Upcoming girls’ independent SW London schools 11+ exams

@Stircrazyschoolmum I hope you tell them (those friends and premts), there has evidently been absolutely nothing easy about ISEB as some of us are discovering. We haven’t had any of our schools invite back for interview following ISEB, l and neither have some others on her too and many that I know. It is not considered an easy test. Previously only the super elite schools used this for testing. I think schools decided to opt for it due to COVID disruptions, as it was the most readily available comprehensive computerised online testing. I have heard many prep school children found it extremely hard and even teachers were shocked.

I guess when the school isn’t in the top choices it does make it harder to then cope with the least favourite school’s chops and changes. Must all seem a bit pointless. I wouldn’t say it is our top choice but favoured by DC.

@flossietea I think they you are right and perhaps they are interviewing most of the girls to ensure a fair process. A few girls in DDs class were very surprised to be asked for an interview as LEH was a long shot for them (I.e. those in the lower sets).

They definitely don’t interview everyone in normal years, but could well be interviewing more this year to compensate for the short test. Everyone I know who applied has got an interview too.
Just got to remember an interview is not an offer! Can’t relax just yet.

@Yossahughes it’s so hard to tell isn’t it? How many places are available? Do they have a junior school?

Everyone in DDs class who applied got an interview so I am now panicking that perhaps they said they will interview everyone?...which is absolutely fine (and maybe they should as the test was so brief) but I don’t want to get ahead of myself with too much excitement yet...

Fantastic news on all the interviews! whoop whoop!

@MumsRule20 it’s definitely not in our top three.. we applied (ironically) because their process was different to ISEB.

I agree it’s been an uncertain and stressful year. I love it when parents from my elder class tell me how ‘easy’ we’ve had it due to ISEB!!

Yey, DD too! One of our top choices so fingers crossed! Well done everyone.

We got an interview too.

We got it too . I'm feeling light headed with the nervous excitement!

We got a letter too! And an interview for DD! Hooray!!

It’s smaller than a4 and bigger than a regular envelope (can’t think what then size is called) and has LEH emblazoned on the back ...

Congrats @yossahughes . Is it an A3 or A5 envelope ? Spare my craziness but I'm just trying to preempt before the letter comes in

Got the letter from LEH and DD has an interview next week - now I’m trying to remember if they said they were going to interview everyone...?

@Stircrazyschoolmum lots of good and very valid points. Just all doesn’t bare thinking about does it? I think you could be very right in saying they will probably discount it altogether and am sure against the child’s interview and reports etc. they will be able to easily spot who would have had any help so it won’t go in anyone’s favour to cheat or assist their child.

Pls remind me, is the school your back up or preferred choice?

@dinosaurinmybelly absolutely that is a good point re: the application fee refund! Also about anxieties already running high for all.

I have to say I am glad Emanuel acknowledged impact of all this in their letter yesterday and various other points as a result of today’s circumstances / process etc. I guess so many factors and such a tight timeline, that it must be very difficult for them. I think some of us knew it was ambitious trying to take a 2.5hr paper exam online in a short space of time and for it to run smooth and it was at that point it should have just been scrapped or else shortened big time...

Good luck to everyone still waiting on news,
exams, interviews, call back assessments etc. Try keep faith and if we don’t get the outcome we wish for and for which our DC have worked so hard for, it just isn’t meant to be, nothing lost...to look at positive experience DC’s would have gained from this brutal and unfair process (more brutally so than in the history of 11+). As parents, I think it has been hugely taxing on us - how we have had to keep up with all the changes, timetabling and quietly and calmly working out how to schedule and adapt to it all several times over. I also think all state school applicants are more disadvantaged than ever for this year’s entrance despite each schools attempts to recognise this and adjust in their favour. The gap is even wider...

@MumsRule20 I think where it’s a candidates first choice school because their sibling is there and/or there are perhaps limited other options and/or it’s very local, there will be a strong temptation to ‘help’ (I think this is slightly more the case for boys locally but that’s anecdotal and by no means implying parents of boys cheat more than girls!!)

I think the majority of parents will approach it as a lesson in integrity, but given how competitive the spaces are I simply can’t see how some unscrupulous/desperate parents won’t try to help their offspring.. it’s biologically programmed. At one level this might mean a tips sheet, at another use of a calculator or dictionary, and in the extreme, a sibling or parent completing the exam!

I’m wondering if they will discount the exam almost entirely and are only going ahead with it because they have completely messed up some kids Christmas’s! If they binned it, they would have to offer to return the registration fee I guess? (Actually, no, probably not as so far they seem to have done whatever they felt like!)

Handhold to all those waiting for post today.. fingers crossed for you all. x

@Stircrazyschoolmum I know - not fun is this? I am still in shock from email yesterday. Glad they addressed there was an issue and have tried to make amends but it all seems pointless now. Certainly, if not invigilated it is left open to “cheating” or chances that parents eager to get their child in might help. They have put their trust in us for that children complete it on their own with integrity. We can only hope all honour this.

It really would have been fairer to cancel after the issues from last week. They have enough other info (enhanced interview, report, reference etc.) A real lottery.

Like you, I do also wonder how they will now assess the work and combined efforts and their expectations are now in selecting applicants?

We are not in the Emmanuel process, but I am shocked that they have not offered a refund to those that want it at this stage. The application fees are not cheap and their process has been botched. Anxiety is running high about Friday in a lot of households and everyone could have done without that. The JAGS process was also a little unnerving for us with the creative writing task based on trust and the late change to CAT test for some of the candidates. Sending virtual hugs to those involved...

Nearly there... we are also waiting for WHS news on Friday. The WHS and PHS process has been the most carefully supported in my view. Hats off to the admissions teams at those schools.

Eitel and wagonwheelcoffeetable hoping there is some good news coming your way soon. I too have had early disappointments in previous years, only to have everything work out for the best.

That’s a good thought - I forgot that the postal service has issues in some areas.... I don’t understand the need to send a letter either - especially during covid! Some schools were making a big deal about having to quarantine papers for 72 hours before marking them....

@PatoPato I’m relieved it’s not just us! I’ll be calling them tomorrow morning if we hear nothing today

Our post is usually due at around 1pm.

@Yossahughes nothing so far but our post sometimes doesn’t come until the afternoon. I doubt it will come today anyway if only posted yesterday. WHY they couldn’t send emails I don’t know!

...and has anyone had post today from LEH about interviews? Our post is always late so don’t want to get into a tizzy for no reason...

@Flossietea we've heard nothing from them and are first thing on Friday. DD won't even be properly awake!
It's so unnerving & I keep panicking that we've missed something we should be attending

Has anyone heard from G&L with interview details yet? It just occurred to me to today that it’s in two days and we don’t have any log on info or anything.