As the Tiffin results day looms, a second 2019 SW London grammars and indies thread

FlumePlume Like you, I worried about the journey time to both Tiffin and SPGS. It is 45 minutes to an hour for both from where we are, depending on travel choices. DD doesn't do extra-curricular stuff in the week but she does have about 40 mins minimum music practice to fit in most days and I will not lie - she has been shattered at times and sometimes gives it a miss which she would never have done before, because she loves it so much.

Having said that, I have been really pleasantly surprised at how minimal the homework load has been. So swings and roundabouts really. Most of her friends at other schools, both state and private, are getting way more homework than she has done.

However, it is a long day. They don't finish school until 4pm and it is nearly five by the time she's home and she is often very tired. I think it's a bit like when they start primary school - I suspect a lot of it is mental load.

She is honestly flourishing, though. She feels like she has really found her place and is so happy that it is lovely to see. I am very sure that we made the right decision for her - and I would go for whatever your heart tells you in your shoes.

Flumeplume just to add, my DD got through to round 2 of Tiffin and waitlisted by PHS. That surprised me, I thought the two would be similar. It's not just WHS throwing up anomalies. I would contact the Registrar as people have suggested and tell them how keen you are.

Are there any tricks to bribe the registrar?

Am I allowed to join in? We’re just waiting for Tiffin Girls on 1 March - we didn’t do any other entrance exams so if DD doesn’t get in she’ll be going to the local secondary. Any others in the same boat? Most of you seem to be going to go for private schools, which isn’t an option for us. Congratulations to those of you who got offers from your favourites though 🙂

FlumePlume - DD s school have had a few precedent turning down SPGS for different reasons, and they are all happy and doing well. We are actually thinking about doing the same. It needs to be the right school for you DD and your family. And half term fee would be a hefty deposit to lose for most families.

We did not like Tiffin and it seems quite remote from decent transport unless you are lucky and have a direct bus route (another issue we had with LEH; at least they have a decent bus). Going out of town you have a lot fewer options. Public bus or train and bus. Going to hammersmith there’s tube and overground to Olympia. If you are within reach of the bus from the village, even better.
A 20 minute walk could be hard - presumably she can take a bus instead? Most days indie schoolgirls are so laden with sports kit and heavy schoolbags (and possibly instruments) right from the off that many people I know living much closer to school are still driving to pick up, particularly in Y7/8 when the evenings are dark.

FlumePlume- DD is at WHS having got a WL place- happy to share the details of how it all worked if you want to PM me.

Would you consider moving Plumeflume. We thought of moving earlier if my daughter dont go to the near by one, I was feeling very excited about it as we have been living in our house for nearly 10 yrs, a change is nice.(I also have a younger child who is only in reception). SPGS is a great reason to move. Now as we have decided where to go and its only 25mins door to door so I am thinking of redecorating the spare room for her to move into and her younger sister to move into her room, switching around a little to be able to still have the feeling of moving, changing.

ilikegibbons, NHEHS seems to have done well academically, and we met a few old girls from DD s current school (not many) and they are really happy there. I think the location and smaller external intake put some people off but we like it and are seriously considering it. (Maybe you can phone the registar and ask if you can see the school again?). Good luck with your decision process!

@FlumePlume - I think you're local to me and if so I would think carefully about the SPGS commute. I actually think the Tiffin commute isn't that great but it is better and lots of SW19 girls do it. I know of girls who do go to SPGS from our area but there aren't many.

I know people will say definitely go for SPGS for the reputation but to be frank it sounds like your DD is able and will do academically well at any of the schools. Do not underestimate the importance of any easy commute. All 3 of my DC can get to school within 30 mins on a bus or 15 mins in car if I need to get them to early morning rowing/circuits/music. This happens quite a lot!

One of the reasons schools tend to over offer is because they know that people get quite upset about being put on the waiting list. Even candidates who were originally desperate for a place will often take somewhere else that offers a firm place even if it wasn’t initially their first choice. I suppose it comes down to wanting to go where you feel wanted.

@Flume which school do you really want? Which does your DD really want?

Re Tiffin and SPGS, from my personal experience of DD's year at SPGS, every girl who also took Tiffin (that DD knows of) seems to have got in. I don't know how it works the other way round!

Congratulations to all of your brave and hardworking children. May they all have very happy secondary school experiences ahead of them.

HerdingPigs thank you! We only found out its existence because of the Consortium and applied because it seemed very down to earth somehow whilst having all the + points - academic but nurturing, lovely kids, great music, good facilities, pool etc. But DD sat the exam elsewhere so haven't seen it as much as other schools. And it's very "below the radar". It always seems to be the same schools that get discussed and I can't tell why this one isn't (though i do remember the Head saying it was West London's best kept secret!)

I would go for SPGS 100% if I was given a choice. The other great schools are all great but SPGS wins without any hesitation.

Attracted* not attached!

ilikegibbons - we did and have an offer from NHEHS too. We have been there a few times (opening evening, interviews etc.). DD liked the experience and like the staff she chatted with. Feels very nurturing to us. What attached you to apply initially?

Don't give up hope. I know someone turning down a WHS place. Others will be too.

I think what WombatChocolate says is a good plan.

Personally turning down SPGS is insane. Your DD is very lucky to be wanted. 11+ outcome has a surprise always, but girls who are identified to be suite to the school almost always do well in my opinion, as if the school knows who to pick. Look at the result.

What deadline have SPGS given?

Flume I've heard of waitlisted girls going on to become head girl at the school they were waitlisted for, don't take the waitlist personally.

WHS will go to waitlist, they made 70ish offers for 60 places. They are expecting to go to waitlist and were trying to avoid overfilling the year group due to the impending building work.

Been lurking around for a while! Did anybody out there apply to Notting Hill and Ealing? There is barely any discussion/gossip about the school anywhere compared to other SW/W London schools. Looking to say yes to an offer from it but seems like such an unknown it's almost putting me off! Thank you in advance!

FlumePlume, now all the offers are out I would wait until after half term and see if the wait lists start to move as people make their decisions. An offer before the deadline would be good, if not would you be willing to lose the deposit on SPGS if a place at WHS came up and you decide they are your preferred option?