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Original poster

SW London boys 11+ 2022 entry

412 replies

Sweetnhappy · 18/05/2021 17:01

Hi, my DS is in year 5 and we're struggling with not being able to see schools in person. We're having a think about where to apply and at the moment KCL is a favourite geographically but we haven't seen it so don't have a feel for the vibe. We went to see Hampton and KGS before the first lockdown without DS and liked them both. The Emanuel tours booked so quickly when they were released a few weeks ago, I think they are releasing more slots soon. Just wondering if anyone can give us a feeling of the vibe of these schools. Does anyone know what is happening with the headteacher at Kings? They seem to have an acting head at the moment.

OP posts:
singersmom · 30/05/2021 12:35

Feelings are mixed. As I said, timing is awkward. With an altered exam system, pastoral investigations and two years of kcjs moving to the kcs umbrella it’s a tough time to have one less senior administrator. Many parents happy for a change. Many very sad to see him go. Implementing all the site improvements has been a huge undertaking for Mr Halls. Raising money isn’t easy.

Original poster
Sweetnhappy · 30/05/2021 12:22

@singersmom how are people feeling about the changes? My DD has had a change of head at WHS where the former deputy head is now the head. This went really smoothly and the new head is excellent just like her predecessor, hopefully it will be similar at KCS.

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singersmom · 27/05/2021 13:22

The letters about him leaving are very vague. Acting head is strong but a hard time to have one less senior person at the school.

CloudPop · 27/05/2021 13:14

Retiring. Had planned to anyway, but has brought it forward due to a period of ill health. He'll be supporting the acting head until his planned retirement date but won't retake the reins

jeanne16 · 27/05/2021 13:11

Any idea why the Head is leaving?

singersmom · 27/05/2021 09:46

KCS parent x3 here. Head announced yesterday that he won’t return. Interim head till summer term 2022. Lots of change going on there at the moment. Lower school now ending @ year six. New head. International expansion. Starting an online school.

Original poster
Sweetnhappy · 26/05/2021 18:16

@Thisonesfortheroad thank you! We had a similar experience when we looked around years ago but didn't apply at that time, he wouldn't have been mature enough to sit an entrance test. DS was so young then, we're really keen to look again. He has changed hugely over the years. Where is your DS? Will you try again for 11+?

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Original poster
Sweetnhappy · 26/05/2021 18:14

@Iamsodone thank you! We've managed to book a tour for next month. We've actually seen it multiple times (and liked it) when we were looking for my DD but DS hasn't seen it yet.

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Original poster
Sweetnhappy · 26/05/2021 18:12

@sandybayley

The KCS headmaster is retiring. He's on sick leave at the moment. I believe the new Head is due to be announced very soon.
Thank you so much @sandybayley! I hope he is ok. What do you think about the school? My son can be a bit sensitive, is this ok there?
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Thisonesfortheroad · 20/05/2021 10:20

Hi @Sweetnhappy

KCS are planning an open day this September, COVID rules allowing.

We looked around a couple of years ago and really liked the feel of the Junior School and it’s pupils. The teachers, pupils and admin staff were all very easy to talk to and respectful. We were really impressed by the boys who showed us round. My son took to them so well, almost like they’d known each other for ages and this made us feel very reassured coming from a less than pleasant time at state primary (being teased for being inquisitive, engaged - a nerd apparently). The facilities are top notch.

The headmaster, however, gave off a slightly different vibe which perplexed us a little. Left us with a slight doubt as to whether there was a difference in experience once you scratched under the surface. But the boys who showed us round pushed that thought back out of my mind.

It is very selective as I’m sure you’re aware. DS was the only boy in his queue for the exams who hadn’t been formally tutored or been anywhere near a Kumon it seemed! The other boys were aghast when DS had no idea what they were on about. They told him he was lucky as they had been going to tutors for several years and had no let up over the Xmas holidays. They were only 8 Confused

Anyway, needless to say though he thoroughly enjoyed the assessment process and loved the school DS didn’t secure a place.

Iamsodone · 19/05/2021 10:57

Emanuel will defo be releasing more small tours. they are shooting up in many aspects, including academically as a lot of changes have been made since the current headmaster arrived, for instance they have made some changes to the intake, to the teaching provisions, smarten up the grounds, widen the clubs and sports provision, broaden the outreach and diversity. they are working very hard at the moment compared other more established schools we looked at (who came across as being a little complacent of their status- but none of the ones on your list though).
yours are all great schools and very selective, maybe you will have a preference on gender/location/access/having grounds/pool on site /GCSE options/clubs/A level versus IB ?
good luck !

sandybayley · 19/05/2021 07:04

The KCS headmaster is retiring. He's on sick leave at the moment. I believe the new Head is due to be announced very soon.

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