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Original poster

SW London Private and Grammar - applying for Year 7 in 2023 (part VII)

304 replies

QuiteAJourney · 02/03/2023 06:59

We come from:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4739261-sw-london-private-and-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023-part-vi?page=40&reply=124308644

Let's continue the journey together

OP posts:
Turquoiseturtle3 · 12/05/2023 13:56

I caved and contacted the council. Heard back today - have moved a few places down the list. Slow progress but at least a bit of progress.

Movement trickling in from the grammars

HawaiiWake · 06/05/2023 09:29

We knew families paying deposit and first term fees moving to another private school up to August in the last few years. They said they are chilled and happy with their choice and suddenly St.Paul’s, Westminster, NLCS and GL last minute offers and they move. A few months later we found they been campaigning all that time with letters, emails etc to get move from WL.
Also, grammar space offers right up to first week of September.

KindergartenKop · 06/05/2023 09:12

I would definitely have paid a deposit and a terms fees if my child had been near the top of a grammar school waiting list!

momomamiko · 06/05/2023 08:46

Should have said before/around the time.

Which schools are you waiting for?

Turquoiseturtle3 · 06/05/2023 08:10

momomamiko · 04/05/2023 14:08

Havent heard anything since April 21. First termly payments are due soon? Maybe some movement after that.

Surely there can’t be many people who would pay the first time and then give up the place.. unless it was for a good state grammar… I mean I know it happens. I wonder what stage between now and the end of term will prompt some more movement when the next lot is due

redrobin75 · 05/05/2023 21:24

For anyone considering Surbiton High in the future they published their ISI report today, it's very glowing.

Hampton have had the ISI inspectors in this week.

momomamiko · 04/05/2023 14:08

Havent heard anything since April 21. First termly payments are due soon? Maybe some movement after that.

Turquoiseturtle3 · 04/05/2023 11:01

Any further updates from anyone?

Ilikelists · 22/04/2023 16:23

SamPoodle123 · 22/04/2023 15:09

Oh wow, but such a shame to lose so much money! Too bad the schools do not allow a refund if they fill the space. But any case, your friend must be delighted to get the spot.

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I heard a couple LU offers this week, so maybe a bit more movement happening in the next week.

momomamiko · 22/04/2023 15:17

They were pretty chuffed as it was their top choice :)

Anyone heard anything re KCS waitlist moving?

SamPoodle123 · 22/04/2023 15:09

momomamiko · 22/04/2023 14:18

A friend’s DS got offered a place at LU yesterday. They took it up at the expense of wasting 7k deposit at another school.

Oh wow, but such a shame to lose so much money! Too bad the schools do not allow a refund if they fill the space. But any case, your friend must be delighted to get the spot.

momomamiko · 22/04/2023 14:18

A friend’s DS got offered a place at LU yesterday. They took it up at the expense of wasting 7k deposit at another school.

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 22/04/2023 12:19

Lurkingbutinterested · 22/04/2023 11:21

Oh we turned it down. DC doesn’t want to change, plus we’re happy and also don’t want to spend £8k on wasted school fees/deposits etc.

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I see. I suppose that offers coming quite late in the day are not very likely to be accepted unless that the preference was very strong and/or the pecuniary penalty somewhat limited.

OP posts:
Lurkingbutinterested · 22/04/2023 11:21

QuiteAJourney · 22/04/2023 10:03

Congratulations! I agree that the prospect of (multiple?) school fees might have focused people's minds.
Which school was that for if you do not mind sharing?

Show quote history

Oh we turned it down. DC doesn’t want to change, plus we’re happy and also don’t want to spend £8k on wasted school fees/deposits etc.

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 22/04/2023 10:03

Lurkingbutinterested · 22/04/2023 09:56

There is, we were offered a place for DC this week. I assume the domino effect of places coming up when people were faced with a terms fees at the start of this term becoming due, possibly at multiple schools or fee increases were confirmed.

Congratulations! I agree that the prospect of (multiple?) school fees might have focused people's minds.
Which school was that for if you do not mind sharing?

OP posts:
Lurkingbutinterested · 22/04/2023 09:56

There is, we were offered a place for DC this week. I assume the domino effect of places coming up when people were faced with a terms fees at the start of this term becoming due, possibly at multiple schools or fee increases were confirmed.

Turquoiseturtle3 · 22/04/2023 09:47

In was just wondering whether there is any movement on waiting lists or is it pretty much done now?

KindergartenKop · 01/04/2023 21:44

@sugarcookie5 you'll need to ask specifically. Some schools actually have their own coat (posher end) some just specify black/navy and others just don't care at all!

sugarcookie5 · 01/04/2023 21:30

Hello everyone!! Hope you are enjoying the Easter holidays. Getting next school excited- DS going to Halliford and he’s really looking forward to it. Going through uniform lists- do senior schools have a school coat or do they just wear a simple plain coat? Anyone know please?

Pyrfwondering · 25/03/2023 14:42

@SamPoodle123 hw struggles are always stressful. If it gives you hope, my DS was in Yr6 when COVID hit, so he didn't do hw from March until September, when he started secondary school. Once he started Yr 7 (First Form), the school set the expectations and the consequences for not doing hw. Before the Xmas holidays, he was writing a 1000 word comparison of Mercucio and The Nurse in Romeo & Juliet, as hw.

Keeping in the habit of doing hw is a good thing, of course, but keep faith that even if your DC's habits aren't 100% now, they can and will improve. Good luck!

swgeek · 20/03/2023 09:03

@VickiMent great choice! DD is in Year 7 at EC and loving it. We were worried about how the school would be affected as well but they have done an amazing job even at this very difficult time and everything seems to have settled, I've been very impressed and it is such a relief. I am sure your DC will love it!

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 20/03/2023 00:09

@VickiMent glad to have you back on the thread and to know that you are happy with your choice. We have friends with a DD at EC and another one (who happens to be one of my DD's best friends) about to start. They are really happy with the school - as I hope that you and your DC will be!

PS thanks for your kind message but this thread has been really a collective exercise!

OP posts:
VickiMent · 20/03/2023 00:01

@QuiteAJourney thanks for all the support through the journey. I haven’t been on here for a while but relied heavily on this thread through the process. We really struggled with the final decision but went with Epsom College. We did worry on whether school would suffer this year but I hear that they had more acceptances than expected and no there is WL movement.

Lurkingbutinterested · 19/03/2023 19:26

momomamiko · 19/03/2023 10:38

Homework at our primary seems to have picked up recently in the run up to SATS. They keep sending papers home. I find it odd that 11+ is a no no for the school (because it is for private and competitive) but SATS is full steam and it is ok :)

Well yes. The SATs results will be published and a way for prospective parents to compare schools. Leaver destinations aren’t really a thing for state schools as many of the children will go to their closest comps.

We’ve told DD to do her best but that the SATs don’t matter, whereas they will to her friends going to comps.

Daydreamscometrue · 19/03/2023 18:14

My DS doesn't mind the Sats work. I want him to do well so that he leaves primary on a good note and does well for his school. Although he passed his exams, he's never said he finds the work easy and isn't bored.

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