SW London boys 11+ 2022 entry

Any one else choosing between KCS and Wilson ? Lucky to have got both our top indie and our top grammar options and keen to hear from anyone who may be in the same position or have experience of both .

@AndNowNo, I am not making any judgements about the value of an Oxbridge degree when compared with other very good courses. But the reality is that many of the most able students at those schools will apply to either Oxford or Cambridge.

I haven’t looked at 2021 as it’s not available yet from Oxford and Cambridge. Individual years can vary quite a bit.

If it’s of interest, what the school websites don’t tell you that the Oxbridge stats do is the percentage of those applying who get offers for each school. For the 5 years I calculate:

Westminster 46%
KCS 37%
RGS 36%
Hamptons 34%
Tiffin 30%

On this measure all except Westminster are pretty similar - and the actual subjects applied for will matter too.

KCS and Tiffin look on a par to me for 2021?

KCS 25
Tiffin 22

www.tiffinschool.co.uk/_docs/sixthform/Leavers%20Universities%20&%20Employers%202021.pdf

www.kcs.org.uk/media/6541/uk-and-us-university-destinations-2020-21.pdf

Haven't checked the results of others but don't forget Oxbridge is increasingly under pressure to offer to state educated pupils.

There's a good thread about oxbridge running at the moment and how it's all luck of the draw and not even something that particularly changes your life more often that not (most graduates doing normal jobs just like everyone else, accountant across the road for instance studied Geography at Oxford and went on PWC and became an accountant, then Shell and not particularly high up, just normal job etc).

Then also consider that Harris Academy Westminster got 44 Oxbridge offers in 2020 and 23 Oxbridge offers in 2021. OK, so a decline but still on a par with KCS etc.

I'd say the tide is turning quite quickly...

@Parentingfor2, yes, A level results over the last 2 years are impossible to interpret!

I know not everyone wants to go to Oxbridge; but that will be true - perhaps for different reasons - of all the above schools. I was using the percentages as a (very rough and inexact) way of judging overall ability and academic teaching.

Also, for info, it can actually be cheaper to study at Oxbridge than at many other Russell Group universities, as the wealthy colleges can provide reasonably priced accommodation, food etc.

@11Plus2022 or can just look at points/grades as not everyone wants to go to Oxbridge (or can afford to study there). Although, I guess that's more difficult given all the recent Covid-influenced grading given over the last two years.

@11Plus2022 , it's worth adding the Tiffin Boys sixth form is mixed - currently @ 30% girls. I don't think it Sways the results either way etc.

DS didn’t sit Tiffin as we are too far away. I would note there are many ways to measure outcomes and that whether you regard the various schools as similar or not academically depends on how you interpret them.

Oxford and Cambridge publish detailed data by school of places offered. I’ve done some analysis of the different schools for 2016-2020; not because I think that you choose a school based on whether they will get your child into Oxbridge or not, but because I think Oxbridge offer rates are one possible way of judging a combination of two things: the overall ability of the cohort and how well the most able students are taught and stretched.

My calculations (which are a bit approximate as exact numbers in each school in each year may vary and I might have not got these quite right) show the following % got Oxbridge offers over 2016 to 2020:

Westminster 40%
KCS Wimbledon 24%
RGS Guildford 19%
Hamptons 12.5%
Tiffins 7.5%

Westminster is in a league of its own (didn’t look at girls schools, but think only SPGS is similar)!

My ds didn't sit Tiffin so I didn't have the decision to make but in his class there aren't many dc who also got in to Tiffin and chose Hampton. Of course the facilities are better in the private sector but it's a lot of money for possibly the same academic results and university destinations. It depends on what you are looking for and your finances.

@hockeygrass really interested in why you say Tiffin over Hampton.

Been agonising over this decision ourselves looking at both schools, and Hampton appears to come up better for facilities/ resources, academic results and extra-curricular opportunities.

Your advice implies there’s not much difference? As a Hampton Parent do you really feel that way?

[quote hockeygrass]@Oldmonk , as a Hampton parent I would say if you have a full fees place at a private school go for Tiffin. If you have an academic scholarship at any of the privates you are considering go back and ask if there is any more they can do fees wise. The privates will know you are considering Tiffin hence the late response. Tiffin is a great school and you will save £200,000+! [/quote]
After much hair pulling last night and thus morning, we're leaning more and more towards Tiffin. Even DS's current school is recommending Tiffin (over City Boys). Deadline for City is 9am tomorrow.

@Oldmonk , as a Hampton parent I would say if you have a full fees place at a private school go for Tiffin. If you have an academic scholarship at any of the privates you are considering go back and ask if there is any more they can do fees wise. The privates will know you are considering Tiffin hence the late response. Tiffin is a great school and you will save £200,000+!

We also have offer from Tiffins now and as someone said, this is a good problem and first world problem to have. But we are unable to decide now between Hampton, RGS and Tiffin.

We are letting go off Reeds and KGS.

(not to mention DS!)

@Avidgardner same here, DS got an offer from Tiffin too... the pros and cons list is hurting DS head. Having a choice is good, just wish it was a lot more clear cut which to choose.

I know friends who sat St Benedict's as a back up for the Oratory. Oratory was 100% first choice and they are v pleased with it. The Oratory is an excellent school. It don't know St Benedict's though and it depends what you are looking for in a school. Good luck with the decision!

I haven't engaged in this thread so far but my DS was offered a lovely place at St. Benedict's in Ealing. We've accepted and are v happy... except today he just got an offer for the London Oratory, and I don't know what to do! If there is anyone out there with insight I would be so grateful.

And just as we had settled the big debate at home, offer holder visits, pros and cons list etc., got final good news today that DS has a place at Tiffin. DS is really proud and happy about it.

Any others had news back from grammars today?

We just accept Hampton and let go RGS and Whitgift. DS heart settled firmly onto Hampton and offer event was quite satisfied. We are so looking forward to become a Hamptonian and Hampton parents.

Thank you @hockeygrass, the school was really reassuring at the offer/ tour day last week. I particularly like that they try and place classmates based on location to help their social lives outside school 😂💙

@Mumchumof2 , don't worry, because of the selective nature of the school most go knowing no one including my ds. There is a day in June to meet the class and teacher and often a class meet up (ie picnic) is arranged before the first day of term which is a gentle get to know session too.

@Avidgardner congrats to you too!!! We have similar offers too! My only reservation (too late as we have accepted Hampton now) is that none of his friends got through, so he will be started from scratch. I know so many are in this position- just worries me 😬

@travelturtle loved Emanuel - the school seemed to be very nurturing and had very happy children. DS was worried about the pending construction works which would most likely disrupt facilities and some lessons for a few years. His current preference is City, we haven't received Tiffin results yet. We have a few reservations on both City and Tiffin. City travel is a further away, and we sense it is slightly more stressful/pressured. Tiffins has Rugby and Dance which doesn't really suit DS and we didn't get to visit it in person (only did a virtual tour so no real sense of student wellbeing etc). Sounds strange but we sort of hope he doesn't get offered a place at Tiffin as to help make the decision making easier. He said logically (after writing up the pros and cons of his City v Emanuel v Tiffin) Tiffin should be his first choice, but his heart says City.

Congrats @Mumchumof2. Think we have also landed on Hampton - will be declining offers at KGS, RGS and St Pauls. I know its first world problems but it has been hard to make a decision.

We have also accepted Hampton today. Now we are here, it feels so difficult to ‘let go’ of the other offers 🤔