Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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:
cricketjoys85 · 08/11/2021 15:29

@Oldwreck , there are lots and lots of threads in this section of Mumsnet of dc being overwhelmed with offers, sometimes up to 8 schools, by early Feb. Most dc get the school they want in the end but it's a very long process. Once the offers come out everything moves again once the state school offers including Tiffin and the Sutton grammars are posted in early March. Last year LEH added another class at the last minute, the knock on effect of an extra 25 places at 1 top school is considerable. You just have to hold your nerve and try not to worry!

allycat4 · 08/11/2021 15:21

Genuine question - are there any good/outstanding state comprehensives near you? They might be a better route as they cater for all abilities.

Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:19

Oh and thanks for your note re girls having a better chance - good point.

OP posts:
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:18

Thanks. Worries me that places like Radnor only really have a handful of places for girls (or boys). Urgh. Does anyone have any positive stories of getting offers?!

OP posts:
cricketjoys85 · 08/11/2021 15:16

Also to add there are so many girls only schools that girls do have betters odds in mixed schools.

cricketjoys85 · 08/11/2021 15:14

It would help if you say which schools but if it's along the lines of KGS , Radnor, Claremont Fan it sounds like you should be fine for Claremont and Radnor.

Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:02

Thanks. Don’t really want to say as will probably reveal who I am…but all in SW London/Surrey area. Several that I believe private schools view as back ups but which I believe are still v competitive.

OP posts:
refusetobeasheep · 08/11/2021 14:57

There are some schools where that percentage should get her a place. Where are you trying?