Reeds 11+

Thanks all

One more sleep zzzzzzz....

We also got zero post today... doesn't bode well . Will let everyone know either way tomorrow.

Best of luck

Good luck to all who have applied to Reeds...we were in your shoes last year. The Walt will soon be over.... 🤞😊🤞😊

@Surbitonlady Reed’s offers were definitely posted today (hopefully 1st class 😩) so we can expect letters tomorrow or Saturday hopefully.

On Claremont’s website under admissions/keydates it states that offers are posted early February, so I’ll be really surprised if we have any news this week.

Oh I wish all of this can just be over!

Good luck to everyone!

Can I just check it’s tomorrow for reeds and Claremont offers/rejections. If so, is it definitely post not email? Thanks all!

@ticking 🤣 oh dear...

Feeling everyone’s nerves, I’m the same here and hoping it’s a positive outcome as Reeds is our first choice x as I understand it, letters are posted tomorrow (Thursday) so we should hopefully receive them on Friday.....my poor post lady x

Hi everyone!

I wouldn’t think that there is a difference in how they assess private vs state school applications... Wouldn’t think that it would be fair to the children... OK, universities are now seeking to recruit more state school students (and there is a certain rationale to that, depending on one’s personal views) but I think that it would be a stretch to extend the policy to private secondary schools and their 11 year-old potential pupils... I don’t think that we are there yet!

Anyway, DS has not applied to Reeds but can say with certainty that half the kids at his Surrey prep school have. Big numbers...

In the state sector, the Sept '08-Aug '09 academic year, isn't a high birth rate year. At my DS's school, the year before him and after both had 3 form entries (90, due to being high birth rate years)

That makes sense, although 600 applicants and Reeds more popular means less offers to places than in the past, no? Unsure if this is a bulge year?

DS told me he was asked 'the school' question in his interview? So I guess that is some more data that helps them work things out.

Doubt any difference associated between state/prep sector entrants. Why should there be? State teach to SATs and parents additionally tutor (saves early school fees). Preps teach a broader curriculum which is why parents pay to send their DC there.

I think Reeds changed their test this year to try and negate any difference in school/tutoring anyhow.

I am trying to be very positive here. Out of 600 children, a great number would have applied elsewhere too and Reeds may not be their first choice. I am hoping that they would be giving far more offers than places available as some of those kids may not take up the place!!
Oh, what I wouldn't do to open a YES envelope on Thursday!!!

@frazzledmumofboys and @logfire2020 and everyone else on here I'm sure.... you're not alone! We're all feeling the nerves; it's great to have here to let off steam.

The numbers seem to have risen year on year. Is it due to more bus routes opening up thereby some of the Surrey schools becoming more appealing? Is it just simple popularity for choosing independent over state? Bumper birth years? Who knows. It's very mind boggling and has become somewhat of a circus. All our lovely DC deserve places for just going through the process! But I'm trying to trust that when it all shakes down each DC will end up right where they're supposed to be. And until then... there is a large glass of something waiting!

Hang in there x

This is driving me crazy. I’m bracing myself for a ‘no’ having worked myself up into a frenzy reading about CAT scores (?) and number of entrants. Do you think they make allowances for children coming from the state vs private sector? My lovely, sweet DS. It feels like I sent a lamb to the slaughter!

4320 minutes 😏

.....72 hours 😂 Keeping busy!!

Count me in on nervously waiting. Maybe naively un-tutored child here (and it's our 2nd time). We just want DS to go to a school that we think is right and is local. We don't want to bus DS miles, nor move house, nor send him boarding, nor heavily tutor and risk mental breakdown/expense of other stuff.... for years beforehand . ..... and erm fully pay for the privilege.

Also NO idea where the 600+ applicants have come from...

So.. I'm in on the crazy nervous parenting thing. I cannot rest compared to those with assurance of "I've spent x hours on tutoring for 2 years and my 10 year old son can already do A level maths and has an English level of a Poet Laureate." All of which I am ridiculously imagining is going on reading x number of threads...

Fully in with the rest of the nervous parents.. It's going to be a long week!

@ticking ha. Thanks. Maybe you and @BooRadley7 can join the focus group for the new musical. I’m so far leaning with the title “11 Plus 1 Crazy Mama”

Well said Mooo. I’m really not sure why anyone daring to question this disingenuous claim, is perceived by some to be inappropriate. This claim itself is inappropriate. It is misleading at best...

I really do wish Mummy2a all the best and very much hope her DS gets a place at Reeds or other schools she has applied to.

I do think it’s a little disingenuous to come on a thread on which people are anxiously awaiting scholarship recalls, the day before the interviews are to take place, to announce that your DS already has a 50% scholarship . No interview needed. Particularly, as the maximum amount for academic scholarships, as another pp pointed out, is 20%.

As if a school would be awarding scholarships before the interviews have even taken place. What a waste of everyone’s time and effort. Even if he had achieved 100% and was absolutely outstanding in every conceivable way (and maybe he is), they still need to go through the motions if an interview. It’s basic equal opportunities and professional practice.

This kind of thing creates bad feeling because not everyone has a prep head who is even interested in writing them a half-decent reference, let alone phoning the school for privy information.

Finally, even if, in some parallel universe, this has actually happened, the last thing you would do is tell anyone else You could throw the school into disrepute and risk your place!

@Didsomeonesay 🤣 you made my day!

Ill be camping at my letterbox on Friday/Saturday in anticipation for our lovely post lady.

Will the letter be in a big fat A4 or possibly the tiny one?? At least by next week this time we all will have a lot more clarity 🙏

Good luck to you all, I’m sure the schools are experts in choosing the right candidates, children that will flourish there...

This is the first time I’ve been through this process. No prep school guidance (as not in prep), no clue what’s going on, the difference between CEM, GL, VR, NVR.... nothing. Fumbled my way through the lot.

This is the craziest system I’ve ever encountered. I thought if you wanted your kid to go into the private system and you had the funds, you paid and they went.

We would love my son to go to Reeds but we were so clueless at the process that I doubt we’ll get a chance.

I honestly can’t believe I’m obsessing over this. There is so much going on and all I’m doing is trawling the internet for clues as to whether he’s got in or not. A fruitless and idiotic thing to do.

I even went as far to phone the school to see if I too could get ‘an indication’. I was kindly but swiftly told ‘no’. I luckily got a titter when I ended the call “well no problem, totally understand, just trying my luck. If my son does get in then I’m [name removed] if he doesn’t then I’m someone else!” A genuine giggle followed so I’m not feeling ‘the crazy’ alone. The woman said on the phone she’s been bombarded with similar requests and not to feel bad. Poor blimin ladies though.

Does anyone know if there’s an 11+ mothers support group? It must have gin and cheese crackers. I may just start one for next year. A
Small fee of £8k a term and free hair combing and soothing encouraging pep talks!

As a writer and actress, don’t be surprised if “11a+ The Musical” takes to the stage next year