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Original poster

Entrance Exams - am in purgatory with waiting!

193 replies

Mrshighandmighty · 09/01/2010 20:08

Hi there - My eldest son (yr 6) has just sat this week the Hampton, St. Benedicts and KGS entrance exams, with Latymer Upper and Emanuel next week. Does anyone have any experience regarding how long you have to wait to find out after the exam whether your child is going to be offered an interview?

Also - what is an interview like? What should we do to prepare him in the event that he might get an interview?

I have four boys altogether, and I know it will be so much easier next time around - but right now, I'm in a purgatory of ignorance!

Help anyone?

OP posts:
wolfbrother · 16/01/2010 15:42

Wise words from skyblue there

skybluewinking · 16/01/2010 14:38

I remember this time so well, am now nearly finished, one lot of Uni applications and A levels to go.
A crumb of comfort: Any school that my dcs did not get in to always, ALWAYS turned out to be for the best.
When my Dd buggered an A level and didn't get her Uni place she was devastated, but retook, went to a 'better' uni, and was very very happy.
Please do not think these results are the be all and end all

GOOD LUCK

Caoimhe · 16/01/2010 14:33

chatham, am in S London so doing different schools to all of you (or rather ds is!!!). You've probably never even heard of them .

stillfeel18inside · 16/01/2010 10:36

stokeytiger - a friend told me she rang kgs and they were way behind with everything because of the snow, so hang on in there!
Anyone heard from Hampton? Nothing in today's post for us today.

stokeytiger · 15/01/2010 21:04

congratulations on all the interviews.

we've still heard nothing, am hoping they deal with 10+ now all you 11+ers have heard.

Well done everyone... let the interview traumas begin... when will it all end??

chatham · 15/01/2010 18:33

caoimhe- which was his first choice school??
mrs high and mighty- heard really good things about benedicts- not sure what we will do- depends on what happens with the other schools

Caoimhe · 15/01/2010 17:21

Mrshighandmighty - congrats on the StB's interview for your ds. I've heard good things about it.

Ds has got an interview at his first choice school (astonishingly!). I was beginning to panic as everyone else I knew had already received their letters earlier in the week!!!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/01/2010 13:37

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stillfeel18inside · 15/01/2010 13:36

Mrshighandmighty - Congrats on St Benedicts and commiserations on KGS - they didn't give me the place where DS came but don't think it would have been particularly high so he'll need to sparkle at that interview! St B's is meant to be an excellent school - I considered it but bus journey is just too far for us. Best of luck to your DS.
(No, nothing from Hampton in today's post so maybe tomorrow).

Original poster
Mrshighandmighty · 15/01/2010 13:27

We got a interview letter from St. Benedicts today - and a resounding NO from KGS (ds came 448 out of 530 - yikes!) Nothing from Hampton yet ...

Nearly frightened the life out of the postman! Wrenched open the door so quickly, he nearly fell into the hall!!

Congrats stillfeel18inside - wonderful result - I know what you mean about thin letters; I knew KGS was a no the moment I felt the envelope ..

Chatham - how do you feel about St. Bs? I really like the school - DH hasn't seen it yet so still regards it as an also-ran compared with Hampton. Personally I'm just relieved we're in with a shout at a decent school and not thinking about doing all this again for the 13+.

Hasn't anyone heard from Hampton???

OP posts:
stillfeel18inside · 15/01/2010 12:59

Yes - still shaking with relief - letter (compliment slip actually so thought it was bad news at first) from KGS to say DS is being invited to interview. Nothing from Hampton today but not so worried now, although I know the interview is another hurdle so it's by no means in the bag yet with KGS. Thanks so much for all your support, everyone - couldn't have got through yesterday without you! Thanks for the interview tips RatherBeonThePiste - love the one about the pencil case, that must have made the interviewer giggle!

chatham · 15/01/2010 11:25

my child got their benedicts interview letter yesterday. anyone heard from hamptons or kgs

stokeytiger · 15/01/2010 10:53

mrshighandmighty and stillfeel18inside,
well done for ringing and thanks, I feel you've given me a bit of hope when I thought ds had definetly not got in.

There's still hope, fingers crossed for all of us, don't forget to post any news.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/01/2010 18:44

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Original poster
Mrshighandmighty · 14/01/2010 18:39

Its Hampton and St. Bens tonight and tomorrow night (2 waves I think). Ratherbeonthepiste has superior knowledge on the KGS angle, so I think we can rely on the news that girls letters will be very soon and boys letters will be next week ...

Cinema I think for ds on saturday - and a stiff g&t for Mum ...

OP posts:
chatham · 14/01/2010 17:57

some st bens interview letters posted out today

stillfeel18inside · 14/01/2010 16:31

Mrshighandmighty - we're indebted to you, you brave soul. So just to be clear - is it Hampton letters tonight and KGS tomorrow night?
Okay - need to plan a fun event for Sat afternoon in case it's all baaaad news...

Original poster
Mrshighandmighty · 14/01/2010 14:54

Oh ok - didn't take much did it?

Right - hot news ... brace yourself ...

Letters go out tonight and tomorrow night! We'll know by Saturday!

Oh god

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/01/2010 14:53

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stillfeel18inside · 14/01/2010 14:38

Let us know if you do call them, won't you? Actually I think that knowing either way would have to be preferable to this horrible waiting...my ears are constantly craned for the post to land on the mat. Go on, give them a ring!!

Original poster
Mrshighandmighty · 14/01/2010 12:48

Oh the comfort of group pain .... I feel consoled just reading all these posts ...

Still no post (Thursday) - I'm looking at the phone wondering if I should ring the admissions dept of Hampton/St.Bene/KGS and ask straight out when they are sending the letters. But on the other hand, the excrutiating wait is pleasurable in comparison to the crushing disappointment of knowing we haven't got the interview ...

Do let us all know if your ds/dds get the offers won't you? I definately will - you lot are therapy!

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 13/01/2010 11:59

My DD is doing exams this sat, tues and next sat (goodness knows why DH wanted her to do 3). The letters all state clearly when to expect to hear back, fortunately.

We're still in limbo till March though as DD is high on reserve list for residual place to very good grammar.

stillfeel18inside · 13/01/2010 11:52

stokeytiger - haven't heard from KGS yet either (11+) and just assumed it would take at least a week to get them marked, letters out etc. But have you heard that some have got their letters yet? (...new level of panic setting in now).

stokeytiger · 13/01/2010 10:56

many sympathies, my ds did 10+ for KGS last week, I'm praying the post is late because of the snow, but think I'm just deluding myself really.

City of London Boys next week

Oh the horror of it all!!

Good luck

controlfreakery · 13/01/2010 10:39

well my ds1 did it 2 years ago (now at cls in 2nd form...

what can i say....
you have to bid a fond farewell at the entrance (they take them off and sort them out) which felt a bit brusque so get your good byes in before you're outside!

it is a long day but ds1 enjoyed it.

be prepared fo a LOT of people (not like some grammar schools but there were >500 sitting the 11 entry 2 years ago.

good luck!