SW London grammar and private year 7 entry 2024 - Continued

Unless you have a strong feel for a particular school, I would choose whichever is more local. It’s much harder to build friendship, when you live far away…

Thank you very much indeed

How many in a year group at FHRP?

I think if she has a preference, and you're on the fence (plus the commute is easier) I would probably go for that. They're pretty similar schools academically so it really is just about the fit / culture.

She liked FHRP the best. I just worry that it seems a small school, would she be more or less likely to find friends?

Do think about commute - not just for your DD but yourself too, which one is easier for parents to get to for attending school events, concerns, shows, meeting etc.

40 mins isn't a horrible commute, though as others have said on these threads many times, it somewhat depends on whether there are alternative routes (eg on tube strike days). And, given you work in the opposite direction, whether you're happy for her to travel solo from the outset.

Working professionals is very much the NHEHS vibe. Not sure about FHRP.

Does your DD really have no leanings towards any of them?

Very helpful, thank you W8anxious

DH and I are both working professionals. Commute to NHEHS would be around 40 minutes and opposite direction to our work. She loves drama, science and dance. She’s not sporty or particularly musical. These are brilliant questions. Have never used mumsnet before and am very grateful for the replies.

As some said - I think demographics played a big role for us. I felt like FHSS is a bit too much about the hype. I absolutely love the vibe at FHRP although as my DD said: it feels too much like a family less like a school.
I think NHEHS academic performance also played a role for us. NHEHS has a school bus, which makes me feel more calm vs taking public transport.

@ThatPoliteCat Demographically they're quite different schools. FHSS is more affluent, NHEHS much more classic middle-class. Does that make a difference to you?

How long would the NHEHS commute be? I wouldn't be going for a very long commute unless you had to.

What about extra curricular - which of the schools best suits your DD's preferences?

Thank you W8anxious- do you mind if I ask why please?

Thank you 11PlusCraziness, re- feeling of happiness at school, not really…but I’m unfortunately a glass half empty type. I felt there was more of a buzz and energy to FHSS.

We have the same choices and will be accepting NHEHS.

Thank you HawaiiWake it’s FHRP she has a place at FHSS and NHEHS. FHS are a both the same in terms of short commute NHEHS is much longer. I’ve heard mixed direct and anecdotal reports on all three. We turned down SHHS and a couple of others as commute too long. Just don’t want to let her down- this is our first child.

What are the three schools you have left in the running? And what are your / your DD's key priorities? If she's had a tough year socially, is a school that's going to be kind and deal well with pastoral issues a key consideration?

Having visited the schools did you not get any sense of "I can see my DD being really happy here for the next 7 years"?

What is your DD preference?

I am still dithering on indie secondary school choices. I have let go three to help others on the waitlist but three remain. DD has had a tough year socially this year and I want to make sure the fit is the best for her- she’s a shy, gentle, all rounder. People are advising to go with ‘my gut’ but my gut isn’t telling me anything. I need to get a grip right?

@hiitsquare Thats fantastic. City London is a fantastic School !

What was your top Grammar which you declined ?

We are finally deciding between SGS and Hampton. Before offer day it was purely Hampton. After Grammar school offer day, Son is confused.

This whole flurry should settle down in a few weeks.

@mrDoubt congrate to you DS as well. My DS also lucky enough received a few other offers from indies you have mentioned(+ scholarship) and a top grammar but we chose CLS in the end. Have you made your decision? they all great schools! I am sure DSs all will fine.

@hiitsquare congrats. What did you choose in the end. !

Just released a Hampton space, good luck all on WL!

Thank you! Very helpful information.

How many girls are typically in one year of sixth form? If more girls are admitted at year 12, will the total number of students in the year increase significantly? Will the class sizes also increase?

Roughly the same as any other year. In DD's year about 10 people left for sixth form elsewhere and 15 joined. The class sizes seem to be smaller at A Level, typically 10-12 in my daughter's subjects whereas most at GCSE were around 20 for popular/compulsory subjects and however many taking it for less popular subjects (eg one of the subjects my daughter did had only four people in the class).

Additionally, during the GCSE year, does the school advise parents to transfer their children to other schools for sixth form if their grades are poor?

Not as far as I know. There are no explicit grades required to carry on to A Level study. But it is very rare that anyone gets poor grades. You can see from the results tables that very few girls get lower than a 7 in anything. I know of one person who got a 5 in a subject she wanted to take for A Level as a result of personal difficulties and it hasn't been a problem. I have not heard of anyone being asked to leave, but then DD and her friends are pretty conscientious.

Is it the child’s choice to apply to Oxbridge, or does the school decide which children can apply and advise others not to apply?

The child's choice.

SPGS

Could someone provide this information as these questions slipped my mind and I never asked the school before?

1.	How many girls are typically in one year of sixth form? If more girls are admitted at year 12, will the total number of students in the year increase significantly? Will the class sizes also increase?
2.	Additionally, during the GCSE year, does the school advise parents to transfer their children to other schools for sixth form if their grades are poor?
3.	Is it the child’s choice to apply to Oxbridge, or does the school decide which children can apply and advise others not to apply?

Thank you.

good luck- fingers crossed. Some with Tiffin, St Pauls, KCS might choose over Hampton. I have no clue how many they over offer by.