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

Any LEH parents out there? We were lucky enough to get interview letter for LEH and along with the letter came the school mag. On p1 there were new staff appointments which included head of maths and 4 new maths teachers. That seemed a lot to me. Is there any significance to that?
Any general feedback to LEH would be very welcome (not sure if this is right place to post this..... do let me know if better place!)

Dd said it went well. Maths just didn't finish and English good. I think she's a bit numb now.

I promised not to ask so I haven't but do want to know! How did others find it?

Yes a lot at Francis Holland this am will also be applying to NH I would have thought..... Seemed to be teeming there!

just a small caveat oringina on the numbers...a girl can sit a consortium group exam at a school of their preferred choice. Therefore, the numbers you saw physically today, may not be the actual number that have applied the school as they've entered for it but sat it elsewhere!

I'm sure whoever takes over from next Sept will retain the high focus on pastoral care, which is the school's best USP (in my opinion..must not forget the MN disclaimer)

No. And it's a lovely school. The demand is just higher for the more West London schools that attract a different mix of girls, personality and location wise. E.g. more prep children will apply for the likes of G&L/SPGS/LU/LEH etc and place NH and some others in the consortium groups as their back ups.

They would have sat the exam today alongside the girls from outside so yes, if that's how many in total sat today...

They'll be 90 places (3 classes), of which around half will go to those coming up from NH junior school

Yes also I think numbers were much less around 180-200 applicants .I wonder how many seats there are

LEH was very well organised too but I missed any chance to ask about the numbers taking the exam/ being interviewed. If anyone knows, it would be very helpful.

Yes just picked DD from Notting Hill .a very organised and well conducted affair..just waiting for the results now.senior girls were there to support and show us around.

Good luck to all girls sitting the Group 1 consortium tests just now!

DD again volunteered to help at her school, Francis Holland Regents Park, rather than have a day off(!), so she will be taking your DDs to breaks/loos etc, chat with them and hopefully also calm any nerves.

Otherwise the new headmaster is in place and things seem to be going smoothly, with no major changes expected and sincere reassurances that he values and will preserve the warm and friendly atmosphere at the school. So far, so good!

Oh, heavens, yes. Only uniform for weekday interviews.

And something else you might want to think about telling your DD is that this gives her a chance to see what some of the school staff are like, and decide what she thinks of them. Are they good enough for her? This can backfire, if she decides she hates the interviewer, but I suggest it because it can be a reminder that you/she have choices too.

Almost...yes! G&L used objects last year. Again though, no point in prepping for what may come if objects used, as it may be any random type of question...place in what you think is sequential order, by materials, texture, etc...

On the uniforms, we didn't wear uniforms unless school was going from/back to school on the day. Most schools will say wear what you are most comfortable in/recommend not to wear, but you will always find the many children that turn up in uniform, regardless, armed in full badge regalia. Even on a Saturday

Try not to be intimidated..it makes no difference.

AnotherNewt thank you. I think I will tread softly.

Have you heard of interviews where the children are handed
an object and asked to come up with an original use for it?

I think I would go blank!

"Are they meant to wear their school uniforms?"

It doesn't matter what they wear, but in practice most people will be in school uniform. It can be quite fun spotting whose there, and seeing uniforms you usually don't (especially if they involve capes or velvet). Depending on how the school runs the interviews, you might not see many other girls; others can be a complete scrum.

"Any tips?"

Don't really try to do much preparation now, especially as you say your DD is feeling stressed. Don't try and script her answers, but do help,her think before the interview what she is going to talk about if she's asked questions about what hobbies she has, what she likes doing in the holidays or what she's reading at the moment. These are all fairly widely used as gentle ice-breakers, and it'll help avoid a rabbit-in-the headlights moment if she knows which activity and which book she might talk about.

Feeling for all of you. We left all that behind years ago but will never forget!

Crazy2016 promise a small celebration when everything is over. I never gave too much importance to the outcome but to the experience itself. I said I was proud of all he had done and that out of this he was going to gain experience, resilience and maturity which would come in handy at any secondary school.

Mine is very tired and so hard to motivate and is am finding the logistics of all the dropping off and picking up and interviews much more challenging than I could have anticipated! Any tips on keeping spirits up! ?!?