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

I have been lurking here for the last couple of month. Brilliant tread! Lovely to read how supportive all the mums are. Congratulations to all DD who got offers up to now and good luck to the ones that are in the WL. We have accepted LEH and released the other offers.

"I guess my main question is, what were the key things that made Wimbledon stand out for your DD? And if were you deciding between Putney and Wimbledon, why did you opt for Wimbledon?"

We had a slight preference for WHS (mostly irrational and based on gut feeling): my other half was completely won over by the open day (that was before Covid time... seems a looong time ago now), I missed it. I attended an open day in PHS and had more mixed feelings: in part. I did not like the road with heavy traffic /pollution hotspot in Putney.

Also DD plays Hockey, and not Lacrosse.
We liked, above all, the (apparent) atmosphere from WHS (confirmed for us until now!): Girls seem so supportive of each other, not clicky at all, not showy, not pushy /alpha type, so relaxed about their appearances (very often in tracksuits), with a healthy work ethic. But these are all personal impressions, maybe other parents felt the other way round from visiting PHS & WHS. Anyway, that's why we decided on WHS.

Having had our first round of parents-teachers evening and based on what my DD tells me, I find teachers all hugely available, supportive, and working hard to make their subject stimulating.

At the end of the day, having this choice is a great position to be in, and I'm sure she'll flourish in any of the 2 schools. Congratulations to her! :-)

Just remembered another difference. PHS has their own boathouse in Putney. WHS rows out of Hampton - which is quite a trek. So if you think your DD might like to row do think about that car journey!

@Itisa Good luck on choosing! I have friends with DDs in both schools and the general reason to choosing one or the other has been sports. The sportier girls have picked PHS... Although when I looked around WHS a very sporty girl showed me around. She was a rower and it seems that WHS are increasing their rowing focus. Both schools supply Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club with ball girls for the tournament. But I personally only know girls from PHS that made the final cut. Not sure if they have been more successful or not in that area. PHS do Lacrosse which is popular.

@Enoughisenough2021 - that's a good point. We knew plenty of girls who were offered WHS or PHS but not both in previous years. So any parents applying in future years would be well advised to sit both and not assume they will have the luxury of two offers!

Thinking about when DD sat the exams- lots of girls got offers from either WHS or PHS but not both because of the very different exams, so what to choose was made easier. IESB has muddied the waters a bit, hence so many choosing between the 2!

And also thank you @sandybayley and @Stircrazyschoolmum for your insights into Putney

I think the Good Schools Guide has competition from Mumsnet!

@Itisa what a wonderfully tricky situation to be in! My DD got Tiffin and WHS but was waitlisted for PHS so we didn't have your dilemma. That said, she always preferred WHS to PHS so we were totally happy. She just always preferred the vibe, we were also fortunate to be able to visit the schools that year and attend the offer holders events. I think it was the STEM/STEAM emphasis. She also really enjoyed the group assessment.

Congratulations to all the DC with their latest great offers!!! Such a good job to get into those super selective grammar schools.

We made our decision today and together with DD we confirmed LU!! We are super excited. And we let go of all the other offers.

If there are any other DC going to LU please feel free to pm directly.

And good luck to all the other on the WL. Things will start moving soon!

Thank you for all the really helpful responses - and good luck to those still deliberating! Think we have decided but DD insisting on sleeping on it.... x

Thank you @Enoughisenough2021 @Sweetnhappy and @Bidibidiba for your insights on Wimbledon High. It is really so helpful, and hopefully I'll be able to repay the favour next year to those looking at these threads!

I guess my main question is, what were the key things that made Wimbledon stand out for your DD? And if were you deciding between Putney and Wimbledon, why did you opt for Wimbledon?

Not trying to be controversial here but is there anything you don't like about the school? All schools have their downsides obviously, so just trying to see the whole picture!

I've forensically been through all the commuting timetables line by line! And as there's so little in it, no more than 5-10 minutes, the commute isn't a deciding factor for us.

Thanks so much to everyone else for commenting. It really is so kind, and I'm hoping that by tomorrow morning another waitlist will turn into an offer

Congratulations to everyone who got their first choices, those on waiting lists should find that things start moving soon. We turned down Tiffin for WHS and have no regrets. Tiffin would have taken an hour to get to vs 20 minutes by bus to WHS (8 minutes by car) and in these pandemic times I'm really glad to have picked the nearer school but am sure my DD would have done great at either. DD is in year 8, also happy to be pm'd. Some lovely ladies did the same for me when I was in your situation two years ago.

