CLSG Prep

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DD is in y1 in a pre prep. We chose it because it is so lovely and so local to us that we thought it worth the trauma of having to find a new school at 7.
One of the options is City. I wondered if anyone with DDs there (or who sat this year)had any comments, in particular:-

1. how awful is the entrance process, particularly now they have accelerated it to November.

1. how is the new headmistress and do the girls there enjoy it (I have heard the odd story about some girls finding it all just a bit too much - and because DDs current school is so gentle and supportive, I am worried she might find it too much of a change).

Obviously we also need to work out if it is the right type of school for DD and whether she will be ok sitting the 7+, but wanted to get some thoughts on the school first.

Hi!
My daughter is in year 4 at CLSG. It is a really lovely school and DD is having a fantastic time. Because the preps are in one corridor and only one form entry, it feels like a small school. DD1 is at NLCS which is much bigger. Plus, they have access to all the facilities in the school. I am very, very pleased with it.
The entrance process is very gentle. Or, as gentle as it can be given that the paper is sat by 10x the number of girls they can admit. The 2nd stage was actually fun for my DD. They are in small groups for a maths lesson and do a craft activity.They are looking for keen little brains and team players. One child in DD's group wouldn't do the activity and she spent the whole time allowed convincing this kid to work with the group. They got nothing done at all but DD's initiative was what counted. All you will hear about it from your child is that she got hot chocolate and smartie biscuits- I promise!

Mrs. Rogers had big shoes to fill and she has done really well. Homework in the younger years has been reduced and the timetable has been altered. She is very sweet and brilliant at communication. I have just this morning exchanged emails with her over something really trivial and she does take time for it. The girls liked her from the first day she met them- last year, before she took over. It was sports day on the astroturf pitch and she was due to give out a prize. She was dressed very nicely with high heels. When the time came, she kicked them off and went across the pitch barefoot. Mrs. Rogers projects a relaxed and approachable air and the girls picked up on it from that moment.
My DD has not found it too much. She has SEN and has been really well supported. But, like all the schools in this bracket, it isn't for everyone.
One of the best things about CLSG is the number of trips and outings they go on. My 9 year old can navigate the City with frightening ease and is really street smart. I don't think she is ever bored! Beyond the academics, they have 'challenges' and 'clubs' during the day. Cricket, ornithology, netball, German, entrepreneurship,
politics, sewing, Mandarin, journalism.....
,

thanks for this - very encouraging. DId it take your DD a little while to adjust? Do there tend to be a lot of girls joining from the same schools or is it quite a spread?

I've got a pretty laid back kid. She came with 4 of her friends from pre-prep and there was a get-together the day before term started so she met the rest of the class. Plus there is a taster day in the summer term. They tend to come in bunches from 3 or 4 schools (maybe half the class) and the rest are from all over. Even if your DD is the only one, they do adjust quickly. The Lower 1 teacher is completely cuddly.

Honestly, getting in is the 1st hurdle.

My daughter started in Year 3 at City this year and I have been very impressed how quickly she has settled in. No one else from her class came with her but the group of girls is so lovely and I think the school does a good job of helping them feel comfortable from the start, like organising a picnic before start of term, having the first day be just the new girls and so on. The mums and dads are also really friendly and organised and there are lots of chances to get to know everyone.

My daughter found the exam much less stressful than I did! She really just saw it as an interesting and different thing to do for a day. Probably it depends a bit on the child and how they feel in new situations, and whether they really want to do the whole process.

I also agree that the new headmistress is really lovely!

And Mrs. Jones is sooooo nice! You do have a great group of parents in your year. Please let us know how your DD gets on!

I remember Ms. Rogers from her previous school (where we were) and she is indeed very nice. The previous school is quite gentle, especially in the younger years, so she comes from that background. She also has children of her her own. Having said that, she used to teach year 5 and had a major part in prepping children for the 11+ entrance exams so does know when and how to push.
Which other options are you considering?

Yes Mrs Jones is perfect for the first year, she comes across as so relaxed and approachable, yet she still seems to manage to keep all the girls organised and on track!

Just seen these latest messages, thanks for replies. All very reassuring.
DD is only in y1 so we are just starting to think about options.

Interested in feedback from anyone whose DD sat for City this year. How did it go with the test in November? I imagine it was great for those who got in (no work over Christmas hols), but difficult for those who did not and then had to start all over again for tests at other schools this month- potentially quite an extended period of prep.