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Original poster

Prendergast Hilly Fields & Graveney School

33 replies

user1475317873 · 01/10/2016 11:39

Hi,

I am considering these two schools for my daughter who will start secondary school in 2018 and I would like to hear opinions from parents with girls there. Also, what are the chances of getting a music place at Prendergast? do you have to play an instrumt to a high level or can you also sing? is it very compentitive? what's the test like? and most important what's the school like in terms of atmosphere, sport, extra curricular activities.

For Graveney: What are the chances of getting an academic place; I believe there are 60 places based on the Wandsworth test; is this a reaslitic option? with children there who can tell me what the school is like.

Thank you

OP posts:
SE13Mummy · 03/10/2016 02:42

Prendergast has full details of the music aptitude test in the admissions section of the school website. Last year (current Y7), 142 girls applied for the 12 music places. Presumably most of them will have been girls who sat the initial aural test and applied under the music category even if they weren't one of the 60 to be invited to audition. There were definitely more than 142 who took the aural test last October. We spoke to the head of music when DD1 was in Y5 who mentioned that the standard of playing/singing really doesn't matter and that it's about the child's potential and her interest in/passion for her instrument. I don't think my DD was asked about grades in the audition but she was asked about the sort of ensembles she'd like to have an opportunity to play in.

The home to school distance for the last place offered this year was 1141.620m (inclusive of the 30 additional girls admitted as a one-off bulge class) so a child who lives 2km away is unlikely to get in on distance.

Our experience so far is that it is a lovely school with a lot of opportunities to take part in extra-curricular activities. Homework is a bit tricky to plan for as there doesn't seem to be a homework timetable but that's hardly a deal-breaker. DD1 is loving her Y7 experience so far, has a good group of friends and we're pleased that we chose Prendergast over grammar school (she had a guaranteed place).

villaoformen · 02/10/2016 18:53

Don't discount Graveney, it may be worth putting on your list as you have 6 options. Best advice I can give you is do the journey your dc would have to at the same time they would be travelling. If it seems acceptable (bearing in mind the long day and probable after school clubs) go for it.

There are now 70 selective places at Graveney but I would advise practicing over the next year using Bond books and then GL Assessment books. The last few years there have been around 2000 applicants and a score of 250 out of 280 have been enough. The test is roughly 80 questions in 50 mins, so they need to sustain answering a question accurately every 40ish seconds, right to the end. After the scores have standardised it effectively means just dropping a few points in each test. Defo possible but needs practice imo.

Blu · 02/10/2016 18:40

And are you looking at Charter?
Catchments for schools can be quite tight, but lots of good schools in the vicinity.

Original poster
user1475317873 · 02/10/2016 18:30

Thank you Blu and Villa, very useful information.

We live in East Dulwich; half an hour bus ride from Prendergast and one hour from Graveney, 2 buses or walk and a train (according to google)

I will check when the opening days are for both schools, also will look at Kingsdale and Sydenham School as the chances of a music place in Prendergast and an Academic place at Graveney are not that high.

OP posts:
villaoformen · 02/10/2016 12:45

Our DD is thriving and happy, both academically and socially at Graveney. Very little difference to Alleyn's, where our other dc is, in terms of teaching and aspirations. But and it is a but, no school is worth an awful journey for your kid.

Blu · 01/10/2016 22:49

That would be a nightmare journey to Graveney! As for chances of getting an academic place at Graveney: well that depends on your dd's abilities. It is 'super-selective' in that for the 60 places distance is not an offer , so there can be applications from miles around, including families doing the whole 11+ tutoring thing.

State schools are not allowed to offer scholarship places for music on levels of accomplishment, it has to be on 'aptitude' , so no, no instrument at high level needed. Though of course those who are used to playing and singing will presumably feel ore comfortable with the tests. They will tell you at the Open Days whether singing is included.

Have you visited these schools? You can visit when you are in Yr 5, you don't have to wait til yr 6, but di definitely visit all your nearby schools. is Sydenham within reach? Everyone I know who has girls there speaks very highly of it.

Is Prendergast your closest secondary?

If your dd is musical there are other S London schools that offer music scholarships - Kingsdale, if there is a bus that goes your way along the S Circular, and they have a lottery admissions system so distance is not an issue - except for the journey, of course.

Original poster
user1475317873 · 01/10/2016 19:17

Thank you

We are 2 kilometers away from Prendegarst so that's definitely the closest.

OP posts:
Noitsnotteatimeyet · 01/10/2016 15:07

Which do you live closest to? Lewisham to Furzedown every day would be a nightmare commute for an 11 year old

However if she does the Wandsworth test you'll know her result before your application form goes in so you'll know if it's worth putting Graveney down

Fwiw I have a child at the school - it's ok but my dc goes there as it's our local school - it's not so good as to make up for a long and tiring commute