Just looking at this tonight as I know national offers day makes the choice harder for lots of people.

It seems so obvious to say it, but if you've got a great state place, and especially a great state place close to your home and the fees will be a stretch, it's not worth really stretching for.

If you can afford the fees easily, I think the choice becomes harder, especially if you've got one of the top super selective state grammars in the bag. At one of those, your DC really will be learning alongside other really top top notch students, but at even the best indies there will be a slightly wider ability range....it's just a numbers who apply per place thing. But the fees can pay for a smoother more luxurious experience and you know if that really matters to you or not.

And as everyone says, distance counts for a lot. If you have a choice to avoid a long journey for 7 years, you will be glad countless times over.

For those with 2 great choices....many congratulations. Whatever you choose it will always be nice to know your DD got both and there was a choice. People love to say they turned down Tiffin or HB or SPGS.

Force yourselves to choose this week, as not everyone is so fortunate and your choice might have multiple knock on impacts that give more girls choices and the longer time passes, the more those choices can come too late and far down the road for them to be real.

Congrats to all you with your different options.
Good luck with all your choice.

If anyone has chosen FHSS feel free to DM me if you would
like some help with school uniform.

I belive they do have second hand sales - but unfortunaly due to Lockdown we missed out on all the intro days and sales.

There is some stuff that you can manage without or leave to spring term.

I also have DD at WHS- all good!

@Itisa, I have a DD in WHS and delighted. Happy to respond to any question you might have (if I know the answer, or otherwise ask my daughter) :)

Well done on all the state offers!

Sorry to bother again but is anyone able to weigh-in on Wimbledon High School? Just any insights really...

Thanks so much - 1.5 days to go so would love to make the decision and be done with it!!!

[deciding between Wimbledon High and Putney High!]

Congrats on the offers @MumsRule20 @MarshaBradyo @Dizzyafter11plusfirsttime @Trialsat11.

I think we're heading towards choosing the Indie option - I've felt all along that it's the best fit for DD but, as others have said, I don't think she'll do that differently academically there. I do think she'll get greater encouragement to develop interests, will get more of a chance to do sport at more than a basic PE level and benefit from the smaller size and wider range of subjects. But, it's not an easy choice to turn down (music is very good at our first choice state and she has a music schol there).

For all of you needing schoolblazer uniforms: please be aware that school blazer with hpave everything listed- and as stated not all listed items will be worn or even required by your school. Our schoollazer lists included bathing suits, towels and caps, overcoat, lab coats etc etc - not one was actually required to be worn. So clarify with your school as to what is essential, what is season specific (no point buying anything for winter now) and so on. Plus ask if your school does second hand sales.
The label option is a must however- you will end up with loads extra though (but they sew labels in each sock which is essential)!

We got the Sutton grammar as well but Tiffin was the first choice . Makes our task easier and will probably stick to the Indy option

Sandy I think that it’s the other stuff if the state is good too, grades at a good state will fine (same even).

Ds really enjoys art, drama, some sport and music. Some we’ve paid for outside state primary. But it’d be really nice to see him pick it up and be the norm to go on with. And encouraged a lot. I like the idea of lunch time clubs which would suit him.

I’ve been watching this thread(s) for the last few weeks and helping any SPGS parents with info via DM and emails. Our daughter had an offer from Henrietta Barnett and SPGS as well as her old school. I felt sad letting old school and HBS go, but she’s been extremely happy at SPGS. 5 girls at her old school were offered HBS. 2 moved to HBS and the other 3 (including my daughter) went to SPGS. Was before the new rules came in.

Hoping everyone with WL get those turned into offers.

The thing I'd say about making the choice between schools is that these are very bright girls and they will do well academically whichever school they go to. You can't 'buy' better grades (despite what some posters claim on other threads). I'm fairly sure that DD would have got the same grades at Tiffin as she did at PHS.

What I think suited DD at PHS was the atmosphere and environment. She rowed and did a lot of music. I guess she'd have done music at Tiffin but the sporting opportunities seemed lacking IMO. I think I just knew Tiffin wouldn't have suited her temperamentally. I'll never 'know' it was the right decision (sliding doors moment) but 6 years on I don't regret it so maybe it was right.

Thanks @stellagibbons. I think I just panicked. The email came just a few minutes after I typed my last message. We got Lady Margaret which is a brilliant school. We just need to make our choice now.