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

We got the letter on Thursday too. Thanks for all your support everyone. Good luck for al the interviews tomorrow

Just read the last couple pages and it has brought back a few memories.

I've been through it twice before so courage to you all going through it now. It's a massive cliche but it does all work out. I can tell you all sorts of horrendous dramas including that of my own DD got NO offers last year . She is of course somewhere (selective) and is happy and doing very well.

Nice to see a few familiar names from times past too and I hope everyone's DC are happy.

Anyone feeling nervous about getting the post tomorrow? Do you think Surbiton High post the letters on a Friday on purpose so you can't call them until you've calmed down?

Agree with you foxes are fabulous that nhehs was a very well run affair .staff were friendly and very genthe with the girls.hope for the best since we live just 5 minutes away

sorry to hear that BOTTERSNIKES, hope your DD is OK too.

Rejection letter from KGS 10+ received today. I feel quite peaceful now. It's over (until next year).

Hi all, I went through this horrendous process with my DD last year - reading this thread is bringing it all back! - and it generally does seem to all work out in the end! I would like to say to any parents waiting for Latymer Upper interviews - our experience of their interview day was nothing at all like the two previous posters have described. It was certainly the busiest interview day we went to so in that sense, it could have felt slightly overwhelming to a 10/11 year old but it was supremely well-organised, all the staff we met were very friendly as were the sixth formers who had been drafted in to show people to their interview tables and sit and chat to them. They have a table set up in the waiting room for each interviewing member of staff, so you are taken to the relevant table to wait and then that member of staff comes to collect your child. It does mean that they know where everyone has sat and can find them easily, rather than having to stand in the doorway of the room and shout the child's name (which is what happened at SPGS last year).

The other interviews my DD and I thought were very well run were the NHEHS ones - again, very friendly staff, not as many children in one go as they interview over several mornings and a nice, calm atmosphere.

Following with interest, even though we are deepest darkest SE London. Anyone know anybody with children at Sydenham High? I know it's not the premier league of my other locals of JAGs and Alleyns, but DD1 is a lovely, shy, quite bright girl - not sure Alpha enough for the afore-mentioned. We loved SH, loved girls we met, know it might not get the results of others, but think it would nurture DD and work on her confidence. But a friend is taking her DD out after 7 yrs of Juniors to start Y7 at local state girls, as she does not believe it is worth the fees at secondary level.
Have been through this already with DS1, and it was all so much easier and straightforward for him. All feedback very appreciated.

That was us with the no from JAGS notatigermum999. Am keeping it quiet from DD until we have a few others, w/c 01 Feb. We didn't do the pre-Xmas interview as there weren't any more dates available.

If you did the pre-xmas interview, I'm guessing you'll have to wait 'mid-Feb' to quote their website.

Good luck, no news could be good news!

We have only one left now - Ibstock Place on Saturday. Does anyone have any useful/anecdotal/historical advice that they are impart for the exam?

We are doing general prepping but it's actually really hard to find anything specific about this particular exam e.g. where the emphasis lies, what to expect - that kind of thing.

Thank you! goes back to chanting 'it will work out in the end' mantra

Good for your DD, 2serious. Good luck for Saturday.
God does that mean the wait's not over for me and Botters yet? Already dreading next year.

The wait is over for us temporarily, dd had a call back for the interview for 10+ kgs. Thank you to invaluable advice re interviews, minoula. And to all of those still waiting to hear- I hope there is still good news for you in the pipeline

Hi Botter I waited til we got the letter. They offer the feedback so they'll be ready for the calls and calling before you get the reject probably means you're calling before they are ready to talk to you. If I remember properly I had to phone several times as they had a lot of parents calling.

They also gave exam technique feedback - so we knew DD did well on VR but was let down by her maths. The maths was no surprise, but it was nice to know that she showed good exam technique (starring tricky questions to go back to, moving onto the ones she could do) and that her VR was on track.

They also flagged her spelling - I'd been arguing with her school for years about this and feared she was dyslexic. Her primary said no chance and dismissed me as a pushy mother; Kingston's feedback after I raised it during the phone call was simple - we can see why you're concerned. Get her tested and let us know the outcome.

So...we ignored her primary school and got an Ed Pysch. DD is quite dyslexic and qualifies for extra time in exams. I'm quite grateful to KGS for their feedback as it was honest and helpful.

