SW London grammar and private year 7 entry 2024 - Continued

Sending best wishes to those on WL.

Really interesting and encouraging for those waiting that some WL are moving... even if not for the school you are not waiting for, worth considering that there is a domino effect - a DC being offered and accepting a school is coming of the list of potential acceptances or the waitlist of another school. So FHSS moving may impact those waiting for Emanuel, IPS or others.

How often is too often to call the school? I was told to call back Friday but gave in and called today, they are saying things are likely to move on Monday... They are still collating the info and will be doing this over the weekend, but new offers are likely to come out on Monday...
Hard to believe that parents with more than one offer have still not decided on which school they want to go with!

Yes that was me - I spoke to Emanuel admissions and they flatly denied they were doing offers yet..no promises made by them but they kept mentioned Tuesday (offer day) as key milestone (obviously) for WL to start moving (or not …last year it basically didn’t)

I know a lot of people who are just making their final decisions now, and releasing any last offer(s) they were holding. Us included. And of course there are state offers tomorrow.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a whole bunch of WL offers on Monday - possibly even late on Monday - before the Tuesday deadlines.

We spoke with admissions at our two waitlist schools yesterday and neither will have much info until Friday late afternoon. Very hard not to dwell on it as you say @ItsMeHi48

Would love first hand experiences of FHSS parents please? We are looking for inside view from actual parents, behind the gloss so to speak. Thanks so much!!

Have a DS at IPS (year 9) - very happy there, lots of nice families, teachers are good, pastoral care going up and up, grounds are nice. he’s very happy. We are happy

Ibstock waitlist moving

All those wait-listers out there, how are you holding up?! I’m finding it v difficult not to keep dwelling on it… especially now I know the school (FHSS) has moved to its wait list but just not come to us yet 🫠 trying to stay hopeful/patient!

Thank you for all the helpful suggestions. Lots to think about then.

I can guarantee because I know, that KGS does not require CATs of 130+. First, the head told me directly (because I asked him) that he doesn’t look at CATs. Secondly, record numbers of DS’s classmates received offers from KGS this year and I know through parents talking that the vast majority had CATs between 118-125 max. All who made it to interview in all sets, top, middle and bottom recieved offers. Around 12-15 or so!

King’s and Hampton only offered to those in top set / all of whom had +130 CATs.

KGS is very easy to tutor for as it’s just Multiple choice comprehension, small written passage and comparatively straightforward maths.

I completely agree! However it’s what the schools use for entry so my hands are tied.

@Happyof2 thanks that is what i thought …

Dulwich doesn’t host open holders event

Epsom, Reeds, Kings House, Kew House, Radnor House?

I thought I heard that this morning but may be wrong, could be another school!

@farfallarocks are you sure Dulwich is doing an offer holder day ? I have been told they dont🤷🏻‍♀️
@Vive42 dont think that way , we have been told same about our son and he got an offer and others offer 2 that were considered “a stretch” he still has time to practice.

It might also suggest CAT is not a good objective measurement on natural ability/intelligent anymore, it can be skewed and improved by external inference.

Yes Perplex, I agree but in DS’s school there are probably 40% achieving 130+ in his year.

I think that SW London attracts a very bright crowd and intelligence is a 50% heritable trait. It’s somewhat shocking/PITA but it is what it is. It means hopefully at least for uni DS will be ok but the very limited number of spaces at private/grammar secondary 11+ mean we can’t consider top academic schools for him. Being top 10% isn’t enough!

At GCSE and beyond there’s no limit so things will hopefully improve somewhat for him 🤞

Everyone we know at DS’s school have pretty high paying jobs, and are prob high CATs themselves!

CAT score 130 in a normalized scale means top 3% percentile. But sounds like in MN 130+ kids are all over the SW London now.

Thank you it’s a great suggestion but I don’t think DS would make KGS. CATs are coming in around 120/125 and our school have said no point unless 130+

It would be great and we’ll give it a shot but it’s a stretch school for him we’ve been told.

I think they have to play some sort of rugby at Ibstock but most schools now offer non- contact.
Hampton they can choose football.
Kingston Grammar seems an obvious choice- No rugby and near Surbiton.

Parent of an older DD at Surbiton High here. A really lovely school. Of course there are ups and downs for all teens but the school have been amazing and are very responsive and supportive which counts for so much. I can highly recommend it. Loads of clubs, sports, arts, drama, D of E, rowing, skiing, horse riding, book clubs, language clubs, etc. Tons of things to get involved in.

Now looking for DS but no Surbiton High for boys at secondary exists and I can’t find anything that fits the same blend of focus on learning and support without the overwhelming pressure you get at some schools.

We are looking at Ibstock for him so would anyone know what CAT scores are needed for 11+? I’ve asked in another thread but maybe here there are more eyeballs!

Also anything about sport for boys at Ibstock, DS not sporty and hates rugby so would like to know if it’s compulsory.

Total agree with you! Hoping you get your top choice.

I completely agree if offer holder days are yet to take place, but again, surely the debate is between 2 schools. I see so many posts where people have 4-6 offers and are waiting on a final decision before releasing the rest. Its selfish in my view, keep the 2 that your thinking about but at least release the others...
many parents, such as myself, will be forced to pay a deposit on one school whilst waiting on the WL to move...
I have kept one offer open and released the rest whilst we wait on a WL for our first choice school.