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Original poster

Any experience of Kings Maths School vs LAE for 6th form?

344 replies

JusteanBiscuits · 04/11/2024 13:23

My son has applied to KCLMS for 6th form and also to LAE Stratford.

He wants to study Maths at University, and truly loves the subject. His heart is set on KCLMS, but as that is entirely maths / physics, I wonder if going to LAE (his second choice) would be better for the all round experience? Meeting a wider variety of people, a much wider selection of extra curricular clubs etc. I worry the excitement at 16 of being immersed in maths might wear off, and being somewhere with a wider curriculum might be better?

Any experience would be appreciated. Thanks

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Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 22/08/2025 20:35

Nost · 22/08/2025 20:22

What happened in the end? I’m sure your son will be successful wherever he ends up as sounds like he has the right attitude and is super bright!

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Oh, in the craziness of it all I forgot to come back here.

So. He got an offer! BUT then a dose of reality, and a a very long chat, he has decided he wants to stay where he is 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I understand his reasoning. And totally support him what ever he wants. But I do wish he'd decided that months ago.

I forget how spending most of year 7 locked down affects then at times. He really struggled to make friends for a few years at high school, so I get him not wanting to start again.

He has started asking about summer schools for next summer though 🤣

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Nost · 22/08/2025 20:22

JusteanBiscuits · 20/08/2025 13:32

He's just had an email asking him to send his results in tomorrow, and that places may become available, with decisions being made at 3pm.

What happened in the end? I’m sure your son will be successful wherever he ends up as sounds like he has the right attitude and is super bright!

Dangermouse999 · 20/08/2025 20:28

JusteanBiscuits · 20/08/2025 19:41

When k emailed them they made offers only to the number of places they have - 70-75. Then you were either rejected or waitlisted.

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My number included the waitlist. It was 30 last year I believe.

I think everyone gets a bit nervous before results!

PrincessOfPreschool · 20/08/2025 19:48

DS will enrol at current school though in case he doesn't get in. But if he does get in, he's decided to go there as it will be more fun to do Spanish with other kids than trying to study it by himself with tuition (which he is capable of but not much fun). Unfortunately we are not a Spanish speaking family!

PrincessOfPreschool · 20/08/2025 19:46

Oh the Maths school 😅. Sorry, confused. Also wondered why my DD didn't get an email! Good luck to your DS tomorrow. That's brilliant!!

Yes, I'm not sure why LAE do this (and it puts me off) but I think there is a lot of movement between schools ie. Kids applying to several top schools in Newham and they don't know how many will accept their offer. DS wants to stay at his current school but they don't offer Spanish, and it's his best subject after Maths.

Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 20/08/2025 19:42

Dangermouse999 · 20/08/2025 19:13

All the offer holders have to go in to the school on Thursday to enrol. Our slot is 11am. Presumably by lunchtime they’ll have a good idea of the number of spare places. Fingers crossed @JusteanBiscuits!

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He is wavering tonight on whether he'd take a place now 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I think it's nerves for tomorrow!

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Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 20/08/2025 19:41

Dangermouse999 · 20/08/2025 19:09

No idea where you got your figures from but Kings Maths School has 70-75 places not 275. Around 1300 took the entrance exam, I think the number of offers was nearer to 100.

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When k emailed them they made offers only to the number of places they have - 70-75. Then you were either rejected or waitlisted.

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Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 20/08/2025 19:38

PrincessOfPreschool · 20/08/2025 15:25

It is exciting but a bit odd. They have given out 1,200 offers for 275 places! They must be expecting a load of offer holders to be going elsewhere. I have already warned DS that he could get the highest results and still not get in if all places go to Newham residents. I know Brampton and NCS did extremely well in their A level results so maybe they are absorbing a lot of LAE's offers.

Ah, I was confused but you're talking about LAE 😁

Yes. A friend's son has decided to stay where he is for 6th form rather than go to LAE as he's concerned he could end up with no place anywhere. It does seem very strange to make so many more offers than places available.

