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

Pradaqueen, sounds like your DD is reading range is wide, and I would agree with PP, to allow her to read what she enjoys. Adding newspapers (what ever you deem appropriate at her level) is also good to support her comprehension.

Passionfruitmartini, only gone through this once (last year) but my understanding is that the schools cannot give you a definitive cut off point, because the pass and acceptance rate will vary each year. For example, whilst CLSG and G&L have the similar numbers who apply, they will not have the same numbers who accept due to location, and where an applicant resides. So their cut off may vary to reflect this. And I know of girls who were accepted from schools in a group and rejected by others in same group, so don't lose heart just yet.

CLSG can often get added to a prospect list because it's in the same consortium as others, but in reality, due to location, can get rejected.

Therefore those that really like CLSG, if offered, will expect the deadline for acceptance to be brought forward from the formal acceptance date, on a first come, first served basis (as they have done for last 2 years).

Good luck to all, I remember tonight being a pretty sleepless one so here's a for getting yourselves to this stage of a tough journey!

I'm not a fan of abridged versions of classics. At this age, if she isn't likely to handle the fact that Beth actually dies in Little Women for example, don't let her read it. There are plenty of other books. It's about reading widely and enjoying it.

If you Google 11+ reading lists there are plenty of recommendations. However I would also advise getting them to read stuff they actually enjoy. I still clearly remember the torture of getting my DS aged 10 to read Carrie's War!

Hi there, I have been lurking on this thread as have a Y5 DD and about to start the process for 2017 entry so I have noted the sage advice meeted out here! DD is at a mixed prep. We are relocating to London and our headmistress has indicated that an academic girls school would be ideal for her - CLSG or SPG. She is not sporty but takes part, is very musical and is very good at languages. I notice that the CLSG website under parental guidance advises that Children are encouraged to read ambitiously. In reality, can anyone who has been through the system advise what this looks like in RL? DD has read all of the classics retold (Usborne) and enjoys a very varied diet of books - both fact and fiction. She loves reading and I don't want to put her off but should I be encouraging her to read the 'real' versions or is their another 'tier' of books in between that I should focus on. She has done the HP series, Chronicles of Narnia, Wind in the willows etc. Any advice gratefully received! Thank you and good luck to you all with your offers.

Any offers coming through by e-mail? We are waiting for CLSG e-mail tomorrow morning (hopefully!) Good luck everyone!

Hi. I do not think my post was clear. We are not worried about league tables. What is a worry is 900 applicants and not knowing what is a pass mark, or even if dd was invited to interview to one school, does it mean then she has a chance in another of the Consortium.
When I ask PH, G&L, CLSG in that order.....what I wonder is if pass is 80-85-90? Or less? Or the same for all of them? and then final selection is based on interview? Trying to keep calm in front of DD. She is keen on a school but she thinks interview was not great but the exam probably OK.
Just worried.... I hope to deliver good news....
I take on board the commute point. I completely agree.

Completely agree. Go for the nearest school or one with easiest journey. Go with your gut - the one that feels right for you and your child and the one that is going to look after your child through the teenage transition the best.

Believe me when you have a door slamming or grunting teenager on your hands you will be mightily relieved that you chose the school with the best pastoral care or whatever rather than the one that topped the Sunday Times league the day you completed the paperwork.

btw the league tables have become a nonsense. many don't count igcses so total bollox really.

couldn't agree more.

all of these schools are great. choose whichever you think your dc will be happiest at. if they have a strong preference go with it - then when school is tough (as it will be at least at some point) they may blame you a lot less

I completely agree. A secondary school is going to take your child through probably the most volcanic 5 or 7 years in your DC's life. Bearing in mind all these schools are good, I would not look at all as league table positions - actual or perceived- as important. I would also not just look at your choices through the lens of a highly biddable 10 or 11 year old with high academics - a key question is " if the shit hits the fan, is this school still going to be a good place for my DC". I would be listening for any mutterings (probably from current parents) about schools who lose interest in children who suddenly are not on a straight trajectory from Level 6 SATS to A* GCSE's. We know teens at the moment who have glandular fever, a mother just diagnosed with breast cancer, separating parents and just general fall off of keenness - all of these pretty common I would think, and I would be very interested in what do schools do in those types of circumstances.

Also, I really cannot overstate the importance location/ease of journey, both now and in the future (a school bus may seem great for a Y7, but my feeling is that DC resent it as they get further up the school). A good daily journey and accessible friends is honestly more important than league table positions.

Completely agree with Lady Muck. The schools people are discussing here are all very good. It is not that significant if one is a few places above the other in the league tables in the whole scheme of things. Having been though this I would put location, school culture, fit, etc well ahead of the exact place in a league table at this point in time.

I would be very wary about having league tables in your thinking at this point in time. All of these schools are good. My dcs school has jumped about in the various published league tables by 40 places or more over time, despite most of the results being fairly static, similar level of Oxbridge/medics/1st choice uni etc. The only perceivable difference is essentially the ability range of the bottom quartile in any given year, and how strictly the schools weeds out at AS level. Your dd can do very well at any of them. And perhaps because I've seen teenagers get ill, or go through a patch which coincides with exams, personally I'm happy to have chosen a school which doesn't seek to weed out too ruthlessly.

