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Original poster

SHHS?

32 replies

NewMum112 · 01/03/2021 07:49

Good Morning ladies, two day to accept/reject schools, I would like to have some final views on SHHS please, I’m interested to hear the negatives as well as the positives, if you have a daughter there or visited the school before or even heard about +/- , really appreciated.

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Original poster
NewMum112 · 03/03/2021 18:02

@MumsRule20
Thank you, you are right, it shouldn’t affect other DC. Thanks.
It was a real dilemma, what school did you choose at the end?

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Original poster
NewMum112 · 03/03/2021 17:21

@TomorrowOnce
Again I thank you for your input, it’s always been reassuring.

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MumsRule20 · 03/03/2021 16:11

@NewMum112 I have been quite candid in letting the schools we declined know what our choices were, so they could see our dilemma in trying to make a choice. At the same time like @Justanothergirl19 have made reference to how hard the decision was. I think they simply use this for feedback and marketing purposes and wouldn’t overthink or worry about it at all. It would not be good practice or do themselves any favour if they used the information in any other way. Ethically, it cannot have any bearing or be used against a later application for another DC date will be assessed on their own merit and performance for such selective schools.

TomorrowOnce · 03/03/2021 15:04

how it was a very difficult decision between that school and the school that we chose. I mentioned a few elements of the rejected school that we loved and that were hard to let go of,

We did this! - but still did not mention the school of choice to most of those we rejected!

Most of these are super selectives and admission is based on academic attainment/achievement. They want very able DCs - nothing less. They (hopefully) have perfected the maths to over offer. So as long as your next DC gets the scores .... should be fine.

We know of a family who tried for one school at 7+/8+ (have to check). There was an offer - the family turned it down. They applied again to the same school for 11+ and their DC was offered an academic award. The offer was turned down again because they opted for a better 'fit' (higher ranked really plus plus) school.

Regarding the question, do not be surprised if you get more than one email from the same school asking your chosen school - one school even said that they need it to close my DCs file - really? (Too many schools in the sentence!)

Original poster
NewMum112 · 03/03/2021 14:44

@GU24Mum @@Americanhoney
@Justanothergirl19
Thank you so much for your inputs, I really hope that doesn’t affect our DC in the future.

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Justanothergirl19 · 03/03/2021 10:56

Hello, I was asked the same question by 2 out of the 6 schools we applied to (one we accepted of course, so it didn’t matter). I answered honestly to both, but really stressed how it was a very difficult decision between that school and the school that we chose. I mentioned a few elements of the rejected school that we loved and that were hard to let go of, but said that, in the end, we thought that the selected school might prove a better fit for this particular child. They were very grateful for the feedback etc but I am not sure what they will put it down as.
I also have a daughter taking the 11+ this year (12 months age difference) so feel a bit worried about it. I worry that she won’t get as many offers as her sister (she is just as able) purely on the basis that they think that it will be a wasted offer.
Congratulations on SHHS, fully embrace and enjoy your choice, you will not be disappointed.

Americanhoney · 03/03/2021 10:10

@EITEL and @NewMum112
I don’t think you are over thinking it, it’s a reasonable question to ask. I gave the name of the school we accepted, but can’t remember if it was compulsory to do so. In any event, our schools knew where else we applied because they asked on the application forms. Also, based on test results (especially if you applied to the consortium or did ISEB), they might have worked out the likelihood of offers or declines relative to the other schools you applied to. As to whether your replies to declined schools affects future applications of siblings, I’m not sure we could ever know.

Original poster
NewMum112 · 03/03/2021 10:07

@TomorrowOnce
Thank you for explaining the purpose of their question, it does make sense, but how can I respond politely to them without disclosing the requested information, or is it better to tell them the name of the school so we won’t burn bridges with them?

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GU24Mum · 03/03/2021 10:04

I don't think it would influence whether or not they made an offer to the sibling but it would give the school an idea about how many offers they were likely to need to make. They don't want to assume it will be a "no" and risk missing out on a good candidate but it helps them decide whether they offer by 5, 10 or 400%!

EITEL · 03/03/2021 10:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
NewMum112 · 03/03/2021 09:36

@EITEL
I feel the same, I don’t want this information to affect my other DC. Did you give them the name of the school?
I haven’t replied yet.

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TomorrowOnce · 03/03/2021 08:59

which school you chose for your daughter?
Sometimes schools also ask other offers you had.

Good for statistics and further marketing.
Likely looking whether they were chosen over 'higher' ranked indie schools (SPGS, G&L, NLCS, CLSG, Habs, Guildford - some boarding) or grammar (HBS in your case), reflect on what they did this time to entice these parents, and what else can be done in the future. (- 'higher' because the differences are small.)

We disclosed this information to some schools - but not all. It was kind of random.

EITEL · 03/03/2021 08:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
NewMum112 · 03/03/2021 08:39

One last thing ladies, is it a common practice that when you decline an offer they ask you which school you chose for your daughter? As I said before we are new in Uk and I don’t know the full 11+ process? Do I have to say which school my daughter will be attending?

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Original poster
NewMum112 · 03/03/2021 07:16

@namochangeo
Thank you so much, this is very reassuring. I wish your daughter all the best.

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namochangeo · 02/03/2021 20:46

My DD joined SHHS in Y12 and we have no regrets. It's a terrific school and Victoria Bingham is superb. The vibe is relaxed but their academic results are strong. Another year with 20% Oxbridge offers. Their communication is great and I've been impressed by the remote learning and use of technology for parents evenings etc. I think you've made a great decision OP.

Original poster
NewMum112 · 02/03/2021 20:03

@Utility @EITEL Yes we have accepted the offer and paid the deposit, there’s no walking back now. I hope it’s the right decision.
Thank you for your explanation on the usage of the independent schools abbreviations

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Rrelaxo · 02/03/2021 18:30

@EITEL

Any closer to a decision *@NewMum112*? We have accepted our place. Still have worries about going private - the cost and the privilege. DD currently at a State. But do really like the feel of SHHS.
We did the same- accepted SHHS after lots of thinking, which was made even more difficult last night when we were offered a musical place at St Marylebone for girls (state)- our first choice. DD is also moving from state school. Cost and privilege were big debate topics for us as well but in the end SHHS felt like a really excellent choice that is worth the investment.
PotteringAlong · 02/03/2021 18:08

@EITEL but they weren’t mentioned in the OP! Other schools in the local area were mentioned afterwards. People just knew!

EITEL · 02/03/2021 17:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Utility · 02/03/2021 17:55

@Potteringalong: see the link above.

EITEL · 02/03/2021 17:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PotteringAlong · 02/03/2021 17:36

SHHS. Sorry.

PotteringAlong · 02/03/2021 17:35

My point was how do you all know that? On an international site, admittedly mainly British based but not centred in one part of the U.K. how on earth can you write SSHS and immediately get lots of people know that you automatically mean the same school with those initials.

You didn’t post on a local board.
You gave no indication in your post where in the U.K. you are, or indeed if you are in the U.K.
But you all assume you’re talking about the same school.

Maybe you are but my question was how do you know? Is there some kind of bat flare that goes up that I’m just not privy to?