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Original poster

SW London 11+ worries

58 replies

Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 14:55

Is anyone able to give me some words of encouragement please as am feeling very discouraged about the 11+ process. DD is bright but not a genius. Better at English than maths but pretty much an all rounder and very diligent and enthusiastic. One of the stronger ones in her class (according to her teacher) at a state school but there are quite a few who are better at maths in the class for example. Support from the school during lockdown was unfortunately not good, and the school doesn’t get involved in the 11+ process in any way (understandably) so she’s not very well prepared. She’s been doing tutor sessions a couple of times a week for a while now and recently some practice papers, but only one or two a week - nothing like the full-on preparations others are doing. I just don’t want to push her too hard or force her to stop her hobbies. She’s a very natural, lovely, intelligent girl who I think will come across pretty well in interview but I expect will get marks no higher than 70-75% in her maths and 75-80% for English. And that’s if things go well! We’ve applied to a range of schools (only co-ed - her choice) and she likes them all. But from everything I’ve read I get the impression she doesn’t stand a chance of getting in anywhere and that the gulf between state and private is just too big!! The co-ed schools obviously only have half the number of places for girls and some are quite small schools. Single sex schools not an option for her. Does anyone have any good experiences of being in a similar boat and coming out the other side with some offers?! I really don’t want her to be knocked by this process. Thanks so much.

OP posts:
ChristopherTracy · 09/11/2021 11:26

Your issue is the co-ed thing, once you remove the girls schools in SW London there isnt a lot of range left. Knocking out all the GDST id limiting as they can be both the backup and the stretch iyswim.

Anyway, I suppose that leaves CLF, St Johns, Epsom, KGS etc

Original poster
Oldwreck · 09/11/2021 10:46

Thank you @Pencilsready.

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Pencilsready · 09/11/2021 10:00

I agree Sweetnhappy. The schools do take into account whether state/private and in some ways it’s an advantage coming from state as the schools want to give a certain percentage of places to state school children. You’ll still need to do well enough in exam but maybe they don’t expect such a polished performance and some allowances will usually be made. Don’t be put off by the blazers and badges of the prep schools - your dd has just as much chance!

Sweetnhappy1 · 09/11/2021 09:40

@WineAndMassage they absolutely do look at where the child is coming from. Especially with the interviews/activity days.

Original poster
Oldwreck · 09/11/2021 06:04

@PennyWus thank you - v good advice.

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WineAndMassage · 09/11/2021 00:43

@Sweetnhappy1

All of the schools look at whether the child is coming from a state school or a prep and give due consideration to this. Look at the statistics of admissions from each sector. KGS at their open day recently said they take around 60% from state and 40% from prep. My DD is at WHS, that year they said they take around 50% from state. They don't have the same expectations of state school kids, they know they won't have been prepared by their primary schools. They are looking for potential.
Not true from my experience SW 11+ last year. They will be all compared against each other.. x
PennyWus · 09/11/2021 00:33

I have a DD like yours, we opted not to do the 11+ and chose a reasonable comprehensive because she didn't want the pressure of being put through the tutoring mill. I was sad about it, as my DD is very bright and diligent in school, but really quite lazy if you ask her to go further
and she hated the idea of doing additional outside of school. However you don't stand a fighting chance in my area of getting a place at the excellent selective school unless you are tutored. Some friends did a few hours a week plus extra homework, others did 4 or 5 hours a week from about Y4 and added tutor camps every holiday in Y5.

Plenty of her kids we knkw in state school have passed the exam this way but borderline, so unclear if they will make the cut for their school of choice.

It is 100% up to you to ensure you manage your DD's mental health to make sure that she isn't devastated if she fails to pass, or passes but still doesnt get an offer from a school she wants to go to. If you can't manage that, then you have a choice; don't put her through this. You are the parent here, it is in your hands.

And you need to suck up the unfairness of it all. Naturally private school pupils are better prepared. It would be a crying bloody shame if their parents spent all that money and they weren't! It just is what it is. We do not live in a world that is strictly fair. Many children have a better chance in life than others due to their family circumstances.
If you deal with your own emotions about it, my experience is you are better placed to support your daughter.

Sweetnhappy1 · 09/11/2021 00:23

All of the schools look at whether the child is coming from a state school or a prep and give due consideration to this. Look at the statistics of admissions from each sector. KGS at their open day recently said they take around 60% from state and 40% from prep. My DD is at WHS, that year they said they take around 50% from state. They don't have the same expectations of state school kids, they know they won't have been prepared by their primary schools. They are looking for potential.

Sweetnhappy1 · 09/11/2021 00:18

@Oldwreck

Thank you everyone for the very helpful comments. There’s so much uncertainty about what is a useful back-up option these days (especially when no advice from your school) that you end up having to apply to more than you’d like to and risk overwhelming your child. I’d never heard of CAT scores till someone mentioned them on a tour a couple of weeks ago so I think a bit late to think about that now, even if they are available outside the private schools. I know I sound like a spoilt brat but it just feels so frustrating that my lovely, bright, eloquent DD is having to deal with this horrible process and is likely to have so little/no choice and will have to take what she gets, if anything, despite probably being more able than some of the very well-prepped private school children. (Just listening to myself as I write this is reminding me to sort myself out and stop being so spoilt.) Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
My DD went through it a few years ago from a state school and was absolutely fine. Everyone who applied ended up at a school that was right for them in the end. The process is only as horrible as you make it in your head. She was happy to sit for a few schools and didn't find the process particularly stressful.

