences. He still got several offers. There is no formula.

The Emanuel list for 2017 has closed already - unless they change then they will be selecting the early birds only. Last year it closed end March, and it was June the year before.

Sorry whatever she said to the interviewer!

Mine had the same experience at a very selective one where she came out feeling that whatever the interviewer has said was somehow wrong... Very discouraging. The process has been far worst than I could have imagined!

Schools, including the most selective ones, all have different types of children - imagine the chaos that would result if everyone at a school was outgoing and talkative.

In my experience, it is not a problem for a DC to be shy and quiet (and seemingly lacking in confidence) but it is important for him/her to show a keen interest in learning and a "spark".

Mine has not been asked about other schools either. Is this because the places have already been allocated on the basis of results and we are too far down the list? There has been one particular interview for a very selective where the interviewer showed no interest whatsoever. So discouraging. We had no chance perhaps ? The whole thing is so negative and depressing. Has it always bee like this in London? Was there grammar schools once upon a time? Why has there been no new schools opening up? There is a fortune to be made surely ?

I thought the schools must go back to the exam results after the interviews.

I put down all the 'other' schools on dd's applications. I shouldn't have.

That all makes sense jeane16 except my DD has not been asked by a single school where else she has applied and I never put other schools down in registration forms for exactly that reason ... I don't want other school applications to get in the way of a decision by any particular school

I work in one of these schools and have to say that the interview process is really to check for behavioural issues. Thereafter it is back to the entrance exam results.

Heads also try to get a feel for whether the school is top of the list or just a backup. This can be judged by quizzing the pupils about where else they are sitting. This helps in the incredibly difficult formula of how many places to offer .

Thin envelope.

A mum at the gates without a DC currently doing 11+ said that 11+ is the worst nightmare for us SW London mums due to our complete lack of control over the process, no transparency and tons of competition ie the perfect storm for a complete freak out

I think it's probably impossible to apply some sort of formula to success in interviews. Assuming the schools have a number of teachers interviewing, a child who appeals to one teacher might not appeal to another. However it's probably human nature to be more drawn to a chatty child than a quiet one. At the same time over confidence can be unappealing too! I think all you can do is prep as much as you can on the likely questions and encourage your DC to be as confident as they can be and then cross your fingers. That's my strategy anyway. We'll see how that works out...,

Just so I'm prepared is the invite to interview a thin envelope or fat?!

Houseofmuppets especially but to everyone - please let's keep this an open dialogue. I think in RL we shy away from expressing ourselves too openly for fear of misinterpretation but we all should feel safe here. I agree with posters that certain schools do seem to have a certain type more than others. I would say the schools that interview all the candidates regardless of their exam marks imho seem to have more diversity (Emanurl. JAGS) while those that cherry pick after interviews seem to have a narrower spectrum. Eg has anyone met a shy timid Pailina? If you have I'd like to meet her!!! I would agree that being bolshy and loud is no sign of certain intelligence but that these schools all seem to have a mysterious formula for coming up with what they they seem to believe is the ideal year group for their school. For the most part it does seem that they use a weird calculus to figure out how the exam/interview comes out with right result (for them, not necessarily for us our our DCS!!)

Oh no, house, don't you go. Many people on this thread are needing guidance and yours is as good and anyone's.

Hopeless
Was only trying to help and give a generalised view based on my personal experience (no more)! and what we were advised at the time. When both my dc went through this, far more academic and talented, yet "quieter" children (their friends from primary) were not offered places following interviews. As I say, that's just my experience, but it is what it is. Of course the children vary - there are thousands of them! That's me done on here then.

Sorry, "Do not forget" was not meant for you, house, but for everyone having interviews!

David Yates, the director of the final four “Potter” movies on Alan Rickman...."When I finally met him away from the job, he was a lovely guy... I think Alan is also shy — painfully shy, in fact — and he believes his craft should have an element of mystery to it. He sees no value in talking about it too much or dissecting it too much.”

houseofmuppets tbh I'm not sure that LU are specifically looking for outgoing, verbal and confident children. Like hopeless points out, there are other types in the school. It doesn't fit one type. It is true however that once in the school, the shy and timid will be encouraged to participate - but then, they would do that in any good school.
I once heard they're looking for a "latymerian". No idea what that is, it's a mistery to me, an intangible thing, almost instinctive when they're having a conversation with the child?
Do not forget there has been an exam which counts to a lot, there is already an "order" according to exam results and most of the top achievers who show a desire to attend the school should get a place (guessing here!). Unless the interview shows the child was spoonfed the 11+, doesn't have a clue of what's going on in their life, and can't process any information without a tutor (Hyperbole here!).

Good to know that all the students in LU are "verbal" (where did they learn that??), "confident", "outgoing" (one type - imagine!) I wonder how the timid, shy, charming Y7 girl that gave us a tour sneaked in? And where do the non-"verbal" kids go l wonder?

Not a tiger, very well said. Too many girls. And the interviews are so quick. Hundreds of girls interviewed for so few spots. There are bound to be ones who fall through the cracks.

I feel exactly the same Notatigermum. The whole process is just too stressful.

We also got a letter asking for an interview at LU. The process is so insane that even though my DD is getting interviews I am still worried because the schools invite so many kids to interview and honestly they all seem as bright articulate and confident as she is. Think it may be some random thing that ends up tipping a candidate to the yea or nay pile... Ergo, my continued stress about this horrendous process. Mid Feb cannot come any sooner to end this torture. Thanks to all though who have contributed. Knowing that I can share my frustration and hear others' tales has been good. In RL, everyone assumes my DD will get in everywhere which to me feels so stressful - the heavy weight of expectation. Or mums mutter "they all get in somewhere" but unfortunately, like all of us, the last school that got pipped into the exam pile is not the one she or her parents want!!

Congrats Shirley and good luck Crazy!

I think the most important thing in the interview is for your DC to clearly state that LU is their first choice school (even if it's not) and some good reasons why. Schools don't like to be turned down any more than we do and in borderline cases particularly, are more likely to offer to people that they think will accept. LU are looking for outgoing, verbal and confident children - most of them seem to fit that bill!

I'm at work and dreading getting home to a 'no' letter!