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

Thanks all! DD is already determined she is going to X or Y purely because she's heard of them..have gently explained it's not quite as simple as that and told DH it's not helpful to say that if she works hard she can go wherever she wants! She has friends with older siblings so it'll all become clearer to her I suspect- don't want to burst her little Y4 bubble just yet!

Sorry my message should have read 'write down' rather than 'right down'. I'm not an idiot, really.

I'm impressed Rascar that you had so many options. There only seemed to be about three boys/co-ed schools within a reasonable distance, but maybe we didn't look at the ones perceived as less selective as we'd have rather state.

We looked round anything DH and I were interested in when the DC were in y5 and then took the DC in Y6 to the main open days for the 3-4 schools we were pretty decided on applying to (without ever saying it was a completely done deal). I definitely agree that it's a bit unwise to let your DC get fixated on a school which you are not really interested in.

I agree that it is hard to differentiate and they are all trying to impress you but you do get outliers each way, I think and even that can be helpful. We were massively put off one school we thought we might like but didn't, another one was perfect on paper and we went in hugely receptive because it ticked lots of boxes and really did not like it, while a third school which on paper was not such an obvious fit was just very nice and shot up our "rankings".

btw this is why I think it's very unfair when schools ask children which one is their favourite since as a parent you're constantly trying to convey that one is no better than the others to manage disappointment. One of the schools asked them to right down their order of schools at the exam, which I thought was shoddy.

We didn't find looking round the schools made decisions any easier because you're always so acutely aware that you don't get to make the choice as to whether they go there. In a way, I was constantly looking for reasons to dislike them since I felt defensive about the way the could reject my beloved child.

It was only once he'd got interviews and then, more so, offers that we could make a decision. Helped that we only applied to three, pretty selective (north London, boys) schools and then was only offered two of the three, one of which we'd gone right off during the process.

I think it's sensible for parents to look round the main open days in years 4 or 5, and then the smaller daytime tours in year 5. This refines the short list for your DD to look around in years 5 and 6. Then she won't be falling in love with a school you've found has a show-stopping reason not to go for from your POV.

Spreading them out also means you avoid clashes/pile ups, and helps them not to merge into one lump, IYSWIM, and I think you get a clearer idea that way. If your DD has friends with older siblings, talking to their parents can help you get a feel for the schools too.

Can I ask when you all took your DCs round the schools? Y5 or Y6? DD is in Y4 and we will be considering some of the schools mentioned above I think but I can't imagine her looking round the schools and deciding which ones she like more etc. Does it all become clearer as you look round them? I'm going to have a look at a few this term just to start the process in my own head but not sure when to take DD..

My DD sat both G&L and Latymer Upper last year and I'm happy to offer views. She got offers from both (we did not accept either). I think the perception was that LU was the harder to get in to, although it also feels like there is more hype around it: certainly there was something in the press about how they had over 1000 applicants etc etc and for whatever reason it is seen as a plum choice from DD's primary school. It did feel at times - particularly the interview day - like it was some sort of minor reality TV show - a cross between the Hunger Games and the early rounds of Britains Got Talent!

G&L was much more straightforward and felt calmer throughout the whole interview and exam process. I liked it (I suspect because it felt like a much much better version of the school I went to years ago), although I was not blown away, DH was fairly neutral about it and interestingly DD really didn't like it (to the extent, interestingly, that when we told her she got in she said "Don't make me go there"). My own view is that it is definitely a school you have to look round and it will either suit you or not suit you. Its a great school, it really wouldn't suit DD - and somehow she recognised that straight away. Actually it's a good thing when this is clear.

Is anyone viewing Latymer Upper or Godolphin & Latymer?

Cake, we have both given S999 some inputs to mitigate desperation.

If you you are happy to name schools - e.g. by PM - I would be interested in where such spaces are appearing/being advertised.

I suspect registrars at different schools do things in different ways wrt occasional vacancies. It is dangerous to fall in love with one particular school, as luck would have to play a big part - and perhaps you are right, but I am not sure occasional places at popular schools always (or normally) will be less competitive than 11+ places - which should at least be more predictable.