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Dangermouse999 · 20/08/2025 19:13

JusteanBiscuits · 20/08/2025 13:32

He's just had an email asking him to send his results in tomorrow, and that places may become available, with decisions being made at 3pm.

All the offer holders have to go in to the school on Thursday to enrol. Our slot is 11am. Presumably by lunchtime they’ll have a good idea of the number of spare places. Fingers crossed @JusteanBiscuits!

Dangermouse999 · 20/08/2025 19:09

PrincessOfPreschool · 20/08/2025 15:25

It is exciting but a bit odd. They have given out 1,200 offers for 275 places! They must be expecting a load of offer holders to be going elsewhere. I have already warned DS that he could get the highest results and still not get in if all places go to Newham residents. I know Brampton and NCS did extremely well in their A level results so maybe they are absorbing a lot of LAE's offers.

No idea where you got your figures from but Kings Maths School has 70-75 places not 275. Around 1300 took the entrance exam, I think the number of offers was nearer to 100.

puffyisgood · 20/08/2025 15:37

I think the Surrey/Guildford place is good, but given the importance of social life & so on at that age, isn't commutable from London. Maybe at a huge stretch for someone who happens to live on the doorstep of Waterloo or Clapham Junction station.

PrincessOfPreschool · 20/08/2025 15:25

It is exciting but a bit odd. They have given out 1,200 offers for 275 places! They must be expecting a load of offer holders to be going elsewhere. I have already warned DS that he could get the highest results and still not get in if all places go to Newham residents. I know Brampton and NCS did extremely well in their A level results so maybe they are absorbing a lot of LAE's offers.

Nost · 20/08/2025 13:35

JusteanBiscuits · 20/08/2025 13:32

He's just had an email asking him to send his results in tomorrow, and that places may become available, with decisions being made at 3pm.

That’s so exciting! Keeping everything crossed for him

Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 20/08/2025 13:32

He's just had an email asking him to send his results in tomorrow, and that places may become available, with decisions being made at 3pm.

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Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 20/08/2025 12:08

Dangermouse999 · 20/08/2025 11:11

I meant it was a shame it wasn't closer, not that you wouldn't consider it.

My son is looking at up to 1 hr 20 - 1hr 40 journey each way for sixth form on the days I can't drive him part of the way. That's longer than I'd like but he's absolutely determined to go so he knows he has to live by the consequences.

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Driving anywhere would take longer. His current school is just over 2km away, but is quicker to walk than drive! We're in London but wrong side for Waterloo.. 10 minute walk to the tube, but if you're not on the right line things get messy LOL

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Dangermouse999 · 20/08/2025 11:11

JusteanBiscuits · 18/08/2025 10:25

Yes, but adding 5 hours travel onto a day isn't something I think would be healthy or good for any child! We have a 1 hour commute limit, otherwise he would lose the things he loves outside of school - and I believe are important to being a well rounded human one day!

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I meant it was a shame it wasn't closer, not that you wouldn't consider it.

My son is looking at up to 1 hr 20 - 1hr 40 journey each way for sixth form on the days I can't drive him part of the way. That's longer than I'd like but he's absolutely determined to go so he knows he has to live by the consequences.

Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 18/08/2025 10:25

Dangermouse999 · 18/08/2025 10:05

I'm not sure why they may have places other than it is one of the biggest maths schools but that is a shame :-(

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Yes, but adding 5 hours travel onto a day isn't something I think would be healthy or good for any child! We have a 1 hour commute limit, otherwise he would lose the things he loves outside of school - and I believe are important to being a well rounded human one day!

