Newstead wood grammar school results

@Growlybear83 interesting thanks DD was in Y1 in 2015 and i was looking at the school for a few years before.and a neighbour went a good number of years before too and it was 9 miles in their memory but appreciate that beyond that it may have been different. I know originally there were only 90 places when I was school age so the school has almost doubled in that time.

Wow thank you for this info. My daughter is a September baby too.

and I certainly don’t think that we would put her through more than what you had done, she is very social and sporty and so would be miserable if all of her time was spent being tutored :(

we also have 2 girls so that was also ok my mind, if one got in and one didn’t

thanks for you honest input

The catchment area was 11.5 miles when my daughter applied, if I remember correctly, and then reduced to 9 miles just after she started. I particularly remember the change because we were very thankful that she went when she did because we would not have been within the reduced catchment area.

My daughter is very bright and maybe even top 3 in her class (though the teacher would have never given me this info if I'd asked!)... she's naturally good at maths and English, excellent memory, good at logic puzzles and loves learning... but despite the prep we did at home, missed out by 2 marks.

I started gently in y4 with a few papers and exercises, then at the end of y4 I got a tutor weekly... in y5 I ramped up the prep to 20 mins daily and weekly tests.... but despite this she didn't make it.

Those who did make it had done even more tuition than us, more hours per week over a longer period of time.

On the day of the test, there were soooo many girls... I knew it would be competitive but I had no idea how much.

If your daughter is a Sept born child, you will need to get them to aim even higher in the test as the results are age adjusted. I think this is what got us... we were aiming for a certain mark as a raw score (80%) but we needed to aim for 90% really.

I don't know if we would have still gone through all of that, knowing what I know now... or if we would have gone for it but taken a different approach... I do wish I'd known more about it though!

It all worked out in the end as she loves her school... and I know her sisters will go to the same school as her too (they're not as academic anyway, so this is a weight off!).

I think the catchment area has been reduced since she started

The catchment has been 9 miles for as long as anyone can remember and still is. Main change (about five years ago) is that those on Pupil Premium within the catchment who score 210 or above are guaranteed a place if they want to attend and put the school on their CAF.

Top 3! Wow I do not think she is top 3 sadly :(

They marked late with coach quite a few times but it did not impact anything. We heard If you are late by using other transportation will count towards detention.

My daughter did exactly the same when she was at Newstead Wood. She caught the school coach from Crystal Palace for the whole of Year 7, and then got the train from either West Dulwich or Penge East from Year 8 (I think the catchment area has been reduced since she started). The students who used the bus made a whole separate set of bus friends from different classes and year groups, and also travelled with boys from St Olave's - I don't know if this has changed over the years since she was there. Even from West Dulwich, which was at the very limit for eh catchment area, there were still other Newstead girls on the train.

I'm interested to hear that the coach service is still unreliable - it was really erratic when my daughter used it, and the school made no allowance for the coach being delayed and marked the girls as being late, because the coach was organised by the PTA rather than the school.

A FoI request showed that of the 168 who were offered on 1st of March for 2023 entry they came from 89 different schools.

Yours need to be at top (3) of the class in a good state primary especially VR/NVR. Many smart girls there from all around UK (mainly south). The coach is fine(a few times late or broken in a term which is okay) because school does not count coach is late.

Good luck! The test is tough I think!

That’s a great idea, coach for the first year.

if she passes the test! At the moment she’s above average but not the top of the class. Ridiculously good at sports, shame that doesn’t add to het likelihood to get in!

We are in Beckenham and my daughter took the coach last year, when she was in Y7. The main reason why she’s now taking the train is that the coach is so unreliable. It was late and broke down so many times in the morning and after school. But, saying that, she made great friends on there from different forms and it was nice knowing she was safe and with her friends.

Now she’s a year older, we feel happier with her getting the train. Two other girls who she got the coach with last year, also from
Beckenham, get the train together too. Saying that, the train was cancelled yesterday and I had to drive her to school. Swings and roundabouts really!

Thanks for this! I will che k out the coaches and trains. We have Langley girls which is a good option, and at least she will have local friends if not

It may seem scary now but lots of children do this and they won’t be on their own as others will be doing the same. Loads walk down Newstead avenue from the train station and then in reverse. There is a coach run by Lewis coaches http://www.lewis-school-travel.co.uk but really if you are in Beckenham it is generally very easy by train. The school is open from about 8am and they can usually get snacks from the canteen etc if they prefer breakfast at school. The library is a great place to study after school too which , along with sports fixtures or twilight courses like Mandarin would not be an option if getting the coach.

Cut off score for entrance for 2024 leapt by six points compared to 2023. More info here
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewtopic.php?t=65131&start=100

Sorry to jump on this post, but just looking at options but we live in Beckenham.

is there a school coach that takes students to school?

we wouldn’t want our daughter going by public transport for an hour in the dark by herself obviously

thanks

My youngest has just started y7 at NW, and is loving it so far.
My middle child was there y7-11, and was very happy there, just wanted a change so moved to St Olave’s for 6th form.
Afraid I can’t help with cut off info, but Pettswood Fiona’s link is a wealth of info on this.
Good luck to your dd.

Thank you so much. Your reply is really helpful. My daughter's result should be out in about two weeks time.

Thank you so much. My daughter result will be out in around two weeks time. If she scores above 225, I will definitely put Newstead on top of the preferred list.

Yes! We got offer on offer day 225. My girl is in year 7. She loves Newstead and said every girl is so friendly. School has points system, very encouraging students. They are doing production and many clubs as well as home work :) We did not go to selective private. I think we made the right decision!

My daughter was offered a place. Her score was 227. A friends daughter got 221 and was not offered a place on offer day but was offered a place later.

There is some info with the cut offs on the elevenplusexams forum https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewtopic.php?p=786837#p786837

Good luck to anyone waiting for results. My daughter is now (newly) at Uni but had 7 happy years at the school.

Hi, Just curious to know if Newstead school accepted your daughter and if you know, can you please tell me what was the cut off score last year? My daughter sat for the test this year and the result will be out next week. Thank you.

The required score on offer day 1 March 2022 was 225, it went down to about 23rd on waitlist, someone on 220 didn’t get a place this year when in previous years they would have done. 227 should be fine and it would be an exceptional year for them not to get a place.

if you have any questions about the school do ask, my DD joined in Y7 and is now in sixth form at the school.

227 will certainly (>99% likely) get you in as others say - almost certainly on offer day but if not soon after.
With a score like that your DD would also very likely get substantial scholarship at some of the private schools if that is a route you are considering (subject to doing as well in their entrance exams).