SW London grammar and private year 7 entry 2024 - Continued

"I've noticed that some posters pop up on many 11+ threads being negative about the same school again and again. Who knows what axe they have to grind. Perhaps their child applied for the school and didn't get in. Perhaps they'd have loved their child to go to the school but couldn't afford the fees. We'll never know. "

Perhaps those posters have genuine information on these schools? As PP said, there is no smoke without fire. Personal experience varies, but I guess parents can always verify by other sources to tell if some comments or observations just rumours or genuine concern.

On the contrary, many threads show the same school “ambassadors” being positive about the same school again and again. I guess they have no axe to grind here either.

Personally I won't judge those posters' intention simply based on if they actually a child in those school, if they have applied to the school or get an offer, if they have the money to afford private etc.

I have seen parents write negative about certain schools, in particular Ibstock in the past. I believe the posts were even taken down! It is true some schools get more glowing reports then others. I think it comes down to individual experiences. But I have def read some negatives about Ibstock in the past, Harrodian and Latymer. Of course, take everything with a grain of salt, but usually no smoke without fire. The stuff I heard about Harrodian, was confirmed by a friend who has a dc there. I did not even mention what I heard and just asked about the school. She said she was happy about it, great facilities and teaching, but mentioned there are a lot of rich kids and they talk about things like flying first class etc. I think negative posts get taken down though, so not always able to read about them (unless you get to see them before taken down, which I have).

@CocoC I think that the difference that you mention in the rankings is bigger than the difference in results. Beyond that, and the logistics, there are other differences that might lead to parents preferring one or the other (we live equidistantly and did not apply to PHS but WHS was our favourite and DD is very happy there but we have lots of friends with DDs very happy at PHS). Things that people consider include

• Curriculum is different - options for languages, flexibility on GCSE options, number of GCSE (usually 9 plus a course on Politics, Philosophy and Economics, or 10 if not doing that course; PHS does 10)
• Sports are different - hockey vs lacrosse, PHS more specialised, WHS has a swimming pool
• Extra-curricular: PHS traditionally stronger at sport but WHS now improving on that front, both very strong in music (maybe WHS a tad stronger)
• Location: Wimbledon town centre vs Putney (a bit tucked away)
• Demographics: I would say WHS is more diverse
• Vibe: we found WHS more relaxed and less traditional (something we like and suits our DD) and, although she is clearly a very accomplished individual, the former PHS Head was, for us, a turn-off (it turned out to be quite irrelevant as she announced her departure shortly after)

Imho, both are very good schools but probably more different than some think - not necessarily because of the results (which are not that dissimilar) but because of some of the reasons mentioned above.

If I remember rightly from your posts, you applied to PHS but not WHS... if you liked PHS, surely that is what matters rather than how it compares with WHS... and there are many reasons for people to like it. If you (or others) applied to both, worth focusing on the differences and your preferences - there is not a generic right or wrong answer, just want works better for your DD.

I would be wary of league tables and just look at the core data for results (in which there's almost no difference between PHS and WHS for 2023 GCSE and A Level results if you're looking at top grades.)

I think @minipie is right - the head at WHS seems very popular, and quite an inspirational leader.

For those in our cohort making the decision between PHS and WHS, it seems to be down to vibe and nothing more. They do feel like very different schools in terms of atmosphere - but that's a very personal thing and I would just go on your gut instinct as to which you like better / where you think your DD will be happier. The differences in results are marginal.

Thank-you so much to the parents who are posting on this thread with first-hand experience of schools (both @BonjourCrisette and @QuiteAJourney spring to mind, but there are others too). It's incredibly helpful to hear from current parents, not least to cut through the second-hand gossip, rumour and speculation from people who don't have a child at whichever school is being discussed.

I've noticed that some posters pop up on many 11+ threads being negative about the same school again and again. Who knows what axe they have to grind. Perhaps their child applied for the school and didn't get in. Perhaps they'd have loved their child to go to the school but couldn't afford the fees. We'll never know.

But it makes the first-hand experience of those parents with children at a school even more valuable, so thanks again to those parents for taking the time to post with reliable insights.

CocoC just speculating but Putney lost a very popular and long standing head this year with the new one only starting Sep 2025 so a bit of an unknown. Whereas WHS has a head who’s been in place a couple of years and was deputy head before that - and she is fantastic IMO. Imagine that may be a factor.

For GCSEs Putney girls generally do 10 whereas WHS girls do 9 - this will likely boost the average grade per GCSE at WHS.

Any feedback on why PHS seems to have dropped quite a bit behind WHS in the league tables and generally in terms of recent popularity?
Majority of people I know who had offers for WHS took them over PHS, whereas a few years ago PHS was the better known/more prestigious. Why is this ?

I yet to hear any negative experience from direct parents reported in these thread. All of them seems to be extremely positive so far.

Perhaps all the school are great, or perhaps finding honest school reviews from current parents on the MN are challenging, as there may be various sources of bias, including survivorship, self selection and confiemation bias.

I assume we will be less likely to hear experience on negative/drawback of the school, most of which probably could be second hand but not necessarily unrepresentative.

I would be very thankful for honest reviews / info from current or recent parents of Ibstock Place School. My DC has an offer for Y7 and whilst I like all I’ve seen of the school, it is worrying to read some historical reviews so I am trying to understand the school before deciding within the week to accept the offer.

