SW London Private & Grammar - applying for year 7 in 2023 (Part III)

Yes, it is frustrating. I also keep doubting our chances... Any time the private school parents hear the schools we are applying to, they say oh wow, those are really academic and hard to get into. I have been thinking about it a lot, trying not to show my daughter any of my stress. She has been all smiles and happy through out the process. Even when she thought she bombed a test (she laughed about it and moved on and she ended up doing well, moving on to interview for it). Now it is the interviews. I get nervous, she does not.

@LondonMum20222

I’ve been on this thread for a couple of months and I’m so impressed with your dedication and trying to understand the process when your DC isn’t doing the 11+ exams until this time next year! I’m intrigued as to whether you DC is at a state or prep (perhaps you already mentioned this and I missed that post?).

Either way, kudos to you!

Latymer Upper. It's near Hammersmith.

Hello, I'm so sorry to intrude, I wish all of you well for your children's future schooling and hope they get the places you/they want, and are happy there! I grew up in Sarf West London, which is why I was drawn to this thread, though I just went to a State Grammar, and I have been racking my brains trying to work out what the initials "LU" are for. It's not an odd way of abbreviating the London Oratory, is it? I'd be so grateful for one of you in the know to put me out of my misery please! Thank you. And good luck to everyone on here!

We were told the Claremont head doesn't speak to Prep Heads the way other Heads do, so I don't think anyone has an advantage for there at least.

Definitely a bit quirky, which he wasn't expecting.

@VickiMent same! I wonder if it depends on the person interviewing.

Sorry I did t ask any questions about offers vs interviews. I should have!

My son is also state primary. There have been supportive with time off for exams and did write a ref (though we haven't seen it) but also no helpful advice on where to apply. I also agree that maths at our school does not challenge able students very well. My son says that they are often revising again and again things that they have done before like adding fraction etc.

@VickiMent @secondaryquandries did the CFC interview have any weird quirks or just a discussion?

We've just had it. Happy DS, but he did think it was harder than he expected it to be.

Thank you!

@PreplexJ Ah, Habs is in Herts, hence the confusion!

Have SHHS done interview invites yet? I haven't seen anyone on here mention them (and they'll be on our list next year).

@glassbottle55 Trinity 11plus are out yes or at least some of them are

@LondonMum20222 SHHS NLCS Habs

Don't worry. Not all preps are as organised and helpful as you imagine. Mine is not as helpful as I hope. Little exam and test preparation. School choice advice is very brief. And loads of homework during the peak exam season. Not sure about the elite few who are destined for the top 3 boys' schools, but for the majority of other parents, we feel it this way.

@PreplexJ What's the usual North London Trio girls private? I can only think of NLCS!

Hi all, lurker here! Has anyone heard back from Trinity yet re interviews?

@Pleasegrowmore DD is from state primary, agree state primary has no support whatsoever for the 11+ process. Less than 10 girls in her year sits at any 11+ exams.

During exams and interviews DD felt a bit alone as majority students are from prep and they come in groups and chat to each other..

But she is confident and enjoy then process so far think she is just as good as other candidates which I'm glad.

We applied one superselective grammar in North London (very likely she will get the offer in March ) + the usual North London Trio girls private + SPGS + Highgate, we will drop the grammar option and go to the private should any of these school offer us a place (finger x)..

We are state primary too. Didn’t get through to second round of Tiffins though.
@KindergartenKop thanks. Just a bit surprised with the survey. But DD filled in and there was a bit of “but they asked me that already”.

@Pleasegrowmore @SamPoodle123

we are also state primary. And as you say, it is shooting in the dark somewhat!
it is hard to know how she is doing or what likelihood she has. Even if you get through to interview, the odds seem ferocious and make me feel quite sick!

@QuiteAJourney no I haven't spoken to them but I'm pretty sure that's what it is. I don't think it's part of the decision making process. It would be bizarre if it was and the data they collect on that form can't even be that useful for selection purposes!

@Pleasegrowmore Honestly, it sounds like you're in a great position - you're still in play with the holy grail of the private / grammar combination with SPGS and Tiffin. Your DD's done brilliantly already. And having a great state back-up takes all the stress out of it, I'm sure. Keep us posted!

We are also next week for Claremont interview(although scholarship assessment there tomorrrow). Any insight to number of interviews vs offers @secondaryquandries? I