NWgirls I do take your point about the main entry points and I would agree if I hadn't seen what parents have gone through in the last couple of years. My point really was for overseas parents not to be fooled by stories of how accommodating schools are to returning families, that may have been the case years ago but it isn't now as a read through previous years threads will tell you. 11+ is 100% competitive entry, whereas there may be some wriggle room if they have a space in another year group and they need to fill it.

There is always some movement, one of the largest girls school has lost so many pupils in the last 12 months that they are advertising for Y8 and Y9 entry.

If you can wait another year, all these schools have places for the start of Y8 and you can pick and choose.

I am really not sure this is good advice to rely on from abroad.

Based on my limited knowledge, including desperate friends overseas just now in that situation, I would suggest applying:

• for the large, main intake to year 7 when your DD is at the right age
• utilise one or both of the London consortium groups to apply for several schools in one "go", and travel to London for multi-school tests on 1 or 2 Friday(s) in mid January
• then when you have received some offers (and learned more about and hopefully visited the schools) in the early spring, ask for deferred entry and explain that you are not quite ready to move yet
• if you get deferred entry agreed you are all set, but even if the school does not agree this, I think you would be in a very good position when a vacancy appears: Your DD will be a "proven", low risk, low hassle candidate assessed on the same basis as everybody else.

Yes there can be some turnover in London, but very risky to be a "one-of-a-kind", hard to test, outside the normal cycle applicant from abroad. Better to be known, top of the waiting list.

Another point is that your DD should choose to sit the consortium test at a school you (think you) really like and have a fair chance at. This is because the school will have the full test papers and not just a score, which might help them have a "richer", more solid view of your DD

I just popped in to say good luck to everyone for this year. We did it 2 years ago with DD and as I commented last year pretty much everyone received at least 2 offers, post waiting lists etc. Last year people were dubious about this but if you read the whole thread by the time the waiting lists had moved it was pretty much the case then as well.

Regardless of how many schools you sit it will be fine provided you have a "safe" back up. But please note Emmanuel is NOT a safe back up because of the very low numbers they admit, sibling policy etc.

The only bad experiences I have seen over the last few years have been people needing bursaries and applying from overseas. S999, you should be in plenty of time to prepare but ignore any school admissions officer who tells you they welcome overseas applicants and implies they make allowances for them, they do not. - read last years and previous years thread. If you can wait another year, all these schools have places for the start of Y8 and you can pick and choose.

Good Luck everyone, it is a very stressful time.

mummyinatizz we're bang in the middle of south of the river and did did the 11+ a couple of years ago

The standard 'hierarchy' for the pupils at dd 's school was Alleyn's, JAGS, Emanuel, SCHS and the vast majority ended up going to one of those. A few also sat WHS, PHS, Harrodian, Ibstock Place or tried for boarding schools but generally because transport was easier from where they lived or they already had a sibling there

Her school strongly advised taking no more than four, preferably three though there were some parents who ignored that - one child was exhausted with seven and there was a child at another local school doing ten

There's no point making them sit exams and paying large registration fees if there's no way they'd end up going to a particular school if offered a place

we are applying from abroad and am already having nothing short of a nervous breakdown about this...and my DD is Jan 2017...somebody rescue me from myself!

The interesting thing about PHS is that they finally have a new head.

It's an interesting school. I don't like dissing schools and totally get its horses for courses. We live extremely close, my dd did 11 + last year and it would take her literally minutes to walk there but we didn't even apply. We know a lot of people with dds there and the best I can get from parents is lukewarm. Did a lot of asking around and I just could not find anyone being positive, let alone enthusiastic. Believe me I would love to love it because it is so close. Also I'm not in the slightest bit chippy, dd was eg offered at Godolphin and others of that ilk so I'm pretty sure she would have got in.

I really hope the new head can just 'zhuzz up what is clearly a good school

thanks anothernewt we're already registered and paid the money!

If you've not already registered for Emanuel, you may as well cross it off. The list has closed, and although there's a waiting list to register you can't count on it moving (but you don't pay the registration fee unless it does and they can take your application).

thanks for input orangina abetes. I had to google Consortium group - what a good idea batching up admissions/exams.

We're south of river, so thinking about PHS, WHS, JAGS, SCHS, Old Palace, Emanuel, although am visiting few others in autumn open day frenzy.

I would do four maximum. One which is a stretch, two which you are happy with and which dc has a good chance of getting and a fallback option just in case. There is really no point in doing more than four, in my opinion.