As you open the envelopes, it is time to think about ethos - are the schools wanting the best for the girls, including allowing them to make choices which don't show up in the league tables. Which headteacher message was more in tune with your own views on life and education. Journey times and complexity is a biggie, not just for your dd, but also in terms of how many evening/sports events that you as parents will want to attend. When do options get made, and how wide are the choices. It is definitely worth checking this now as many schools will have just (ie in the last few weeks) updated their policies for GCSE and A level selections.

Thanks for that info.
900 is a large number...how many does G&L take?
Did not think about the pool....but seemed that all the schools try to use whatever grounds they have in the best way possible. I saw PH even has its own BoatHouse. Fantastic sixth form , and in general DD enjoyed the open day, assessment and interview. We are visiting again on thursday.
She is keen on G&L but with 900 applicants, not sure. City has been lovely. Much more uplifting updates and messages. DD interviewed here. I am a bit concerned about daily transport......
I wish there was some transparency to really know the odds of an offer, wl or rejection.....as it is, I am not sure. Have no idea of the pass mark for any of the schools. It seems interview more important at City? But we do not know for sure. No idea of the weight placed on school report/recommendation. We assume 75-90 places at G&L, but again not certain.
We are managing her expectations......also making sure she realises she is already in a good position with an offer. PH gave us a very good vibe....
Although I saw a thread which seemed to indicate poor pastoral care? However, it did not appear to us that way on open day or from the sixth form girl who showed us around. Academics seem good....sports too.
We know City is better placed on league tables, but we are not so worried about that.
And G&L seems in between....PH and City? Is that fair?
It is just impossible to know at the end of the day what the result will be.

Hopefully this will be over soon. And yes, would love if we are fortunate to get good news to have the chance and see them again.

Thanks for that advice about SCHS mummyinatizz.
passionfruitmartini- CLSG say that between them and G&L so there very little difference in the pass mark/ levels to get in.
I think all those schools you mentioned could suit your child- CLSG is a commuting school and has kids from all over London, probably more so than the PHS and G+L- you might think it is a good or bad thing.
One thing that put my keen swimmer DD off G+L is that they do not have their own pool.

Nearly every school has one or two further open days for offer-holders, held before deadline day.

They know that people are weighing up an important decision, and much as they are fervently crossing their fingers that the numbers work out, they are also genuinely interested in these girls by this point and want them to be in the right school for them. And so are very helpful.

I think all consortium schools have their own pass marks or levels.. I heard 900 applied for G&L... So who gets a place at individuals schools will depend on how many applying and what the relative standard is applying to that school..

A late comer to this chat. Hopefully you can help.
Getting an interview at CLGS means a score of? The school interviews 300 for 75 places only including junior? or is it only external?

If you get interview at City does it mean the pass mark is also good for G&L? Are the pass marks different for the different schools of the Consortium? I hear over 800 applicants at city but not sure how many at G&L
Daughter thought interview a City went well but G&L can't be sure....questions were easier but interviewer seemed bored or tired. She thinks the question about analysing a picture she did OK. How many places are available at G&L?
For those with daughters perhaps at PH, G&L and CLGS what is the best and worse of each.
My DD is bright, friendly, sporty, competitive but nice, caring and I think a combination of an academic school with a lot of opportunities for extra curricular activities will suit her. We think she is lovely.....just a little intense at times. She needs to be busy.
Any comments please feel free to share. Thanks

Sounds like very positive news in envelopes for your DD hopeful123.

Just so you know, in our SCHS A4 envelope was an invite to a welcome morning, tomorrow 10 Feb, 0915-1030, chance to meet the head (again), ask questions - guess its for those who haven't decided. DD and I are going.

Surbiton High is A5 thin for offer
don't know re waiting list or no.

If waiting for Emanuel or Latymer then a thick A5 envelope is good news!!

Envelope size matters only up to a point. If it's a thick A4 envelope it's an offer, as it has all sorts of useful joiners bumf, welcome letter for the prospective pupil, and various forms they want actual signatures on. (I'm not aware of any schools that offer other than by thick envelope, though I've got a faint recollection of someone saying last year that one of them does, but I can't remember which one, and of course my memory might be all wrong anyhow).

Wait list and no thanks letters can be indistinguishable, in thin envelopes.

really pleased for you and your DD, mummyinatizz. I think it is a great school and defintely the one we got the warmest vibes.
Can anyone tell me if the envelope size matters- DD is storing all responses until the 12th when she will open them all together and read the email (no way i would have that kind of self control and she understands that there are others on waiting lists that need everyone to answer asap)- only thing I can glean is that both PHS and SCHS were A4 size envelopes

Congrats mummyinatizz, fabulous news indeed

Ah, lovely messages, thank you all. I'm already spending my 'free' time looking at uniforms etc, putting term dates in the diary!

Firefox, thats very kind, thank you - yes I do have DS at W in yr7. Very fortunate to have them both at great schools.

Will be keeping close eye here for others new later in the week, fingers crossed.

Congrats Mummyinatizz.... I remember you from the Whitgift/Trinity/DulwichAlleyns thread... So you now have a DS at W and DD at S&C right? You should feel very proud!

On the numbers applying issue, I think there should be a ranking system, similar to UCAS with a limit of three school that one can apply to. There could be some sore of "clearing" for those who are not holding any offers. I wonder if that would work?

Great news about SCHS place Mummyinatizz so glad your DD is sorted and hoping we all feel the same relief soon!