KCS (Kings College Wimbledon) 11+ 2020

Thanks @SARTN this is really helpful.

Can’t help thinking that we too are going to realise a lot with hindsight/ late in the process and so really appreciate the support on here.

Only have one DC, so it’s not even that I can say we know for next time!

@Thisonesfortheroad
My son did do exam practice at the end with Independent Thinkers and few other companies - which I think would have been more helpful if he did that much earlier than last minute as no time to improve. We also got exam paper plus interview book - which had common questions and tips to answer etc. I think for interview it's practice practice. I have done some notes on what was asked for KCS this year for my son - why Kings, what do you do in spare time, fav subject, fav topic, short comprehension and questions, what do you think is the new scientific research, what do you think - should we let refugees from war countries or floads area into the country as refuge? any questions to ask? what is your fav thing in school?
Exam part - was writing describe a building

It is always good to attend the open day and read the website before the interview.

hope this helps

Sorry I have just seen this message. We decided Westminster at the end. Very difficult decision.

@SARTN any tips for KCS interviews you can share now that you’ve been through them successfully?

SARTN what did you decide? If you’ve decided? We have the same quandary between these two schools.

Dilemma with offers KCS 11+ vs St Pauls 13+? Anyone in the same dilemma with me? Anyone with this experience can share some pros and cons of these schools. Thank you

Yes, I think in “normal” times decisions are mailed out by hard copy on a Thursday to arrive on the Friday. Seems like they’ve moved to email this year so will just send out results by email on Friday, 12th February.

SARTIN

I just checked 13+ website and it says Result emailed on Friday, 12 February.
So most probably 11+ is the same day like other schools. Good luck.

KCS website says Thursday 12th Feb so is it Thursday 11th or Friday 12th results via email ? Do you know?
Thanks

SARTN - thanks so much for your input, all makes sense and sounds reasonable. Just a heads up that KCS admissions website has been updated so that it says results will be emailed on 12th February.

My son has done KCS 11+ just finished interview on Friday. this is only my understanding.....that after the interview one of the days they sit around a table with each kids file and discuss each and every child so I think it is an overall - if you have done exceptionally well in ISEB i can't see how they will dismiss it and only look at the interview/exam stage. When I received feedback for 9 and 10+ on reserve list it was detailed for each and every section performance. KCS has also mentioned several times that e.g in ISEB they don't only look at overall score - so if you did really well in maths and not so well in others they will still call for interview.
Sorry not very specific answer but this is my experience and understanding
Fingers cross for results 11th Feb - says posted but i really hope it will be email

Does any know how 11+ offer decisions are made (specifically thinking re KCS). Is it a case of once through to interview stage, everyone then is on equal footing and it really comes down to interview performance (i.e. accept or not based on interview) or is the interview still weighted amongst all other factors (i.e exam performance, school report, reference, etc)?

hi just received 11+ KCS results today. Any more tips of what to prepare for interview and written will be appreciated.
Anyone knows how many called for interview/second stage ?
Will it be the 1st year next year that current KCJS boys will join new boys in Year 7? As I heard previously boys from KCJS don't move at year 7 to senior school so only new boys to senior school, is that correct?
Thank you

hi.... just received 11+ KCS results today. Any tips of what to prepare for interview and written will be appreciated.
Anyone knows how many called for interview/second stage ?
Will it be the 1st year next year that current KCJS boys will join new boys in Year 7? As I heard previously boys from KCJS don't move at year 7 to senior school so only new boys to senior school, is that correct?
Thank you

I like the creativity of those questions @Mycatslovedreamies

@ripple11 thanks for the tip re: Reeds, will try and get along to their open events to find out more.

Do you know/ have any experience of Claremont Fan Court School?

Thank you Mycatslovedreamies for absolutely brilliant insight into the interview qustions! May as well ask him to relax as it seems like it's thinkng on their feet and analytical skills under pressure are what they are testing now! many thanks

With the move to ISEB be prepared for the interviews to be more academic. I have got two DS' into both KCS and Hampton and the interview format changed each time so you really don't know what you are going to get. AT KCS one DS was asked to do a pretty complicated math problem at the interview and then discuss his workings and was also asked to analyse an advertisement for a product. The other DS (a few years later) had to read a passage from a book (not sure what it was but it was based in the second world war) and then answer some questions about the passage and then about war in general. He was also shown two picture and asked to pick one to discuss - from discussing with other candidates there were numerous pictures with themes like pollution, space and time, ethics etc. Hampton used to be a fairly straightforward interview discussing your hobbies etc when DS1 sat it but when DS2 sat it he had to discuss a piece of modern art which was really random (especially considering he is a very literal sort of boy!). So just be prepared for the unexpected as ISEB won't give them all the insights they will need. Good luck everyone!

Hi we are also going for KCS as well as KGS and Reed's. Both KCS and Reed's are doing ISEB tests this year, theu changed to this format because of Covid. Fingers crossed the boys will do well.

@Thisonesfortheroad so potentially KCS, KGS and Hampton?
IMHO you need at least one back up that isnt so academic ....ie Reeds? isnt too far and run buses.
Make sure you double check with the websites /admissions as it seems Covid is causing changes this year to the exam formats. ie KGS are not doing Verbal Reasoning this year.
Coming from a state primary, without a tutor who knows whats expected, is certainly doable .....but you need to be well focused on putting in the work at home!

@ripple11 tbh we want to stay as local to us as possible. KGS or Hampton would be the nearest. Are we being naive limiting our approach to just these and catching up on the syllabus at home? I dunno, probably...especially as not many states to choose from either

@Thisonesfortheroad

Great to hear you are still going for it.
One other obvious tip....lots of reading!
Are you looking at any other indie schools?

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice. We’ve taken a look at the online samples over the summer and had a casual go (not timed or anything). Looks as though he’s going to cover some of the syllabus off at home, especially with the C-19 interruption to schooling. English may be our stumbling block, especially as is timed. We have not come across verbal reasoning before so will signup to BOFA as DS quite enjoyed “playing” with it online!

DS went from a state primary. Tutor from beginning Year 5. Low key, didn't matter if missed a few sessions. Plenty of past papers in Autumn Year 6. Start with Bond Books then GL assessment. Purely anecdotally, but English seems to particularly important. Don't worry about the interview yet - they pick DS who (echo what another poster has said) have a natural curiosity about the world. You can't really tutor that. You will know if that is your DS.

Luckily DS went to a school which prepped him for this, but to try and help:
Download the sample Maths and English papers on their website, as well as similar from other London day schools where available.
You will need to source sample verbal reasoning papers.
Lots of practise! BOFA is good.
The standard is high and a good tutor who is up to speed with the London Day school exam system would help a child who will not get prep in a state primary.... especially if you aren't familiar with the selective 11+ process.
I wouldn't worry too much about the interview. They put DS's at ease to talk! 10/15 mins chatting about hobbies/school / why Kings? / maybe a picture to describe /the odd searching question with no right or wrong answer!
Its a fantastic school and if his current school thinks he can do it, definitely go for it, best of luck.

Our experience is a solid KS2 (end of Year 6) knowledge and strong writing skills were all needed to pass the test. As for interviews, our DS (also from a state primary) had never been interviewed prior to the day and had no idea what an interview was like. He has a natural curiousity about everything and when someone talks to him about an intelligent topic he simply lights up. Perhaps a bit of luck as well. We DIY all the way and really didn’t know much what was required.
Good luck!