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Original poster

SW London Grammar and private senior school entry 2026

642 replies

firsttrax · 15/02/2025 06:31

Setting up this thread for those of us with DC joining year 7 SW London schools in 2026.

We’re planning to apply to KCS, Hampton, Epsom and Reed’s.

Have been living in Dubai for three years, returning in August for year 6 at DS’ old prep school.

DS has an online tutor focussing on exam technique and any gaps in the curriculum, plus Atom. Current school is great but definitely not preparing him for 11+!

OP posts:
BrentfordForever · 07/02/2026 16:35

Kew House letters on the post for anyone interested 🙂

Wintertime2025 · 06/02/2026 21:05

Yes good on Ibstock. I wasn’t expecting it tbh to come today

sevilleseville · 06/02/2026 20:21

Glad Ibstock have improved their comms! When DD applied the offers came at the end of half term, a week later than everyone else and the letter basically said ‘you have a place, we hope you accept but please read the school rules first.’ No congratulations, well done etc etc. Was bizarre! In contrast, Surbiton’s was a master in marketing. We found the letter the other day- referencing all DDs extra curricular stuff that I don’t think she did at all after Primary School!

BrentfordForever · 06/02/2026 19:53

Youaremyfavourite · 06/02/2026 17:13

Our second email from Ibstock came through to my junk oddly. Maybe look there?

Exactly the same for us too!

lovely touch the personalised page

good luck all x

Seasaltlady · 06/02/2026 18:33

Youaremyfavourite · 06/02/2026 17:13

Our second email from Ibstock came through to my junk oddly. Maybe look there?

Yes just came though our end too! Thank you :)

Youaremyfavourite · 06/02/2026 17:13

Our second email from Ibstock came through to my junk oddly. Maybe look there?

mustwashmycurtains · 06/02/2026 16:19

No second email yet. I would imagine it won’t come until much later

Seasaltlady · 06/02/2026 15:56

BrentfordForever · 06/02/2026 15:23

We got Ibstock offer but not Harrodian - he was particularly stroppy that morning I am not surprised 😂

good luck all!!!

For those who received Ibstock offers, the email stated that a further email with offer details would follow shortly - has anyone received this yet? Just want to make sure I haven’t missed anything!

BrentfordForever · 06/02/2026 15:23

We got Ibstock offer but not Harrodian - he was particularly stroppy that morning I am not surprised 😂

good luck all!!!

mustwashmycurtains · 06/02/2026 14:59

Yes Ibstock and Harrodian both stated they would send emails today

Seasaltlady · 06/02/2026 14:41

AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 06/02/2026 14:29

Not in the process this year, so was not aware of Ibstock comms. Tbh, they being the last ones in previous years (and a somewhat off approach to comms) played rather negatively, so it seems that they have reconsidered.

Show quote history

Fair enough! Yes, I had heard similar from other parents who went through two years ago.

AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 06/02/2026 14:29

Seasaltlady · 06/02/2026 14:14

Ibstock said at application stage that results would be out on the 6th if I’m not mistaken! We were expecting them today infact :) Surbiton’s offer last week was completely unexpected- they got in the earliest from all the schools we applied for and I must say, overall, their outreach has been amazing through this whole process. We have been very impressed with their engagement so far.

Show quote history

Not in the process this year, so was not aware of Ibstock comms. Tbh, they being the last ones in previous years (and a somewhat off approach to comms) played rather negatively, so it seems that they have reconsidered.

Seasaltlady · 06/02/2026 14:14

AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 06/02/2026 13:42

Interesting that Ibstock has released offers so early - they used to be one of the late ones (so much so that they would be the last ones on the Friday before half term...). So maybe a cautionary tale that timings from previous years don't necessarily reflect what would happen this year.

Ibstock said at application stage that results would be out on the 6th if I’m not mistaken! We were expecting them today infact :) Surbiton’s offer last week was completely unexpected- they got in the earliest from all the schools we applied for and I must say, overall, their outreach has been amazing through this whole process. We have been very impressed with their engagement so far.

AlwaysMoreThanMeetsTheEye · 06/02/2026 13:42

Interesting that Ibstock has released offers so early - they used to be one of the late ones (so much so that they would be the last ones on the Friday before half term...). So maybe a cautionary tale that timings from previous years don't necessarily reflect what would happen this year.

ABCFulham · 06/02/2026 13:21

W4mamabear · 06/02/2026 12:26

Ibstock Place emails just came out !

Edited

Congratulations!! Must be a nice feeling to have one in hand so early!

minipie · 06/02/2026 13:07

Somewhereinlondon81 · 06/02/2026 12:41

Did both of those say the 13th, or did they not specify?

Anyone got any tips for communicating bad news to DCs? Ours leaves for a scout camp on the afternoon of the 13th, and, if she hasn't got into her top choice, I don't really want to tell her and then send her off. She's also asked me not to look at my email on Friday 13th because it's bad luck. So I could just wait and tell her news when she gets back, but it feels dishonest...

That’s a tricky one.

I think my child would spend the whole camp worrying about whether she’d got in or not. So she would probably rather know ahead of the camp, even if it was bad news.

But this will definitely vary between kids - so have the discussion about what would be worse for her, knowing bad news or not knowing either way.

If she’d prefer to not know either way, then you have to agree you won’t tell her if it’s good news either or she’ll draw the obvious conclusion if you say nothing !!

Somewhereinlondon81 · 06/02/2026 12:41

Did both of those say the 13th, or did they not specify?

Anyone got any tips for communicating bad news to DCs? Ours leaves for a scout camp on the afternoon of the 13th, and, if she hasn't got into her top choice, I don't really want to tell her and then send her off. She's also asked me not to look at my email on Friday 13th because it's bad luck. So I could just wait and tell her news when she gets back, but it feels dishonest...

thejollypostwoman1 · 06/02/2026 12:39

Which are out today out of interest? And are any that suggest they will be out next Friday likely to come early (please god! 🙏🏻😬) Best of luck to you all!

W4mamabear · 06/02/2026 12:26

Ibstock Place emails just came out !

mumoftwo1982 · 06/02/2026 11:43

Epsom college results came out today - a week earlier than expected! Took me completely by surprise.

Minitomato · 06/02/2026 09:57

Was there any precedents they sent results earlier than the day before half term?

W4mamabear · 06/02/2026 08:50

Dontknowmuchanymore · 06/02/2026 08:27

Anyone else going to be refreshing like mad today? Just in case there are any rogue early notifications before next week!

My advice would be to make yourself very very busy next Friday - that’s my plan anyway! Otherwise the constant refresh will kill me !!

Dontknowmuchanymore · 06/02/2026 08:27

Anyone else going to be refreshing like mad today? Just in case there are any rogue early notifications before next week!

mustwashmycurtains · 05/02/2026 11:29

Wintertime2025 · 04/02/2026 23:17

I have to say I am loving how the school which has given us an offer is now trying to persuade us to join. Oh how the power has turned….

Very jealous. Currently anxiously awaiting email offers (or not) and would love to be in that position

Wintertime2025 · 04/02/2026 23:17

I have to say I am loving how the school which has given us an offer is now trying to persuade us to join. Oh how the power has turned….