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:
MunchkinJ · 09/12/2025 17:07

Congrats to everyone that had good news today! (and commiserations to anyone that had disappointing news). Very pleasantly surprised DS got through to interviews at LU, as he hadn't sounded very confident coming out. Suspect he'll be towards the bottom of the exam results given that, but really appreciate the mental boost it will give him going into Christmas - we aren't expecting to hear from any other schools until the New Year now, which feels like a looooooong wait!

tennissquare · 09/12/2025 15:23

Dontknowmuchanymore · 09/12/2025 15:04

I’m ok with missing out on it and it just being interview practice. Really not holding my breath as she’s usually quite spot on as to whether she’s done well on an exam or not. They could possibly be inviting more back as unaware of the impact of VAT on acceptance numbers. I know at our state primary the numbers moving onto private have plummeted…

LEH always interview a lot but don’t offer to all who attend the interview. You can search on old threads re how many LEH interview.

Dontknowmuchanymore · 09/12/2025 15:04

I’m ok with missing out on it and it just being interview practice. Really not holding my breath as she’s usually quite spot on as to whether she’s done well on an exam or not. They could possibly be inviting more back as unaware of the impact of VAT on acceptance numbers. I know at our state primary the numbers moving onto private have plummeted…

sevilleseville · 09/12/2025 15:03

Somewhereinlondon81 · 09/12/2025 14:33

Hi all, thought I would post the numbers sent in the LU email, since future readers may be interested in this year's stats:
"Over 1,200 children sat the entrance exam for Latymer Upper this year and we intend to interview 450 children for approximately 128 places."
That's actually fewer applicants than I'd guessed. (And I assume they over-offer by about 2x to fill places? So maybe a 50/50 shot once you're at interview?)

Just looked at the email when my DC sat it 6 years ago! Was 1300 then so that sounds about the right ballpark given VAT and no GCSEs!

Seasaltlady · 09/12/2025 14:55

Dontknowmuchanymore · 09/12/2025 14:47

Who knows! We’ve been invited to interview and my daughter said the problem solving exam went terribly!

Show quote history

DD also got through to interview for LEH! ….. as did quite a few of the girls in her friend group, so yes, it’s looking like the numbers are high!

myeyeshurttoomuch · 09/12/2025 14:53

Dontknowmuchanymore · 09/12/2025 14:47

Who knows! We’ve been invited to interview and my daughter said the problem solving exam went terribly!

Show quote history

same - my daughter missed out quite a few questions and thought it was quite difficult. So who knows. It would be nice to know the ratio 😜

Dontknowmuchanymore · 09/12/2025 14:47

myeyeshurttoomuch · 09/12/2025 14:27

I’m wondering for the LEH interview how many girls do they invite? The odds could be low if it’s over 3 days and multiple teachers. Thank you

Who knows! We’ve been invited to interview and my daughter said the problem solving exam went terribly!

Somewhereinlondon81 · 09/12/2025 14:33

Hi all, thought I would post the numbers sent in the LU email, since future readers may be interested in this year's stats:
"Over 1,200 children sat the entrance exam for Latymer Upper this year and we intend to interview 450 children for approximately 128 places."
That's actually fewer applicants than I'd guessed. (And I assume they over-offer by about 2x to fill places? So maybe a 50/50 shot once you're at interview?)

myeyeshurttoomuch · 09/12/2025 14:27

I’m wondering for the LEH interview how many girls do they invite? The odds could be low if it’s over 3 days and multiple teachers. Thank you

Original poster
firsttrax · 09/12/2025 14:14

Good luck to all waiting for LU and LEH emails, and congrats to those with good news!

OP posts:
SamPoodle123 · 09/12/2025 14:04

Youaremyfavourite · 09/12/2025 13:36

Thanks for the reassurance on timings - waiting for LU now and not very hopeful!

Crossing fingers for you! Last year we got our email from them just after 4pm....The wait can feel like forever.

Youaremyfavourite · 09/12/2025 13:36

Thanks for the reassurance on timings - waiting for LU now and not very hopeful!

SamPoodle123 · 09/12/2025 13:18

Good luck everyone. And remember, don't panic if you do not have an email for a while....it does not mean anything. Every year there is panic when people are getting yes emails and people start thinking yes emails are sent first....when it can be several hours difference between yes emails.

Hereweg0again · 09/12/2025 13:14

LEH interview invites also out :)

ABCFulham · 09/12/2025 13:06

SPGS stage 2 expected 12th I believe. Latymer invites are out. Good luck everyone!

W4mamabear · 09/12/2025 13:05

Latymer emails are coming out now :)

Gr8Lndn · 09/12/2025 10:32

Just wondering if anyone has heard anything from St.Pauls yet about stage 2? Know we are due to hear this week…

bibbadee · 07/12/2025 12:11

Is anyone here doing St George’s in Weybridge? I can’t find a thread for the 2026 Y7 intake Surrey private school entrances exams and just wondering how anyone else did?

W4mamabear · 06/12/2025 18:37

Seasaltlady · 06/12/2025 11:59

Does anyone know when Putney, LEH and Godolphin confirm invites to next stage interviews? Will it be before Christmas do you think?

Two years ago it was before the Xmas break for PHS and G&L although official comms says January. It’s an online test - not sure why the delay in giving us results!!

Csummer · 06/12/2025 18:11

How did everyone do on the KCS exam today? Seems quite a large application size (similar to Emanuel) this year, judged by the queue

Hereweg0again · 06/12/2025 17:41

@Seasaltlady We've definitely had some comms from Putney saying it would be early Jan but someone told me they thought we'd hear this week so fingers crossed it's sooner rather than later.

LEH say mid-December so wouldn't be surprised if it's the end of this week, just before the Christmas break.

EdgarAllenRaven · 06/12/2025 17:22

Lurkingbutinterested · 04/12/2025 19:23

My DD did the RH activity a few years ago. It was mainly team problem solving things. I seem to remember they had to work out how to cross from one side of the room (without falling in the ‘sea’) to another using a couple of mats and make a word using their bodies. She seemed to have fun. (and also applied to Surbiton and St Cats). Hope it goes well.

Show quote history

Thanks @Lurkingbutinterested

Seasaltlady · 06/12/2025 11:59

Does anyone know when Putney, LEH and Godolphin confirm invites to next stage interviews? Will it be before Christmas do you think?

Lurkingbutinterested · 04/12/2025 19:23

EdgarAllenRaven · 03/12/2025 14:54

Is anyone else trying for Radnor House? We've been successful in the first round and wondered if anyone has experience of what the "classroom activity" will be in January...?
We were unsuccessful with Kingston Grammar, other schools are Surbiton & St Catherine's

My DD did the RH activity a few years ago. It was mainly team problem solving things. I seem to remember they had to work out how to cross from one side of the room (without falling in the ‘sea’) to another using a couple of mats and make a word using their bodies. She seemed to have fun. (and also applied to Surbiton and St Cats). Hope it goes well.

Somewhereinlondon81 · 04/12/2025 09:21

Seasaltlady · 04/12/2025 08:32

That’s true but the volume of applications that the school gets is also much higher than others because of the 1 in 4 chance of getting a bursary. Many parents who would not think of private otherwise but have a bright child will take a chance on Latymer Upper because there is a 25% chance of them getting a bursary if they get accepted.

Show quote history

Exactly this! I commented on the queue not because there was any trouble getting in, but because it speaks to the sheer volume of applicants, which is certainly boosted locally by their extensive bursary programme. The queue was very well managed - no one in ours from a later slot and staff were checking everyone was in the right place.