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Original poster

Upcoming girls’ independent SW London schools 11+ exams

994 replies

Oceane11plus · 08/07/2020 11:50

Are there any parents on this board with DDs due to sit independent school exams in January? If so where do you stand in terms of shortlisting schools, revisions etc Are you planning to do any work over the summer?

We are still in the process of fine tuning the list of schools... We will probably end up applying to about 4/5 schools, of which 2 are in the same consortium which means 3/4 exams max.
As far as I am aware, our prep has not recommended any specific revisions for the summer, but I was still planning to make her write some maths, English and VR/NVR past papers, as 2 months without doing anything seems too much so close to the exams. I was thinking of making her do one paper a week in each subject, on top of reading and boosting her vocabulary, with two weeks in August without any paper/formal work.

Any tips on what we should be doing at this stage and over summer holidays, notably from parents with past experience, would be super useful!

Thank you

OP posts:
Tabitha957 · 11/11/2020 19:17

@Oceane11Plus thanks for that! I had a look at some of the practice books we have been doing and some of them say “suitable for CEM” prep so I guess we have been doing some of the right preparation without even knowing it! Smile

Original poster
Oceane11Plus · 11/11/2020 19:14

It’s a bit late now but if you haven’t already you can still buy specific CEM VR, NVR and mental maths books. They all do it CGP, Bond etc

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Original poster
Oceane11Plus · 11/11/2020 19:08

@Tabitha957 Previous DC sat the test some years ago and from what I can remember it was a mix of VR/comprehension, Non Verbal and Maths. All I can remember is that the VR was mostly about vocabulary and comprehension, the maths and NVR was pretty standard stuff. We did not do specific practice beyond normal 11+ revisions and DC did well in the tests despite the fact the preparation was not very focused on this CEM test but more geared towards the written exams. I can’t remember if it was adaptive and I don’t think we were able to figure it out. All I can remember is DC discussing with a friend after the test about some questions they had in common. Timing wise I don’t remember how it works, sorry. Good luck to your DD. I totally understand how you’re feeling. We’re in the same boat, DD is sitting the ISEB pretest very soon and we could have done with an extra month (or two!) of practice. But looking on the bright side, it will soon be mostly over and we can look forward to a relaxing Christmas Grin

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Tabitha957 · 11/11/2020 16:08

The stress of all this is beginning to get to me! DD has her first pre-test at the weekend for GHS. Instead of making it easier for us it feels like they have made it more stressful by bringing it forward to November - I am feeling like DD is not prepared and could have done with the Christmas holidays!

The test is computer based - something called the CEM Select? Its only an hour long so not sure how much they will be able to glean from it - not sure if it adaptive like the ISEB? Anyone know anything about it?

Stircrazyschoolmum · 10/11/2020 17:29

Mutual hand hold everyone.. I’m focussing only on getting to the end of the month right now!!

@PatoPato I totally get what you are saying.. big numbers of applicants but everyone finds their place and it levels out. For context I looked up the numbers quoted for 2018 for Alleyns (I went to their sept open day) That years (successful) cohort was 150 children from 62 schools. Including 50 from their Junior school. So assuming 100 successful kids from 61 schools and (6-8?) applicants per space. Perhaps that’s no different to any other year??

WarmAndco3y · 10/11/2020 16:39

We’ve applied for less than my older DD too, we pulled out of one, as they wanted her to sit ISEB a bit too early, and couldn’t give us a slot anyway. Our school refused to cooperate with the process.
I do feel we’ve put all our eggs in one basket, but trusting for the best outcome for DD.

stellagibbons · 10/11/2020 13:37

We've only applied to two independents, but that is mainly because we want to stay fairly local. To be honest, our independent applications are only really to keep DD's options open - we have a couple of state options we really like as well, although unfortunately neither are a given (although one is looking much more promising now).

I think there will be plenty of families in our position as well as the ones who are covering all bases with their independent applications.

I can't even remember expressing an interest in the JAGs taster - I assume that's been sent out to all applicants? And, as sod's law would have it, in a month where we have NOTHING else on, DD has the dentist then and really needs to go as she needs a referral for the orthodontist.

Original poster
Oceane11Plus · 10/11/2020 13:03

Phew, got the email too!
We’re “only” applying to 4 schools. Normally this would be enough but we don’t have any real “back-up” (the back-up is FH which I guess is no longer a banker these days). We seem to have done the opposite of everyone and are applying to less schools than we did with older DCs, partly because I’m tired of this process, and partly because I thought there is no point in sitting exams for the sake of it even if I know deep down the school is not suited. We’ve also made a conscious choice of single sex (though would consider coed for 6th form).
A long winded answer to say that in hindsight, it’s a dangerous strategy we have adopted, even more so in such an unusual and unpredictable year!

OP posts:
PatoPato · 10/11/2020 11:41

Oooo - and I finally got an email from FHSS this morning requesting the examination form be filled out. It was a relief to know we are on their radar!

