Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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:
Somewhereinlondon81 · 16/01/2026 09:11

SamPoodle123 · 16/01/2026 07:04

Good luck to those doing the G&L interviews today! Dd will be there helping out.

Dropped off my eternally scruffy DD after a fairly brisk run due to lateness. God knows if she can even remember which school she's at at this stage. Ah well! The girls on the welcome desk were incredibly kind and charming, so if your DD is one of them, well done to you!

SamPoodle123 · 16/01/2026 07:04

Good luck to those doing the G&L interviews today! Dd will be there helping out.

Sparklinggreen · 15/01/2026 18:19

icantbelievethis001 · 15/01/2026 17:24

@Sparklinggreenwould be grateful if you could drop me a DM with regards to interview questions. Thanks!

Have also sent you a PM! X

Sparklinggreen · 15/01/2026 18:18

DreamyTealSquid · 15/01/2026 16:00

@Sparklinggreen Hi Sparklinggreen, I have only just joined Mumsnet today ... equally have not figured out how to use PM. My DD having received interview invite from SPGS and I saw your post recommending a tutor for interview. DD is currently in a through school so really no support on anything. Would be very grateful if you could let me know the tutor details? Thank you very much in advance Xx

Hi have sent you a PM X

icantbelievethis001 · 15/01/2026 17:24

@Sparklinggreenwould be grateful if you could drop me a DM with regards to interview questions. Thanks!

DreamyTealSquid · 15/01/2026 16:00

@Sparklinggreen Hi Sparklinggreen, I have only just joined Mumsnet today ... equally have not figured out how to use PM. My DD having received interview invite from SPGS and I saw your post recommending a tutor for interview. DD is currently in a through school so really no support on anything. Would be very grateful if you could let me know the tutor details? Thank you very much in advance Xx

Sparklinggreen · 15/01/2026 15:26

thejollypostwoman1 · 15/01/2026 14:30

Yes please! Albeit don’t know how to dm!
any more details from your daughters experience as to format etc would be hugely helpful…

Show quote history

I have sent you a PM - you can see it in the Private message page - the notification with a blue circle x

thejollypostwoman1 · 15/01/2026 14:30

Sparklinggreen · 15/01/2026 11:57

In case anyone is interested , when we did the 11+ for SPGS, we used a tutor who knows the St Paul’s Girls interview really well ( he has a bank of questions from previous years) did a couple of SPGS specific interview session with my child after we got 2nd round invites. They were extremely helpful. Happy to share his details please PM me x

Yes please! Albeit don’t know how to dm!
any more details from your daughters experience as to format etc would be hugely helpful…

Sparklinggreen · 15/01/2026 11:57

In case anyone is interested , when we did the 11+ for SPGS, we used a tutor who knows the St Paul’s Girls interview really well ( he has a bank of questions from previous years) did a couple of SPGS specific interview session with my child after we got 2nd round invites. They were extremely helpful. Happy to share his details please PM me x

Lolakath19 · 15/01/2026 11:07

Butterpecan21 · 14/01/2026 14:27

Does anyone have any idea of numbers for SPGS: applicants to those invited to the interview round to those made an offer?

A few years ago they would interview 220 people for 100 spaces. - approx 130/140 offers and 10/20 on waiting list

Csummer · 14/01/2026 18:57

Sparklinggreen · 14/01/2026 11:03

Have sent you a PM with details of a tutor X

Show quote history

thanks xx!

Butterpecan21 · 14/01/2026 14:27

Does anyone have any idea of numbers for SPGS: applicants to those invited to the interview round to those made an offer?

ThatNoisyZebra · 14/01/2026 14:23

That's a good point, and I agree. I'm comparing the 2.5-hour Latymer experience with a 20-minute Interview at Kings and some of the very generic questions experienced at Hampton, which will produce fairly standard answers in most cases. So I just question the ability to differentiate between 300+ kids in some of these sessions.

SamPoodle123 · 14/01/2026 14:10

ThatNoisyZebra · 13/01/2026 21:28

The interview is only 20 mins so my guess is they already have rankings based on exams, they review the HM reports and then the interviews just finalise that list maybe? I'm not sure how much you can gain from 20m ins.

This is my thought too. But another thing, I think they also want to make sure your dc will be happy at the school and participate in what they have to offer. For example during my dd interviews the schools would ask about hobbies and then mention how they have that at the school or that she would like the clubs or whatever at the school. Basically, it sounded like they were trying to find out she was the right fit and the feedback sounded like they thought she would be a great fit for the school (from what dd said).

If your dc is keen on a school, it is good to demonstrate why they are a good fit. It also means, they will have an easy start to the school and make friends fast when they are joining in on many extra curriculars.

Sparklinggreen · 14/01/2026 11:03

Csummer · 13/01/2026 21:11

Asking for the same. Thought ds did well to get to next level but learned a handful of others at his school got in. Start to worry as we haven’t preped him with any interview skills.
btw, any interview prep kit anyone can recommend, or a tutor? thanks!

Show quote history

Have sent you a PM with details of a tutor X

ThatNoisyZebra · 13/01/2026 21:28

The interview is only 20 mins so my guess is they already have rankings based on exams, they review the HM reports and then the interviews just finalise that list maybe? I'm not sure how much you can gain from 20m ins.

Nothankyov · 13/01/2026 21:14

Stumbled across this thread and just wanted to wish you all good luck. I can honestly say that this was one of the most stressful time for me when preparing my eldest for the 11+. And I have moved countries three times! 🤣

Csummer · 13/01/2026 21:11

ThatNoisyZebra · 12/01/2026 17:10

Does anyone have information on the KCS conversion rates from interview invites to offers?

Asking for the same. Thought ds did well to get to next level but learned a handful of others at his school got in. Start to worry as we haven’t preped him with any interview skills.
btw, any interview prep kit anyone can recommend, or a tutor? thanks!

OneCalmVs2D · 13/01/2026 19:47

ABCFulham · 13/01/2026 19:36

Ah so sorry to hear about your dd poor thing. Sending best wishes for G&L ❤

Show quote history

Thanks, wishing your DD all the best.

spiritblackeye · 13/01/2026 19:41

Minitomato · 13/01/2026 08:48

Is sps second round result different timing to spgs?

I'm wondering the same as I am waiting for the st pauls boys 11+ 2nd stage results. Keep refreshing my emails!

ABCFulham · 13/01/2026 19:36

OneCalmVs2D · 13/01/2026 17:18

Did not make it to Spgs next round. DD was in tears, till she got some chocolate icecream !!!!G&L on Friday so fingers crossed she will be ok.

Ah so sorry to hear about your dd poor thing. Sending best wishes for G&L ❤

OneCalmVs2D · 13/01/2026 17:18

Did not make it to Spgs next round. DD was in tears, till she got some chocolate icecream !!!!G&L on Friday so fingers crossed she will be ok.

ABCFulham · 13/01/2026 14:04

SPGS emails out... happy that dd made it to next round and hoping all waiting have good news xx

ABCFulham · 13/01/2026 10:10

OneCalmVs2D · 13/01/2026 08:46

Anyone waiting for Spgs ?

Yes waiting, nothing yet

hereandthere14 · 13/01/2026 10:03

todayortomorrow · 13/01/2026 09:16

What did everyone think of the Alleyns exams on Friday? My son was surprised how many reasoning questions there were - maybe 80 in 50 minutes. I'm assuming Alleyns interviews 300 at most and there were a lot of kids there!

Yes, apparently their VR section was hard. I believe this is always the case though. I’ve heard there were 800 kids. Not sure if that’s true.