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

Thanks mertonmama!

Having done the PHS interviews last year I can offer a bit of insight...

It's very busy and comes across as a bit of a production line. Everyone was in the sports hall and then groups get called in. It may come across as a bit impersonal, particularly if you've interviews at schools where you get summoned to the head teacher's office.

They are very fair and all the girls get a mix of questions from a set list - but not all the same ones. Definitely no 'shocker' questions so no need to worry about last minute prep.

I think the most useful thing I did was to remind DD of all the things she could talk about if asked, i.e. music, sport, recent trips etc. I'm not sure she used any of it but it definitely helped her confidence.

We also arranged a mock interview with a teacher friend as a confidence boost.

Best of luck to all!

See you there mummyinatizz!

see you Thurs then shirleycantbe

2serious my dd got into KGS on the 10+ - the odds aren't great but it is really worth trying as it made the whole thing so easy (we didn't like any other school as much so we just stuck with it)

I told her to just go and do her best, she hadn't had tutoring at this point, and I said it was a good idea to do the exam just so that when she did her 11+ exams she would know what to expect. If you sell it like that and imply that it is a trial run and that you don't necessarily expect them to get in then I think they relax and will do better on the day!

I think they do all the interviews on the same day! Ours is on Thursday. I've heard it's pretty crazy with so many children

Putney High interview coming up soon - have any DDs been through it yet, any top tips?

She seemed to think it went ok. Group interview of 6 girls. Discussing vaguely philosophical things. She said only she and one other girls really properly participated but she assured me she kept waiting and giving the others a chance to talk. So hopefully at least she took part even if what she said wasn't amazing!
Good to have 2 interviews done now.

Also heard that Godolphin and Latymer Upper are giving her extra time. Initially I was delighted as it was rather unexpected (most other schools have said no). But now I've had it suggested that this will actually put her at a disadvantage as she'll be judged negatively and will be chasing a limited number of SEN places. Aargh! Feels like a no win situation...

We got our email yesterday too. But we had received a previous email confirming and thanking us for our application?

Had our email today inviting DD for interview at PHS, no 'thank you for applying' etc, just see you on this date for interview!

Its really annoying me!

At the Wimbledon interview this morning - it's all starting to feel very real....

Dd didn't warm to JAGS at all when she saw it - went to 3 open days in the end and her reaction each time was 'meh'

We decided not to enter her for the exam as there didn't seem much point

Right forms/photos/cheques all in. We're up for 5 schools come January, so there goes nearly £500. And that was the easy part. Trying to keep DD upbeat and motivated, and a bit ahead as the end of term stuff starts slowly to busy up.

Best of luck to all with application decisions.

And why do JAGS need 3 passport photos with application form?? Annoying!

I was at JAGS too on Thurs am and felt same pearlmummy about head, plus her boasting how academic it was. Thought I wouldn't even bother with the tour, but did and warmed to school a bit.

And agree no coffee or biscuits - very poor show!

Undecided about whether to apply or not - will sleep on it.

MrsPatmore, thanks reply and interesting to hear similar experience. I also have DS and when we were at DC I really felt the warmth. The senior management I met couldn't have been nicer and we came away with a very good feeling which was why I was then expecting same at JAGs. I do like Alleyns - def much warmer - and that's def on our list. Is it a high achieving girls school thing and do different neck of the wood but is LEH the same in reality?? I much preferred LEH to JAGs when I visited but is the reality the same I wonder??? Anyone got any experience that they can share?

Pearlmummy, I have a ds so havn't visited JAGS but several of the parents in school felt the same. Apparently it's not a very 'warm' school, big emphasis on the academics, sometimes to the exclusion of all else (unless you have a 'super-girl' who can keep up with everything and I suspect these are the types of girls who go to JAGS). Academic results are very impressive though.
Alleyns?

Giraffe44 we took a break from early December (life just got too busy, colds, tired) until 27 December then did something every morning.

Hello all. I would love some advice on how to approach the Xmas holidays. How much work to do, how much of a break to have and how to keep my DD motivated and ready for the kick off in early jam. What worke best?!

Anyone go to JAGs yesterday? I went expecting and hoping to love it but I cae away not sure. Can't quite put my finger on it. Didn't entirely warm to the new head. Didn't dislike but equally didn't love the girls who showed us around. Know it is a clever school but felt they really pressed the point. Interested in other views. Small point in the grand scheme of things but the only school of what feels like millions not to offer a cup of tea!!!

Goodness, I hope there is a bit of hype here and that it isn't this much harder for the girls! We've just been through this with DS who did really well and got the offers we were hoping for - but even at SPS and KCS his interview questions were mostly about interesting things that he's done, what he was currently reading etc - certainly nothing as controversial as FGM! We're gearing up to start the process for DD next year and while I'm not exactly looking forward to it I was reassured by our experience with DS, so I really hope some posters here just like to scaremonger...

one more for me Ohtobefinished JAGS on Friday morning, then form filling begins in earnest. Yay, an excuse to buy a new pen!