Part 2: SW London Girl's Indies 11+ Pandemic Panic!

So kind of you to share all your notes! Thank you so much

@stircrazyschoolmum we were looking at moving to either Chislehurst or Orpington if we have to as the school has a bus from there and the London commute is much easier /
Flexi boarding is an option but only from 13+ but we would much rather prefer day with the costs involved . Have another DD but she doesn't start school until next year and so not much of a worry .
I would hope that the waitlist does come through as it will b much easier to just stay local though DD is quite enamoured by the school ( they did a 3 stage process in January onsite through the pandemic ! )

@Trialsat11 we once looked at moving to Sevenoaks and found it quite souless.. TW is much nicer but farther from London to commute. I’m sure there are lots of pretty villages though. It seems like a massive undertaking given move costs/stamp duty/general upheaval. I think it would have to be something you genuinely wanted to do regardless of schools? Is flexi-boarding an option?

I wonder if holding out till 1 March and seeing where the waitlists stand might solve the dilemma for you? Have you other children to consider?

Ps..I just looked it up out of sheer curiosity and it looks amazing.. I can see the attraction!

Hi Trialsat11, how confident are you of a swift house move by September?
Both children have a place at Ibstock Place ( Yr 7 girl and Yr 4 boy) and we are considering it.
Oh it's so hard!

Back on the thread for a bit of advice . I know this is a SW thread but since it has a lot of parents applying to Dulwich schools as well , I thought of posting here .
DD got an offer to Sevenoaks School (accepting it means a shift of location for us ) and now we are stuck between shifting for Sevenoaks vs accepting a place at KGS vs any of the waitlists to come through .
Looking for advice on whether the shift is worth it with these options !

Oh wow! Is SPGS today? Good luck to all those waiting!

Morning all! @Stircrazyschoolmum, I am glad to say that DD settled on IPS and we agreed, so we are officially signing and paying this weekend and declining two other offers this morning. It does feel nice to have made the decision! I am sure after a few more days things will become clearer for everyone. It certainly is difficult if you haven't visited a school though, such a challenge. Best of luck deciding, and let's keep declining offers not to be used to get to those WL places as early as can be.

Morning all! I hope you are all surviving half term ok!

Well done @User76532789 for reaching a decision, now you can start getting excited about school uniform etc!

How’s everyone else getting on? We’ve gone from 6 to 3 which is progress. Hopefully the waitlists will start moving once they’ve cleared the ‘over offers’? Given how much lower the CV levels are in London now I wish we could visit the schools even if we had to walk round on our own! Our remaining offer events are next week. Hopefully they will be enlightening.

Are many people waiting for grammar/state results?

I’ve been following this thread, but haven’t posted before. We’ve finally made the decision to go with LEH
Thanks to all for the helpful opinions and advice.
She will be the only one from her prep, so it’s a big change for her, but the fit feels right for us, plus I love how big and airy the school feels!

For those asking about FHSS.

DD2 is Yr7.
Yes they went to five forms last year 20-21 per form.
We were told they were less exam hot House compared with FHSRP. Head changed about 5-6 years ago I think? They had a rep as a bit of a "finishing" school prior to that.
But DD2 is definitely being challenged with her work far far more than she was at primary.
But they do keep them grounded too. Head spoke of the fact the piece of.paper they get at the end of their journey within the school does not guarantee them a job or a career. They still will need to know how to fill in a mortgage application or work hard to.get where they want to be.
We have found them very welcoming.
She has made friends more easily than expected as she was only one from her primary joining.
Work has been challenging but not too much.
They seem very aware of the girls mental health especially in current times.

Online learning has been good.
Lessons between 9-4pm 1hr lunch and then about.20mins between each one.
As well as independent study /prep built-in to time table. Rather than an hour of prep once she has finished.
If you have any other questions feel free to DM me.
I will do my best to answer although she wasn't "at" school for very long before lockdown.
Good luck with your choices

@teachocolate that’s great to hear thanks for coming back to me.

@Unsure44 Yes, we cannot be happier. DD was a bit worried because she was the only from her prep but after the first day she made friends soon. Girls and parents are friendly and nice. The school encourages girls to be self motivated and at the same time they are very supportive. We have DD2 and hope she can get in too after a couple of years.

Brilliant ty very helpful!

I have friends with DD at LEH and they all seem to like the coach. It’s social time. Also there are boys on it which I understand is a plus! The school make sure in year 7 that everyone is on the coach with at least one other girl in their class so she will have friends to sit with.

Thank you @teachocolate. Think we would be getting on at Stamford Brook. Are you happy with LEH generally?

@Unsure44 Hello, I have a daughter in Year 7 at LEH. She enjoys talking with friends, listening music and just being relaxing in the coach

Hello dears
We got offers from Francis Holland regent
Channing offer
South Hampstead WL
Francis Holland Sloane offer
Any advice?
My daughter is leaning to regent
Any feedback about regent
Also any feedback about south Hampstead waiting list
We are confused 🤷‍♀️
Many thanks if anyone could help

Just popping on this brilliant thread to ask if there are any West London parents considering offers at PHS and LEH. I know LEH has the coach service but wondering if doing it twice a day 5 days a week is a killer and DD v v keen on PHS but also not v straightforward to get too (sadly just missed the cut for G and L).

Are there any Alleyn’s or Emanuel’s parents on here ?
I am wondering if anyone can provide feedback on pastoral care, academic and sport/drama ?
I am concerned about how those two schools have changed in the last few years and which direction they will be taking in the next few years.
Also concerned about the pastoral care, attitude to drugs and general behaviour expectations as Alleyn’s seems very relaxed whereas Emanuel appears stricter than it has ever been.
Looking for honest feedback please ! Thank you.

@Corblimbea I think FHSS recently went from 4 forms to 5 so slightly larger than Sutton which is 4 forms. Good to hear Sutton is increasing results wise. The tube journey to FHSS would be very reasonable...maybe 45mins. To add my DD would probably find FHSS a stretch academically as we only applied on the off chance she would do well in the consortium exam on the day. Not sure if they have put most applicants on the waiting list this year...? 600 applied...

@daysem I think the thing about league tables is that they are a reflection of the cohort entering a school five or seven years ago - Sutton seems to be increasing annually. I felt the same that Surbiton was corporate but also massive! There are 7-8 forms on each year I think? That’s my worry about the grammars. I don’t want DD to be ‘lost’ in a big year. @mumster007 FHSS is lovely. Where are you based? It was too far for us, but similar in size to Sutton I think.

@daysem Oh, I am not too hopeful about FHSS...! Sutton is definitely our top choice of our offers. Can't rely on a waitlist place. Will have to think hard when we approach the deadline (and pass it) if we are willing to lose a deposit for it. Surbiton is a great school though! I hope you get some more insight to base your decision on. Combe Girls is also very good. Have friends who are really happy with it.