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Original poster

Secondary choices, help! Graveney, Kingsdale, Norwood, Ursuline, BTG

32 replies

sara75 · 19/10/2018 22:48

Hello, feeling a bit confused and needing to hear from any of you who have kids in one of these schools:))
I need to decide on what order to put these schools down on the CAF form:
Graveney; we got 245 which just might get my daughter in late August/early September. She is arty and decently academic. I liked the school when I visited but cannot remember what the Art department looked like, believe it or not..
Kingsdale; we got an half scholarship in music. With the intent of course to apply for the Srt one of she gets in. Looks like it might, just might, give us some kind of tiny priority when we are put on the waiting list. So, again, might be a late August business. Really really liked the school when visited.
Norwood; we got an art scholarship. Loved the art department but not an academic school and unsure about some of the kids’ behaviour when visiting. Coming from a strict catholic school, it did surprise me... My little one being a bit of a follower too.
Ursuline; a bit far from us but potentially my favourite catholic option. We have been doing the weekly masses for years and have priest’s reference etc. Good academically but not impressed by Art department. But very polite and sensible young girls produced by the school.
BTG: same as above really but I would probably prefer a girls only if I have to choose.

Not sure how to proceed on form. Do we stand a chance with Graveney (predicted mark for end of August offer is 248) and is it worth including it? Did anyone here got into Kingsdale on s half scholarship?
Anyone with children in Norwood who could tell me how they are finding it?
Any ad I’ve greatly appreciated!

OP posts:
Laidbackorlazy · 20/10/2018 16:15

Just on Kingsdale - I know of several children offered half scholarships this year, and none have been offered a place, and also of Someone with a full scholarship who was only offered a place late August. They don’t limit the number of scholarships they give, so having one is not a guarantee of getting an offer - apparently this year they had 600 more applicants than previous years so number of scholarships given was higher.

maz99 · 20/10/2018 09:58

Am i right in thinking that the waiting list is in the order of the scores?

Yes, that is correct.

And so all the full scholarships are above the half scholarships, and dc place on list depends on her score?

This is also correct.

Basically, having a scholarship (full or half) means you have better chance, than those without a scholarship, of getting a place from the waiting list.

FYI - Kingsdale run a 2 week summer school for new year 7s... you have of sending for a few days, 1 week or both weeks.

My DD went the whole 2 weeks and lived it... it gave her confidence for the 1st day if school as it was all familiar and she had already met some of the teachers.

BTW - I like Kingsdale... it’s good for a high attaining children.

bookmum08 · 20/10/2018 09:57

I have just thought if folks look at other posts I have done about Secondary schools they might think I have some kind of hate/vendetta against Kingsdale! I haven't! I promise. I just don't quite understand why people make such a fuss over it and send their kids miles to go there. Same with the Harris schools. I don't like them but loads of people are desperate to send their kids there. If the OP/others like Kingsdale and are fine with it then ignore me! Ha Ha.
Is vendetta a word?

bookmum08 · 20/10/2018 09:50

I much prefer Norwood over Kingsdale. The head at Norwood talked so much about what they do for Year 7s - introducing them to the Secondary world. I love how they have a big thing about bringing up confidence and public speaking. How they have events before the children start the school (the welcome tea) and a day (in Year 6) where the children get the whole school to themselves. All I learned from the Kingsdale head was how many GCSE A*s they get. Great. Lovely. But that's important for the 16 year olds. But what do they do for the tiny 11 year olds?

perfectpanda · 20/10/2018 09:36

I'm in a similar kingsdale norwood dilema and am confused about the half music scholarship for kingsdale which dc also has. Am i right in thinking that the waiting list is in the order of the scores? And so all the full scholarships are above the half scholarships, and dc place on list depends on her score? I never knew about this scoring business that was on the letter. I thought you either get a scholarship or don't and then it was random selection from the scholarship bucket.... i loved norwood btw and have only heard good reports from local year 7 parents.

maz99 · 20/10/2018 08:25

FYI - Kingsdale offers to DCs that have started at the school, the opportunity to apply for an art scholarship.

maz99 · 20/10/2018 08:11

You have a good chance getting in to Kingsdale with a half scholarship, because there is a separate scholarship waiting list from the banding waiting list.

DCs on the scholarship waiting list are selected 2nd after Looked After Children.

My advice would be list all the schools in the order that you really want them, because if you match the criteria for your first choice school then that is what you’ll be offered.

If you’re not offered your first choice, then the system will works it’s way down your list until it finds a school that you match.