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Original poster

St Pauls Girls - getting a place after state primary?

31 replies

AltoPalo · 30/07/2015 10:55

Does anyone know how many state school girls get into St Pauls at 11? Are the stats published anywhere? And does anyone have tips on how best to prepare?

My daughter goes to our local state primary. This week she attended a summer camp that SPGS runs for state school kids at the end of year 4. She has fallen in love with the school and keeps asking whether she can go there after year 6. I have always assumed that it is out of our league both financially and academically but her Head nominated her for this camp so maybe she thinks her capable. I want at least to explore it before dismissing it.

How exceptional do you have to be to get into SPGS? What particular qualities and talents are they looking for?

OP posts:
chocolatechip123 · 30/07/2015 13:06

A neighbours child got a place there - she is a lovely girl, extremely bright and quiet/calm.

I used the Manchester Grammar School past papers. The schools also seem to like kids that do lots of activities ad get involved in school life (library monitor, on the 'Green team', lower school buddy etc) and do sport, music and enjoy artsy stuff too.

Also, children need to be able to converse well with adults, have opinions, be able to debate and question, answer questions well (and field hard ones too) etc.

Original poster
AltoPalo · 30/07/2015 13:01

Thanks NeedMore. Which 11+ preparation sites would you recommend?

OP posts:
needmorechoctoday · 30/07/2015 12:57

SPGS is an exceptionally difficult school to gain a place at, the academic bar is very high and girls are generally self-assured and highly self-motivated. It's an incredible school and I can see why your daughter has fallen in love with it!

They are experienced at spotting potential and ability in state school pupils, who have not been as heavily prepped & tutored, as many candidates from west London preps. If your head teacher thinks that your daughter should apply, then I would listen to her advice.

Your daughter will need to practise for a reading comprehension exam, a writing exam and a maths exam. There is a further exam paper that varies from year to year and aims to challenge girls in a creative, fun and extended way.

There are huge amounts of advice for books, tutors etc that can be found on 11+ websites. It's worth doing some prep to become more familiar with exams and the expectations.

I would ring the school regarding bursaries, they do vary.

Original poster
AltoPalo · 30/07/2015 12:38

Eli - I'm not sure whether the summer camp is the same thing as your DD attended. Its not explicitly stated as being for gifted kids but I think each local state primary was asked to nominate two children who do well and might benefit from a week experiencing SPGS. DD says a woman with a clip board writes notes when they answer questions so I'm not sure whether SPGS is using the week to assess children for some reason. Where did your DD end up?

Basildon - my DD has no specific talent like you mention although she's an enthusiast for her instrument and her sports.

OP posts:
basildonbond · 30/07/2015 12:28

The girls DD knows at SPGS are bright and hardworking but not genius level. They've all got something else as well though - county netball, v good at music etc

The scholarships are purely honorary - something like £200 a year (which isn't going to put much of a dent into fees of £20K+ ...)

I don't know anyone on a bursary so am not sure how generous they are

Elibean · 30/07/2015 12:05

There was a girl in the year above dd at state primary who got a scholarship to SPGS - she was very bright, and very motivated, but not wildly above the rest of the bright girls in her class.

About the summer camps, I'm not sure its the same thing but my eldest dd did a day for G&T at SPGS in Y5, along with another girl. Neither of them applied (though both temporarily fell in love too!) in the end, and to be honest I don't think my dd would have had a chance in hell of getting in. Bright, but not motivated or hard working.

My neice (from a private school) who is bright and hard working, and wasn't going for a scholarship, didn't get in - though she got offers from all the other selective girls' schools in the area.

So some luck involved I think!

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