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Dangermouse999 · 18/08/2025 10:05

JusteanBiscuits · 18/08/2025 09:49

Unfortunately it's 2 1/2 hours journey on public transport from us :(

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I'm not sure why they may have places other than it is one of the biggest maths schools but that is a shame :-(

Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 18/08/2025 09:49

Dangermouse999 · 18/08/2025 09:29

I don't know if you are aware but Surrey Maths school has recently posted online that they are interested in hearing from applicants on GCSE results day who didn't apply in the last admission cycle.

The school is in central Guildford close to the train station, about 30-40 mins train journey from Waterloo.

Might be worth investigating for your son? I've read positive things about it from current students.

Surrey Maths School Late Applications

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Unfortunately it's 2 1/2 hours journey on public transport from us :(

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Dangermouse999 · 18/08/2025 09:29

JusteanBiscuits · 30/07/2025 14:32

I'm wondering whether, if he doesn't end up with a place this year (on waitlist) whether he can reapply next year, for year 12 entry if he decided he wanted to? As, being waitlisted, he likely would have got int his year if the expansion work had been finished...

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I don't know if you are aware but Surrey Maths school has recently posted online that they are interested in hearing from applicants on GCSE results day who didn't apply in the last admission cycle.

The school is in central Guildford close to the train station, about 30-40 mins train journey from Waterloo.

Might be worth investigating for your son? I've read positive things about it from current students.

Surrey Maths School Late Applications

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Dangermouse999 · 30/07/2025 18:58

Digimoor · 30/07/2025 16:49

I don't think KCLMS is worth an extra year of school and I don't think they let people transfer in mid way through

I agree.

Yes, you get the weekly problem solving session with a PhD student, a few lectures at the university and the project which is presented at Kings. But that is unlikely to be enough to justify a year’s delay IMHO.

Digimoor · 30/07/2025 16:49

I don't think KCLMS is worth an extra year of school and I don't think they let people transfer in mid way through

Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 30/07/2025 15:41

Dangermouse999 · 30/07/2025 15:28

What does your son think about doing an extra year at school? Could his current school facilitate it - what would he be studying? A levels?

IIRC your son is already on an excellent super-curricular programme with Oxford uni. Maybe focus on that and other similar activities rather than spend an extra year at school with no guarantee of a place. You could ask the KCLMS Admissions team what they say.

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Yes, he is on COMPOS. There are plenty of summer schools etc, but they are all £££ and vastly out of our reach and he also has a weekend / holiday job now too :D

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Dangermouse999 · 30/07/2025 15:28

JusteanBiscuits · 30/07/2025 15:17

Yes, year 11 waiting his GCSE results!

Not retaking a year.. I don't actually know what an option could be. Because even he went to his current school for a year, he would be recovering the maths / further maths / physics syllabus.

Eldest child so not experienced any of this before. I do remember people changing their a levels after a year and redoing year 12 though which is where the thought comes from.

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What does your son think about doing an extra year at school? Could his current school facilitate it - what would he be studying? A levels?

IIRC your son is already on an excellent super-curricular programme with Oxford uni. Maybe focus on that and other similar activities rather than spend an extra year at school with no guarantee of a place. You could ask the KCLMS Admissions team what they say.

Original poster
JusteanBiscuits · 30/07/2025 15:17

Dangermouse999 · 30/07/2025 15:11

Presumably as your son already applied, he’s now in Year 11? Are you thinking of him retaking a year before re-applying? That doesn’t seem a good idea if so.

I joined the offer holders parents session a few weeks ago. I was still not completely clear about the future expansion plans. The building is one thing, ongoing budget for more pupils/teachers is another. With the government looking closely at academy schools (Durham maths school has been delayed another 2 years till opening), I’m not sure you can be guaranteed that the school will add the extra places.

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Yes, year 11 waiting his GCSE results!

Not retaking a year.. I don't actually know what an option could be. Because even he went to his current school for a year, he would be recovering the maths / further maths / physics syllabus.

Eldest child so not experienced any of this before. I do remember people changing their a levels after a year and redoing year 12 though which is where the thought comes from.

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