SW London grammar and private year 7 entry 2024 - Continued

I have a DC at kgs. It’s a sweet school but I’m not sure they stretch children as much as they could if DC are happy to coast along the middle of the pack, even if they are capable of more. We were torn between KGS and RGS for DC1 and I often think we made the wrong choice.

Yes, that is a good summary of KGS that it is the best of co-ed and has a good vibe. Also, re sports comment above, remember it isn't just hockey. They take rowing seriously from Y9 too. Plus the usual cricket, netball etc - there is a wide range but it is centred on hockey and rowing.

@Summerma if you don’t mind me asking, was any of those schools FHSS?

Does anyone have any experience on the waiting list movement for NHEHS? How many are on the WL and how many receive offers? Should I hold out hope?

FYI admissions teams do appear to be working. I’ve received emails from all the schools we released, acknowledging receipt and asking for info on where DS is off to.

It was City Girls who used exploding offers. But it ended up making them look terrible - I think there was a thing in the Daily Mail about it.

Exploding offers were a thing five years ago when I did this process with oldest DC. From memory, it was CLSG (on the basis that they had very tight space constraints) that had actually used them
the year before, and one other school (KGS?) which had them in the small print but had never actually used them.

It seems that the negative publicity meant schools moved away from them and instead did bulge years if they had to (WHS 6? years ago, Surbiton High 2 years ago).

@travelturtle thanks so much - that’s very reassuring.
I trawled the email and Ts & Cs and can’t see any mention so hopefully can set that worry aside 😅

Yes the schools will let you know if it’s an exploding offer. Most won’t be. As someone upthread said, Radnor did this 2 years ago. They haven’t this year. I think it would only happen if a school had misjudged it massively and were worried about more acceptances than they can manage. But they’d have to let you know.

Sounds awful- hopefully they will have mentioned it as that serves their purpose for doing it?

I’m unnerved by the mentions of “exploding offers” - I wasn’t aware till recently such a thing existed!
Are schools generally open about this when that’s their policy or is it something you only find out about once it’s too late and your offer has gone up in smoke?! 😳

@Trickleg thanks yes i know that as i saw the videos / fotos on website , and that is what i like too.thank you for your feedback i am exited to see it soon🙃

KGS is lovely but please do not expect the grandiose buildings and grounds of Dulwich College! It’s compact and urban and modern. They make very good space of every last inch. And, as I’m sure you know, it’s hockey, hockey, hockey.

hi , Our DC had an offer at KGS too and we are likely to accept it as we are on waitlist for Dulwich college but don't have a lot of hope that it will move.
we have not done the open morning as it was full and so i m happy when i read experiences from current parents please do keep sending any feedback ! 🙃 we signed up for the offer holder day

DD got an offer from KGS and will likely move from Surbiton Prep releasing her place for SHS. hope it will help someone in the WL.
The main reasons are coed education and the vibe of KGS. We found it more historic, more child focused (it might be a perception we got during the open days and overall +11 process)
@kittybloom it would be nice to hear your view if you have a daughter in KGS :)

I have experience of PHS and the sport is excellent, but I'm sure that it is at LEH as well. PHS are supportive of and accommodate elite athletes, and they have quite a few. Also, they play lacrosse and not hockey, which may be important to some, football but no rugby. Both schools have a rowing programme, which might not be on people's radar at yr 7, but its a huge opportunity that is not available everywhere. It's a heavy training commitment but a real community - for parents as well. It yr 7, PHS runs 7 netball teams but this dwindles as girls move on to other sports - especially if they're not in the top 2-3 teams. There's no pool at PHS whereas there is at LEH, so that's another factor. Good luck with your choice. I would look at other comparison factors than just sport however. Ultimately, both are great schools.

Thanks @tennissquare @lolo99 I will be keeping my fingers crossed, hopefully there will be some movement after half term

@SkaterGrrrrl Ist March national offers day - as it is a state school.

Does anyone know when Tiffin boys offers go out? Asking for a friend!

I heard Eltham College did exactly this a few days ago. They sent letters to some parents that they had reached their capacity before the deadline and therefore they withdraw their offers. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Radnor House do exploding offers, or did 2 years ago.

My daughter was accepted as part of this co-hort. It was annoying when she signed up for clubs and sports and there wasn't space for her to join.

We’re in a fortunate position of having offers from both PHS and LEH. DD wants Putney for sports but we think we should give LEH a serious consideration. Commute is the same to both. Can anyone here with experience shed some light on pros and cons of both? Thanks

Can anyone share their experience regarding whether SPGS can defer the 11+ entry to 13+?. Thanks

Good morning. Well done to everyone on their offers and good luck to those on wait lists.

I have DC at KGS and SHS. Both have been great schools for my children so happy to answer questions but both definitely recommended. I have friends with kids at most of the schools being mentioned here. Tbh they are all good and I know a lot of happy parents and children! Better to factor in travel time to school, sports your child likes, what clubs on offer, co-ed v single sex and did you like vibe of school. And remember sometimes it just doesn’t work out for whatever reason and there is some movement at y9.

As time goes on, honestly, I think travel
time to school (and games site if off site) is a really important factor. Heads change, vibe of year group change but location doesn’t change!