My DS is going through it right now from a prep. I cringed at your comment: my lovely, bright, eloquent DD is having to deal with this horrible process and is likely to have so little/no choice and will have to take what she gets, if anything, despite probably being more able than some of the very well-prepped private school children. This is nonsense, give your head a wobble.

rattusrattus20 · 09/11/2021 00:08

it's not co-ed but Streatham and Clapham girls isn't hugely selective, above average at a regular state primary would usually be enough.

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 23:28

Thank you everyone for the very helpful comments. There’s so much uncertainty about what is a useful back-up option these days (especially when no advice from your school) that you end up having to apply to more than you’d like to and risk overwhelming your child. I’d never heard of CAT scores till someone mentioned them on a tour a couple of weeks ago so I think a bit late to think about that now, even if they are available outside the private schools. I know I sound like a spoilt brat but it just feels so frustrating that my lovely, bright, eloquent DD is having to deal with this horrible process and is likely to have so little/no choice and will have to take what she gets, if anything, despite probably being more able than some of the very well-prepped private school children. (Just listening to myself as I write this is reminding me to sort myself out and stop being so spoilt.) Thanks again for taking the time to comment.

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RosesAndHellebores · 08/11/2021 22:51

One that stretches, one you expect to get, one as a backstop. Is St John's co-ed now? Is Felton Fleet still a backstop option for 11-13? Mine are grown up so I'm out of date from the time when you chucked them into the closest school and getting in was fairly simple if they ticked the boxes. However op my advice is to apply sensibly, don't overwhelm your child and keep an open mind. A happy child in a mediocre school will do better than an unhappy child in a top rated school.

1309username · 08/11/2021 22:43

@JessyCarr, oh yes, it’s in the sibling admissions policy page, but I (wrongly) assumed that pass rate was for everyone.

@SpLDLSA, we just got our CAT scores and they’ve been my daughter’s best so far. We’ve already sent the end of year 5 report to two schools, but I wonder if our headmaster will send the latest score in their report.

Iamsodone · 08/11/2021 22:41

www.emanuel.org.uk/admissions/sibling-policy/

65% is only for siblings, which then leaves even less places for the non-siblings !

SpLDLSA · 08/11/2021 22:33

Claremont is upping its game and going from non selective to mild selective to selective. Several of my friends didn't get a placement even though their kids were top of their class in maintained schools.

Also, do you know your DD CATs scores? That is another feature independent schools look at before making a decision. Anything above 130 will be worth considering any school and it will have a lot of weight in the decision making for the school.

JessyCarr · 08/11/2021 22:13

@1309username

I believe Emanuel say on their website their pass rate is 65% so it sounds like your daughter would perform well in that type of school.
If I remember rightly they say that is the basic pass mark required for sibling candidates under their sibling policy. It’s not an indication of what non-siblings need to achieve to get an offer.
1309username · 08/11/2021 21:52

I believe Emanuel say on their website their pass rate is 65% so it sounds like your daughter would perform well in that type of school.

NeverEnoughCake2 · 08/11/2021 21:51

Re being fine for Claremont, last year DS (also state school, lockdown learning being less than great, bit of tutoring) didn't get a Claremont offer, but did get offers at two schools that would traditionally be considered more academic, including his first choice. I know of others who were also surprised by Claremont's admissions decisions last year - not quite sure what was going on there, but I wouldn't recommend treating it as a banker!

But that's not to say that the state vs. private school gap isn't bridge-able, just that it might not be the school that you expect that makes the offer, and it doesn't hurt to include some of the schools that you think might be a bit of a stretch for your DC in the list.

Lightalight · 08/11/2021 21:35

@oldwreck You are doing the right thing with some tutoring and practice papers. Just make sure of timings ;-)
A lot of SW London parents understandably worry about the 11+ offers , but as long as you are realistic with school choices, you will also certainly get offers as it all washes out.
Radnor is interesting as they got 50% uplift on recent open days. Maybe the Kneller Hall effect, but the latest inspection was excellent.
Is Kew House on your list? Very obtainable if she liked it!
Good luck.

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 17:15

@refusetobeasheep you might well be right…

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refusetobeasheep · 08/11/2021 17:03

I'm thinking it may bring the numbers applying down as there's so much uncertainty .... it certainly made us think twice

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 16:45

@refusetobeasheep thanks yes, but as you say I can’t imagine that will have much of a bearing on how easy/difficult it is to get a place for next year though.

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refusetobeasheep · 08/11/2021 16:40

Just checking you know Radnor House is going to move to Kneller Hall? The Head reckoned would be at least two years in the present premises for anyone joining next year though.

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:37

@cricketjoys85 thank you thank you! Just the kind of encouragement I was hoping for! I will need to manage her expectations too.

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Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:35

@allycat4 a couple of good (but not great) ones. We’ve applied and they are definitely an option, but I just don’t want her being too demoralised by not getting any private options. She’s one of the brightest in her class and yet I feel as if we’ll be scrabbling for a place. Where do the average or not very bright children go (who want to go private)? Of course I do realise we are very lucky to even be able to consider going private.

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