PART 3: SW London Girl's Indies 11+ Results, Decisions & Panic Over?

@Stircrazyschoolmum Thanks for letting everyone knows about JAGs session. We are on waiting list for JAGs so we are hoping there is a moment next week. We have other offers but my DD is very keen for JAGS so finger crossed.

Congratulations to all the offer holders.

Anyone with a DC going from Wimbledon to LU?

We are almost 100% convinced on LU, but as many we are thinking about the the commute on public transport for DD.

@WarmAndco3y , St John's leatherhead use to take phones physically away for first 2 years, not sure now.
Surbiton high definitely don't!

Thanks for this thread. We are on a waiting list for 1 school so hope there is a movement next week.

Ie devices to do research on in class, each child has one for school. Feel really overloaded with screen learning right now.

I hope Alleyn’s do.

They are bringing in devices in class not sure how I feel about that. Maybe I’m sick of screens now and having that reaction.

What are other schools doing?

Yes most schools do, I agree. Some schools not as strict with enforcement. But I don’t know of any other than Woldingham that physically take the phones away. Personally I agree, and like that policy, especially in the earlier years. Heads stuck in phones, are a bane of my life

I think most schools ask children to put away their phones during the days in lockers (until sixth form).

Good luck for those waiting on state places tomorrow. Though for some may just add to the decision-making quandary....

Wow, we have been busy on here
Congratulations to those who have made the decisions and it’s nice the offer holders events have gone well, gives us a little bit of an insight, even though not quite the same as visiting the school.
I know what you mean by choosing a less academic school, I agree it’s important to go for what feels right for each child. It’s funny as I listened in the virtual offers’ holder’s events for Woldingham, I really ( and DH), began to warm up to the idea that it might be a good fit for my DD. Although she isn’t having any of it at the moment, I think it was when they mentioned that they take the girls’ phones away during school hours that put her off. She hasn’t got a phone now, but all her older siblings do, so the anticipation is beyond anything else . She is a very sociable person and would do well in the environment and would relish the idea of being a boarder once a week. As well as staying on in the evenings to have meals with her friends and do homework socialise with them every now and then. I’ve been to the school a few times and also drive past it on my way to work.
We are awaiting state allocations tomorrow, I looked back and saw for DD1we got the email around 6:30pm.
@Mumof2SW12 we also have offers from 2 of the schools you mentioned.
Wishing everyone the best for the week ahead, it’s going to be quite busy/active and those WL will start to move. I pray in the end we all get what is best for us and our DDs.

Thank you Stircrazyschoolmum. Have a warm feeling about Putney that just don't with the other schools (albeit without actually visiting them)! Well done to your daughter on her offers.

If there are any other parents out there please let me know your insights about Putney! Thank you so much

And thank you to everyone in this conversation who have been so open and helpful by sharing their experiences of the 11+ process.

I’m happy to start a WhatsApp group for LEH if people are interested. PM me your info

@Stircrazyschoolmum great news! I think it's always been PHS for you in hindsight isn't it, but definitely the right decision to consider all the options!

@Stircrazyschoolmum Congratulations on the decision. I can understand the relief you must feel. I also wanted to let you know that we made a similar decision with older DCs - going for the “less academic” option, which took a lot of bravery on my side (e.g. think about turning down SPGS...). If it was to do it again, we would take the same decision. Every day.
We also very much enjoyed the Jags Q&A. My husband (who can’t even spell the name of these schools ) was very impressed with the leadership team, very dynamic, and is glad we accepted the offer

Hello lovely ladies

I have news! First let me say, the jags event this morning was excellent.. I think Alex Hutchinson is going to be an amazing head there and both parent and pupil events were very well handled. DH and I would have had no qualms taking a place..

However..

Our hearts are in Putney! There are so many things that DD enjoys that the school offers and I firmly believe that a happy child will thrive. So @Itisa we find ourselves in the same position as you. We will turn down our more academic offer because our guts are telling us that PHS is right for us. It’s very much against the grain not to head to Dulwich from where we live but ironically the commute is slightly shorter and DD quite likes the idea of being a trailblazer!

So that’s an Alleyns and jags offer freed up and off to a happy home on Monday! :-)

DD and I are literally buzzing (me helped by wine!). It is so nice to reach a decision and I appreciate so much all the tips, guidance and non judgemental support on these threads. I hope I can help next years threads as much.

@Itisa - it's a lovely school. You won't regret the choice.

Hi Corblimbea. It was mainly the other central/south London schools - both girls & co-ed - that were doing ISEB as this meant only one exam and low stress for DD!

Are you considering Putney? It's so hard to get a 'feel' for a school without visiting. We don't know any parents at most of the schools DD applied to, so it's been a case of using the schools' own websites, the Good Schools Guide and Tatler!

Any insights - both good and bad? Thank you

Thanks @Flossitea for the heads up re school blazer. Our DD also decided to take up LEH offer and would love to get the uniform now! DS is next door at Hampton and I remember him trying on the winter pullover and blazer in 35c in July (the jumper was never worn!!) I will get us organised a bit earlier for LEH. someone mentioned somewhere in this record breaking long threat a what’s up for LEH for new starters - is that set up? Lovely idea.

@Itisa where are your other offers for?

@Corblimbea we are also waiting for the Monday state offer.

Troubled good luck! I’d love someone else to choose same. I think it’s whittled down now on this thread. I got an email today urging people to let know decision to hopefully move WL along. I’ve replied as acceptance.

@Mumof2SW12 thank you, it does help as on Emanuel WL!
@MarshaBradyo we’re also on Alleyn’s WL.

Tbh still in a quandary as to which we’d take, if offered of course!!

Hello lovely London people!

I've been watching this thread for weeks now and it's been so helpful and reassuring amidst all the trials and tribulations of the 11+ this year. My DD had a few offers at SW London girls schools and we've finally narrowed it down to Putney!

There seems to be a lot of chat on this thread about JAGS, LEH, Surbiton, LU, Emanuel, Sutton and SPGS, but just wondered if there's anyone else out there opting for Putney?

Unfortunately we never managed to look around any of those schools but the reason we've decided on Putney is the smallish year group and the focus on pastoral care and also 'fun'! Would anyone be able to weigh in with their insights - interested to hear the negatives as well as the positives!

DD is a gentle soul and quiet, but also quite quirky. Not particularly sporty or musical. Very bright and in fact we're turning down offers from some more academic schools, so feeling like we're going against the grain to some extent (although I'm making the assumption here that most London parents 'trade up' - is that true?). Like the idea of a school where most of the teachers know her individually, she's not just another number, etc.

I think there's about 100 in a year so smaller than Surbiton, LEH and G&L; however, the class sizes are perhaps larger than other girls' schools - does this make a difference?

What is the science teaching like at A-level (perhaps the results seem weaker there than arts and humanities?) and is there a big exodus after GCSEs? Ideally would like DD to stay all the way through to A-levels.

Coming from state so slightly worried about the King's Road/Made in Chelsea stereotype - but maybe that's not a thing either?

Anything you can share would be very much appreciated!

Waiting on I should say rather than have

We have Kingsdale with music scholarship and Charter, but we’re taking Alleyn’s

Really impressed by the extras as well as approach but it is a big decision

@Corblimbea - yes we are (waiting on Kingsdale and Graveney) - I'm pretty sure we're going to take JAGS, but we do want to be certain as it's a big decision. We will definitely be deciding one way or the other on Tuesday though.

I think the WLs will start to move Tuesday onwards - we've just had an email from JAGS after the offer holders event reminding us of the deadline to accept and asking us to decline as soon as possible if we've made up our minds for the benefit of those on the waitlist.