First time to post as bizarrely found it tricky to register.

Huge sympathy to everyone going through this process. It's completely bonkers and not particularly child or family friendly. Awaiting interview letters on tenterhooks. Hoping for Alleyn's. Description of Latymer process sounds heinous.

Did I understand correctly that JAGS has sent out rejection letters already? I guess it's good to know even though it's awful news. Sorry for the DD of mum who posted. I would sit on that news until I heard from more schools.

Just surprised as it seems slightly mad to drip through the various letters through the post since we'll all be wondering which batch our DD will be in? Although honestly nothing surprises me anymore. I have never seen a market that is so smug in its decided supply/demand imbalance. Why aren't there more secondary schools being started up in London ... I know, I know it would be hugely expensive, but still there is obviously huge demand ..,.

All the mums of older kids tell me it all works out in the end ... Really hoping so for all of our children. I know they need to learn failure but really at the age of 10/11 when they had to work so bloody hard and they (and we!) have little understanding of the competition, the marks needed to get in and the non-academic criteria the school uses to make their decisions. Really??!!! Brutal. Breathe ...

Lol Minoula - I think that was me re the Latymer description - DD did it last year. It was bonkers; as you say, everyone was told to keep the date clear and then you heard very close to the time whether you were called. Latymer definitely was the one with the whiff of the Hunger Games about it.

The letter said in about 3 different ways "Do not bring anything with you" and we saw children with vast projects etc they were carefully carrying. All her other interviews had been quite touchy feely, we know you are only 11-type affairs but at Latymer it was a quick fire, randomly academic interview (you were warned it would be academic and random) - DD had to explain photosynthesis and then was asked some questions about Latin. She was fairly gobsmacked by the oddness of the whole process. On the way out you we handed a standard form letter which really pretty much said "The odds of you getting an offer are not that great but well done for getting an interview - consider this an achievement in itself". DD did get an offer but we didn't take it up

I did this twice in 3 years and so everyone going through it now has my heartfelt empathy. I will say that a year down the line my DD is as happy as a little clam at the school she chose, and I'm sure you all will end up in the same position.

Really wishing the best of luck to all those awaiting 10 plus or 11 plus letters. I think the drip drip mail effect makes it all harder. Why not just post all the letters on the same day and be done with it!

Anyone out there going through the Latymer Upper shenanigans? They tell everyone sitting the exam to keep a particular Saturday in late Jan free - so that's about 1200 people clearing their diaries. You receive a letter on the Wed before this Sat if you are one of the 400 or so invited for interview. Then they interview everyone on the same day for the 120 places available. I remember someone (possibly on this forum) describing the interview day as a minor reality TV show - a cross between the hunger games and the early rounds of Britain's Got Talent! And that's exactly how it is.

Thank you wheresthebeach. I still don't KNOW anyone that has actually been offered an interview. But I assume it's game over now as heard nothing. How soon can I call them to ask for feedback? I will put my very thick skin on for that call!

wheresthebeach - DD got Tiffin but we went for PHS instead. She is loving it! Couldn't be happier. Has made lovely friends and adjusted really well. Did you go for WHS in the end?

One thing about KGS 10+ - they give great feedback about how the test went if you phone them.

You have to phone with quite a thick skin as they go through the papers giving you examples of the errors and tips on what to work on. Its very kind of them.

Waves at mertonmama. Ah...the memories...yikes!

Hope all is good your end Merton and your DD is happy and settled - Am I right in thinking you went for Tiffin in the end?

Funny how happy both of us are now that she's in secondary. So much more suited to her than her primary.

Was thinking of starting a new thread so see how everyone is getting on!

Ooh - thanks piupiu! At least my nerves aren't too premature then!

Minoula, I love your description of the KGS interview, wish they were all like that!

Hi Shirleycantbe & Drfizzioe. We're also waiting on Surbiton and have been told they're sending them at the end of this week. Fingers crossed x

Best wishes to those of you who have had disappointing news. It's a tough time so sending and to you all.

wheresthebeach wanted to say hello again! Can't believe it's been a year! Hope your DD is happy at her new school. Doesn't feel very new anymore does it?

KGS 10+... am I right in assuming (from the above) that if we haven't heard anything then we've not got an interview and will receive the rejection letter mid Feb? Oh well.