SW London Girls' Private & Grammar - applying for year 7 in 2023

I have a DS at LU. Hopefully my younger DD will go there as well as we now live nearer. We didn't apply for older DD.

Same question, is your DC at LU a DD or DS? Curious to hear from DD's at LU. ta

@boredboredbore I do like the sounds
of the mobile phone rule though!!

Thank you. Don't think my son would think much of rules for rules sake. He's very independent and fair minded. He's also not keen on pomp and ceremony. Much more up for small groups, 1-2-1, debate, projects etc.

Sorry, the above post was about Ibstock!

Yes, secondaryquandries. Many people love the school, but others find it a bit too rigid in the sense of 'rules for the sake of rules' if that makes sense. Quite a few friends' DC didn't stay on for the sixth form for this very reason. But, I'm sure many others love it.

Sorry - think I tagged the wrong poster!

I've got one at LU and one at WHS and a close family member at G&L. Would broadly agree with @Mosaic on LU - although my family member at G&L has found it very tough socially- I think she's been unlucky with her form- has been brutal. She says the teachers are very kind though. The kids at LU, my DCs friends anyway, seem much kinder! But it will depend who your friend's are really! I think they've also tried to make the lower school more inclusive re drama etc. Certainly my child has had lots of opportunities to be involved despite no major talent! It's a much bigger school so will always be easier in the smaller schools to be inclusive I think.

LU and WHS both quite different but very happy with both!

Neither have petty rules and don't give out loads of detentions etc. LU very strict about phone use this year (have to be locked in a special bag all day and can't be unlocked until the end of the day). More than happy with that rule!

Thank you. We are applying there but I did read something about that on here. Definitely something to seriously think about if he were offered a place.

From people I know over the years, Ibstock Place has the reputation for being quite strict and 'rules -orientated.'

Just to add that I would be particularly interested in which schools are academic and also -not sure how to phrase this- democratic in approach to teaching and discipline. I think my son would thrive in a creative, egalitarian learning environment rather than a strict military style one. Obviously most London schools will fall somewhere in the middle....
For example, I think the standard detentions in year 7 for minor infractions that I can see they have in many state secondary schools would not be my preference.

This sort of post is super interesting- thank you! My son is not sitting for either of these schools but for those that are I'm sure it's invaluable and so hard to get from the open days/prospectuses. If anyone has similar comments on other schools please post.

DS at LU and DD at G&L (obviously)!

Thanks. Do you have a DD or DS at LU? ta

Hi, just in case anyone is weighing up between LU and G&L, I have kids in both and would describe the main differences (apart from the obvious co-ed v single sex aspect) as -

• option to do IB at G&L
• currently, at G&L they take 4 A-levels, plus EPQ (with option to drop one A-level in Year 13); whereas at LU they strongly advise 3 A-levels max, plus EPQ (unless one is Further Maths or a language they have semi-fluency in anyway).
• G&L make them do all three sciences at GCSE, but at LU they may drop a science for another subject they are stronger in.
• activities week at LU means they go on a compulsory week-long trip every June (often abroad)
• drama opportunities and choirs much more inclusive at G&L
• G&L has hockey pitches on site and they seem to do sport more frequently throughout the week. LU bus then to Wood Green one afternoon per week for team sports. But LU have a pool on site. Both schools have a climbing wall, dance studios and gym. Both offer rowing.
• larger year groups at LU - feels 'busier'
• teaching fantastic in both school, with only the odd exception.
• LU is a very forward-thinking, dynamic school, but tougher socially (in my opinion). G&L somehow seems a much calmer and kinder, more nurturing environment.
• LU has the most far-reaching bursary programme of any London independent (I think it's something like 25% in receipt if some form of bursary at LU, compared to around 10% at G&L).
• Neither school feels academically pressured once they are in.
• if makes no difference whether one school gets 96% 7/9 at GCSE and one gets 92% or whatever because once in the school, this difference is not remotely tangible to anyone and as long as your child is broadly keeping up they will get top grades in either cohort. Past a certain point, it's their happiness in the right environment that counts, much more than exam stats. The same child will do pretty much the same in either of these schools, and others like them.

Anyway, just in case anyone is interested. Good luck!!!

Does anyone know roughly how many get interviewed at KGS?

Not sure that KGS has a particularly local catchment. We know quite a few people from Wandsworth / Putney and Clapham applying. The train line plays a big role - though not as big as for other schools, like Emanuel, as do the bus lines that pass by the school.

We really liked KGS after attending the 11 plus evening. Thought the Head was very candid and the evening answered lots of questions for us. We're not super local.

As I see it an hour commute not only 10 hours a week commuting but also means that some of your friends (if an hour in the other direction) could live 2 hours away! One of the things I like about kgs is that I think they have a relatively small catchment area.

@quizaddict many thanks

How is I think a 45 min commute would be right at the upper limit. We're hoping for 30mins or less and all of the schools we've applied to bar one are within this. One is possibly just over, could even be 45mins in rush hour.

We were told by our head that max journey time should be 40 mins, but every student we meet on senior school tours seems to travel an hour so I think it's pretty standard in London.. Obviously the shorter the better, but I think an hour is quite common.

The traffic is one of my concerns. Trains would work for us but they are unreliable. If that ends up as the school I think school bus for at least the first year

@QuiteAJourney My friend's daughter sat WHS last year and is now in Y7 there. She said the NVR is in timed sections and that she left a few out in the first sections but made up time in later sections so went back and answered the ones she left out. She also has friends who didn't manage to go back and finish and they still got through to the next round. Not sure about VR

@Schoolapplicationjoy the trains would make it too complicated. Bus stop is 5 mins from our house and then direct to Kneller Hall so it could be worse, it's just the traffic can be awful in about 4 places along the way!