PatoPato · 10/11/2020 11:40

Oceane - these huge, scary numbers get quoted for the applications:places ratio every year on these threads. I don't think that there will be a massive increase in applications this year, maybe a little. At our primary most people are applying to a similar number of schools as we all did when I went through it with DS 2 years ago. One parent has applied to an extra school because of the ISEB but that's about the sum of it. I thought many more would do this - myself included but I couldn't find an extra one to chuck in - we've simply got one less exam because of it.
I'm totally with you on the secrets hopes thing though!

Original poster
Oceane11Plus · 10/11/2020 11:20

God these numbers are so scary Sad I can't help feeling down about it and imagining the worst case scenario. DD is sitting her ISEB pretest soon but I feel she would me much better prepared if she was sitting it in January or even December, as some will be doing.
Does anyone know how many are applying to these selective London schools this year vs previous years? I am secretly hoping that the impact from the recession and families moving out of London due to being able to WFH means that there will be less applicants... (in our area a lot of families have already moved out of London).

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WarmAndco3y · 10/11/2020 10:48

I think the schools are going to have to figure out who is really likely to take up offers, more so this year than any other year.
They have their work cut out for them. I know they are used to working these things out, it just seems there is more in the dynamics this time around.

Stircrazyschoolmum · 10/11/2020 10:27

Hmm that’s interesting about the sports assessment.. that was early Dec I think? Got the email last night saying kids for over 300 schools... 300!!! Had applied.. I’m sure that’s significantly more that last year and perhaps driven by ISEB?

WarmAndco3y · 10/11/2020 09:31

DD also doing the taster day.
Her interview is next week, and ISEB in a couple or weeks. I’ll be glad when it’s over. She is actually excited about the interview, I haven’t told her she may not do the creative writing piece on the same day yet.

We also received email from Alleyn’s saying they have cancelled their sports scholarship assessment

@Stircrazyschoolmum, well done to your DD. Must be good to get one out of the way.

Original poster
Oceane11Plus · 10/11/2020 08:48

@Stircrazyschoolmum Great news for the interview, well done to your DD especially as it was the first one!
DD will definitely do the taster day on the 24th, I think she should enjoy it. It’s meant to be a couple of interactive lessons with quizzes etc

OP posts:
Stircrazyschoolmum · 09/11/2020 18:05

Ps.. they didn’t fit it all into 20 mins.. they overran by 10!

Stircrazyschoolmum · 09/11/2020 18:04

Anyone else’s girls doing the JAGS taster on the 24th? I’m thrilled they might get to meet each other?!

Emanuel interview went really well today.. like OP i skulked outside the door and she did all she could do.. first is the worst.. moving on!

Stircrazyschoolmum · 06/11/2020 15:04

Welcome to the thread mulledwine I’m glad your daughter enjoyed her interview. I think there’s a bit of mental maths involved but otherwise just a chat?

We have Emanuel next week which involves a whole pre-interview form to complete, discussion of an object, mental maths and something creative.. usually talking about a picture.. how they will fit all that into 20 mins is beyond me!

ISEB getting very close now.. it will be sooo nice to have it over!

stellagibbons · 05/11/2020 16:58

I'm glad your DD enjoyed her interview @MulledWine20 - I hope it went well.

That's interesting about the creative writing exercise. Hopefully we'll get a fair bit of warning about when it will be so we can organise. We are all open plan so it takes a little bit of organising for us to sort out siblings etc for things like this.

MulledWine20 · 05/11/2020 15:31

Same. She was so excited about it and was a bit sad when I told her everything would take place at home. However I agree it was a very wise decision from the school as we never know how the situation is going to develop. Like others on this post I was a bit skeptical initially about the Zoom interview but when the technology works well and the setup is good (DC in a quiet room for the interview etc), it's actually pretty similar to the face to face experience. Also bear in mind it's a 15mn interview so very short.

Good luck to your DD for the interview and the ISEB test. Ours is very soon...

WarmAndco3y · 05/11/2020 15:21

Thank you. DD’s interview is week after the next.

She was looking forward to the drive up there. But completely understandable the precautions they are taking

MulledWine20 · 05/11/2020 15:10

@WarmAndco3y We received an email from the registrar the day before the interview with the Zoom login details. In this email we were also told that the creative writing task would not take place on the same day as the interview, they would be in touch shortly with an essay question and protocol. It will be an essay to be completed in 25 minutes and to be returned that evening by email or first class post. I believe they might email all the applicants at the same time with the essay question, but I'm not certain about it.

When is your DD's interview?

WarmAndco3y · 05/11/2020 15:02

haven’t

WarmAndco3y · 05/11/2020 14:56

@MulledWine20
Thank you for your response. I’m glad it your DD enjoyed, and came out happy. Well done to her.
Interesting re writing task. Did JAGS inform you beforehand that it was being postponed? We have received anything to that effect. I wonder how they plan to pull that one off, with everyone doing it together. I just feel the likelihood of getting everyone onsite to do it gets slimmer as we get more into the winter months.

MulledWine20 · 05/11/2020 14:44

@WarmAndco3y Yes we have, all very straightforward. DD enjoyed it and came out of the room very happy. There is no need to worry about it. The writing task has been postponed. I believe all the applicants will have to do it at the same time.

I'm new to Mumsnet, my DD is applying to a handful of girls' independent schools, so I shall be following this post closely!