They are mostly quite hard-working girls. But I think this is more because they are girls who like learning and want to do their best, rather than because the school pressures them to do so. School is really at pains to try and stop them doing too much.

There is little competition and girls are generally supportive of each other. My daughter and her friends seem to love it there and are happy mostly (with the obvious caveats about the dreadful business of being a teenager). The school viewpoint is that they should not be competing with each other but rather trying to do their own best and this does seem to carry through to them. They all help each other with homework etc and there is a good culture of collaboration and kindness between them all.

Staff are mostly fantastic and we get plenty of communication from school. They are also very good at responding fast to specific issues. DD had a problem in Y8 with unkindness from another girl and it was sorted out within about 24 hours never to reappear. The head of year was amazing in how fast she handled it all.

My daughter was v shy at first but I have seen her blossom in terms of confidence and ability to articulate her own ideas and priorities during her time at school. She is now in her first year of A Levels and has loved her time there. She is also quite sensitive but I think the school is used to overthinkers. Pastoral support is very good indeed.

There are a few genuinely bonkers parents but most seem fairly normal to me.

If you have specific questions, feel free to ask or PM me.

@MuddyBoots21@FlyingPandas@lolo99 DS loved the Hampton offer holder morning yesterday and remarked that all the boys in his group were lovely. He’s buzzing to be going there. So glad all your boys had a great time too.

Additionally, are the school staff approachable and responsive? How is the communication between the school and parents?

Any feedback on St. Paul’s Girls’ School?

Are girls feeling pressured to study with all those highly competitive peers? Are parents also super competitive? Are the girls genuinely happy there?

My daughter received an offer without tutoring and without much preparation. She was lucky on the exam days and enjoyed the papers. However, she is very emotionally sensitive and quite laid-back. She tends to blend in behind others. I wonder if it is the right school for children with similar characteristics?

Can i ask if anyone released Dulwich College ? Thank you

@lolo99 @FlyingPandas We went yesterday and loved it too. It felt like a fun, happy place to be. My DS thoroughly enjoyed it. We accepted when we got home.

Yes we had that kind of “nudge” email from a couple of schools following their offer holder days.

I know quite a few people who have already made their decision and have accepted/rejected their offers, and expect a lot more will this weekend as most offer holder days are done by now - and then there’s state offers on 1 March which will kick off more movement. I guess some people do sit on all their offers till the very last minute but hopefully not many.

For those currently on WL, just FYI I know at least one school (WHS - who held all their offer holder days this week) have now emailed parents asking them to give up their place swiftly if they know that they're not taking it so that they can assess how much the WL will move. Hopefully for those on WL, this means there may even be some movement next week (or at least an indication of likely movement).

Separately, another school at an offer holders' day told us that they're not expecting their WL to move much until (or even after) the offer holders' deadline as many people don't send emails to turn down a school until the last day.

For people who've already accepted another school, and then get a WL place for their first choice school, that means a dilemma about paying double deposits. But for those currently just on WL, it means not to give up hope even around the acceptance deadline as it sounds like there will still be a fair amount of movement in the days thereafter. Anecdotally, I know people who've got their first choice school from a WL place in the final week of August.

Good luck to those on WL. We'll be giving up the places we're not taking this weekend.

mmhophey I can’t see gymnastics on the club schedule I’ve been sent by Emanuel, but I note a pp says it’s on the PE curriculum for Y7 & 8. Which fits with what I heard at the open day, that they get to try a whole range of sports quite early on (in contrast to some schools who basically stick to hockey/netball/cricket for ages).

Football - there is an after school football club which looks to be open to both boys and girls, but it runs at the same time as netball so guessing there may be a gender split in reality.

I think unless you personally know someone offered from WL, you still have time by Mon or grammar offers day to find out. So all the best and good luck and not get stress over this weekend.

We attended today and loved it. We had already accepted too but wanted to attend and so glad we did. It wasn't OTT in any way. I hope everyone who attended today signs up.

We did the Hampton offer holder day yesterday, we'd already accepted DS's offer (and know the school) so it wasn't going to sway our opinion one way or another, but just posting here in case it helps anyone who might get offered a WL place. Lots of different activities for the boys, a good Q&A session for parents, plenty of staff and pupils to chat to, school tours available. Oh and lots of tasty food related incentives for the boys when completing activities, always a winner

We are now at the end of our 11+ journey having accepted our favourite and released our other options, but I'm still checking in on this thread and keeping everything crossed for those of you still hoping for waitlist places, good luck to all.

Yes, similar position here! PHS closest to us, but DD felt the teachers and general atmosphere at FHSS during the interview process were a lot kinder, so she is swayed by that. Would appreciate any feedback from open days!

@minipie Oh fab!

Thank you @farfallarocks I’m sorry to ask again, were you offered a place today? Quite anxious as couldn’t find out DC’s WL standing.

Yes they have a big drama provision. In Y7 and Y8 the kids can take part in a whole school musical and/or separate Y7 and Y8 plays. Lots of fun. Gymnastics is part of the PE schedule in Y7 and Y8 and I’m pretty sure they have girls football and gymnastics clubs but double check with the school as I have a DS so it hasn’t been relevant for him (though he’s been v involved in drama).