SW London boys, 11+ grammars and independents

Our letter said there was an "unprecedent" number of applicants. We'll be releasing our place next week - just waiting for to see if DS gets a place at Hampton (unlikely). Assuming not, we'll accept Reeds, but I don't want to release the Halliford place until Reeds have confirmed DS is fully registered etc. if that makes sense. This process makes you so paranoid about missing out!

According to our letter Halliford had the most applications in their history apparently, not sure on absolute numbers though. My ds is also on waiting list, his online assessment was pretty horrendous, they spent 45 minutes (!!) getting one child logged in properly while all the other boys in the group just had to sit there. My ds was totally over it all by that point!

Does anyone know how many sat for Halliford this year?

Just heard from Halliford - DS is on the waiting list. Good luck to anyone else getting those results this week!

Halliford's was the only exam DS took at home during lockdown. I could hear him singing to himself while he did it, which is usually a sign he's not entirely concentrating, so I guess his exam results reflect that. However, given we already have a place at another school we like, we can be fairly philosophical about the situation.

LU email on the 12th, so I shall be waiting anxiously then too!

Thanks @BookShark. Guess all we do now is wait.
Well done to all those who achieved Reed's offers! Amazing!!
I have to say, I agree there will be a lot of movement with WL. I'm sure all our DC's will have amazing senior schools awaiting them 🤞

KGS and Hampton are both posting on the 11th, so results on the 12th.

After the relief of yesterday's Reeds offer, I was hoping I'd be more relaxed about this next wait, but no, I'm now impatient to get those results as well!

We had a offer from Reeds. Great news for us. Really good news to have one offer and then we wait for what Feb brings and whether there is a choice

I think there will be movement on the waitlist, I know that we applied for more as we worried about all our schools linked to one ISEB exam.

Hi all, does anyone know when we hear back from Kgs? Are they also posting results on 11th Feb?

LittleBlackBear oh fab thanks, yes it was Alleyn’s. I’ll take a look at SW one

@MarshaBradyo if it was Alleyn’s you’ll find a bit of crossover on the SW London girls thread (second part of this thread - it has pandemic panic in the title!) as some DD did that interview today.

We’re SE London and did another interview today, but I can’t see thread on this area. Maybe not enough of us

Unless anyone is planning on travelling I know some schools do a bus to SE from SW and a few I know have chosen to do that

@Thisonesfortheroad have sent you a PM. Good luck with it all!

@BookShark thank you that is encouraging. With covid, DSs school is definitely behind syllabus. Very possible our prep hasn’t covered everything we should’ve and/ or to the depths required.

As you say, have time to consolidate and grow. And actually that was kinda the point of taking them - see how we fair, get some exam experience.

Our local state isn’t doing great, hence, exploring indies... have had some good advice here on broadening based on academic requirements....

Thanks @Singingrain1223 Had ruled out Sutton Schools as we are out of borough. But will check out the mocks if they’re open to anyone.

@FlyingPandas My gut feel is that a tutor might be the way. Even if, as you say, just to get feedback on DSs chances/ guidance re schools and fit/ prep etc. So difficult to get a feel for a school from websites and webinars!

Weirdly, school mum chat is silent on this whole topic! Did ask re: tutor recommendations last lockdown, but only 1 or 2 responded and unfortunately both of those tutors were already full... with your advice however, am contemplating a second trawl!

Thanks @JustJuice187 this is helpful. I guess slow and steady as they say. Just don’t won’t to find out too late that there was something obvious we missed in our DIY prep.

Congrats for those securing Reeds offers they are rare; DS friends in class are W/L.

Yes here from Reed's too! so relieved as it was our first choice school, a great fit for DS in many ways. I don't think we will be allowed in until teh acceptance day due to lockdown, it loosk like another webinar for DS to watch! A real shame as you cannot really get a proper feel for the school he has been once but it was over 2 years ago so still v young.
I hope they will organise something in the summer months for the boys before they join in September to get to know one another and familiarise themselves with the school.
Agree that it is bound to be some movement on the WL, hold on there and fingers crossed!

Congrats to those who have got Reeds offers. For those on the waiting list, be reassured, there was movement last year (at the closing date). My DS, and others I know, got places from the waiting list. I’m sure there will be even more movement this year due to ISEB encouraging more applications per child.

Don’t most of them arrive on the 12th 🙈. The waiting is AGONY!

Well done to all with Reeds offers and will keep fingers crossed that there is movement on the waitlist for those hoping.

@Thisonesfortheroad we didn’t do 10+, but in terms of 11+ prep I would generally advise to go down the tutor route if I’m honest...not necessarily every week or even every fortnight but I think it’s worth having a few sessions with a professional. I think apart from anything else a good 11+ tutor will be far more experienced than a parent in what is required for the different schools, in providing guidance for exam technique, in coaxing pupils to do their best but also enjoy it too. And just from their experience they will be able to give you a sensible steer as to whether the schools you’re aiming for
would be realistic or not.

Hope everyone else waiting for the 11 Feb offers is bearing up

Delayed update from me, but post came around 2pm and it's a yes for DS. Which is a huge relief all around, as whatever happens, we'd happily take Reeds. Best of luck to anyone that's been waitlisted, I know people at DS's school applied to several schools just because they did ISEB, so I suspect there might be more movement than in a normal year.

@schoolcookie, like @GU24Mum, we had the cheery WaitList letter, however, as she mentioned Reeds haven't got recent history of offering properly to their wait-listed boys. Last year, 600 boys applied for 60 places in First Form. This year is different, with a lot of DSs applying to lots more than the usual 2-4 schools, so there are bound to be more needing to decline multiple offers (they can only go to 1 school!).

Easy to say, but tough to do, try to stay positive. Reeds was the first exam my DS did and got wait-listed. He had offers from the other 2 schools he applied to - both exams, later in the week. It's possible that some DSs, like mine, hit their stride with later exams, after a bit of practice. Good luck everyone!