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Original poster

As the Tiffin deadline looms, is there a girls SW London grammars / indies thread yet?

969 replies

FlumePlume · 26/08/2018 18:15

I just realised that I need to get the Tiffin Girls form in ASAP, and wondered if anyone else is in the same position? I could do with company in this process!

We’re not yet decided but probably applying to Tiffin, WHS, SPGS, Sutton High and maybe one of PHS / Emanuel / KGS.

OP posts:
Sweetnhappy1 · 19/11/2018 23:49

After Nonsuch and Tiffin, I'm looking forward to seeing how different the drop off process for Wimbledon High is tomorrow. I hope all of your DDs who sat Sutton and St. Paul's were happy with how it went and best of luck to everyone doing WHS tomorrow.

Jimjam68 · 18/11/2018 15:53

3 years ago when DD1 was sitting the Sutton High letters were sent out on 8 December, if that helps.

winterishereithink · 18/11/2018 13:22

Can't answer the Sutton High question but last year Wimbledon sent out their letters a few days earlier than they said they would. Was quite a shock!

jeanne16 · 18/11/2018 13:11

I work in a secondary school where we have taster days, similar to what you describe at Surbiton High. They are done mainly as a marketing exercise (if they enjoy the day, they will hopefully choose us over other schools). It is also done to pick out the odd very difficult character, which we can usually spot a mile off!

Original poster
FlumePlume · 18/11/2018 10:48

Having done Sutton High on Friday, I looked up when they send the results, expecting they’d give a day like WHS. But all I can find is ‘December, before the end of term’.

Does anyone know more? Our post is awful and I’d like to know when to expect it before the end of term and an empty office that won’t answer the phone if I end up having to call to ask whether it’s been sent.

OP posts:
Jimjam68 · 16/11/2018 12:45

Drop and go in 1 minute flat!

Original poster
FlumePlume · 16/11/2018 11:21

Well, that was startling as a comparison to Tiffin, no queue at all!

OP posts:
Greenleave · 15/11/2018 22:19

Good luck to everyone who is doing tomorrow and this weekend test! It will get colder from next week, keep warm!

littlemisslucky2 · 14/11/2018 09:49

My daughter is fairly shy and quiet in situations like this which is what I’m concerned about. However, I think I will still send her so she can get a feel of the school and if they reject her for this reason it’s their loss!! I’ll try and advise her to speak up and ask questions etc but it’s hard when she doesn’t know anyone.

montenuit · 14/11/2018 09:19

I think it's a good thing. Both my dds got offers from SHS and neither chose it, i think because they had had very little exposure to the school vs other schools.

If your dd will perform well in those settings then send her, i would be hesitant however if she was very shy and quiet, or a loud dominant child!

TheExtraGuineaPig · 13/11/2018 13:49

I wondered about it too.. I do think they'll take some notice, perhaps if someone is especially bright/ promising? But I agree that the main reason is probably to get the girls to want to go there. I'm glad DD is getting a chance to see it, I found it a hard school to make my mind up about on the tour.

littlemisslucky2 · 11/11/2018 20:47

Thanks Jimjam, yes maybe that is the case and I’m overthinking things!

Jimjam68 · 11/11/2018 20:22

My take on them was that it was more a marketing exercise aimed at the girls, I.e that if they enjoyed it and have a positive experience, that they might prefer that school over another, or am I being naive?

littlemisslucky2 · 11/11/2018 20:01

Is anyone trying for Surbiton High and been invited to Who am I? sessions? Do these really form no basis in selecting girls for the school? I can’t see why they’d go to the bother of arranging these sessions (and having no interviews) if they weren’t watching the girls and taking notes? Any insight from current pupils/parents/staff of what to expect? Thanks

Original poster
FlumePlume · 11/11/2018 16:21

Jimjam Yes - WHS and (bonus scheduling for extra fun the day before) SPGS. Then no more, unless dd gets through to stage 2 of either of those. It’s the bunching of dates rather than the actual number of exams that’s hard, I think.

OP posts:
Jimjam68 · 11/11/2018 14:43

FlumePlume I think we are living identical lives, at Tiffin on Sat and will be at Sutton on Friday. See you at Wimbledon High in a couple of weeks??

TheExtraGuineaPig · 11/11/2018 13:18

Good luck to everyone! Xx

Original poster
FlumePlume · 11/11/2018 06:32

Dd took her usual fountain pen in and no-one said anything.

Now for Sutton High on Friday, at least that’s only a one stage process.

OP posts:
Sweetnhappy1 · 10/11/2018 16:49

DD used her school handwriting pens this morning for the English and Maths at TGS stage 2. Parking was fine, got space on a side road a 3 minute walk from the school. Luckily the morning was sunny and bright so the queuing didn't feel too bad. So glad that's over!

coldagain · 06/11/2018 18:27

DD would have used uniball / handwriting pens - can't remember for sure but definitely not biro

Sweetnhappy1 · 06/11/2018 18:14

I am also thinking of driving. I'm hoping that getting there for 8am on a Saturday should hopefully be better than a weekday.

Re: pens it says 'two standard non-erasable black or blue pens (biro or ballpoint)' so I've assumed the handwriting ones from school should be ok?

Best of luck to your DDs, we're looking forward to this bit being over!

coldagain · 06/11/2018 12:17

Started...that should say...

coldagain · 06/11/2018 12:17

The queues seemed just as big at stage 2 than stage 1 to be honest! I don't think the Christmas shopping frenzy has stayed quite yet so should be ok?
Good luck!

Original poster
FlumePlume · 06/11/2018 11:35

So Stage 2 is this weekend - does anyone who did it last year know what the traffic is like in Kingston? I’m wondering if it’s worth driving this time, or whether we’re still in ‘it’ll be quicker to walk from the station’ territory. The numbers are lower than stage 1, but it’s nearer to Christmas shopping season.

Did anyone else find the instructions a bit odd - two pens but not school ones, they need to be biros. I need to find some - my dd writes with a fountain pen at school, or sometimes one of the Beryl handwriting pens. But they seem not to be allowed.

OP posts:
Glaciferous · 19/10/2018 22:54

Well done to all your girls, including those that didn't get through to the next part. I actually think putting yourself up to potentially not succeed at 10 or 11 years old is pretty brave so really a big well done to everyone.

Also, for those who are taking other exams too, this is quite a good test to know whether what you are aiming at is a realistic choice or not so valuable whatever the result.

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