7+ exams for Westminster, King's and St. Pauls

[Heist]

Hello Everyone, my son is writing 7+ exams for Westminster, St.Pauls and KCS this year.
My son is preparing for a while now and struggling in English a lot as of now.
Could someone please provide me more insights on the interview and activity tasks that the kids are asked to participate in and how to ace those bits? How could I prepare my son for these bits?
Thanks a lot.

Last year, my son had an offer from both KCS and SPJ. It was a nice problem to have but a really difficult one to decide between the two schools as they are very very similar. We chose KCS as we live in Wimbledon and thus, it was closer for us.
In short, it was only logistics which made us choose between the two schools as everything else looked same to us.

For similar schools, always go with logistics. Over the years ahead the amount of time and stress you save will be invaluable. We loved SPJ but being in North West London and the Hammersmith bridge being out, we opted for WUS. This means DS gets an extra 30 mins in bed and he's potentially home an hour earlier each day.

Thanks - this is very helpful. It feels the schools are a bit different in terms of sport and teaching - especially at the senior level?

Definitely logistics. If you really are exactly between the two then flip a coin.

There are probably some differences in the senior school that you already know about, but your son is too young to know if that will matter in the end. For example the new King’s pool is very nice. SPS has a boathouse on site. King’s has girls. SPS is in danger of having girls. SPS probably emphasizes rugby more. Kings offers CCF.

How much will your future 15 year old care about any of that? Shrug.

Had the same dilemma and went for SPS in the end. My son absolutely loves it!!!

DS loves SPJ but logistics are a bit trickier. Do any of you use the school coaches? If so would you recommend? Thanks!

@morecaffeinepls We'll go with SPJ because I believe it's the better school. Their exit results are the incredible, alumni network is stronger, even their assessment was nonorthodox. But because of logistics we are definitely trying for WUS next year. I believe it's in the same league as SPJ- teaching style, opportunities, alumni, exit results wise

Any idea if all kids' 7+ second round interviews are on 18th itself or did they schedule any for future dates? When would the results be announced?

Isn't SPS in the top league, and KCS in the league slightly below? I always thought that there a "premier league" of SPS, SPS Girls and Westminster, and then the "first league" of KCS, Latymer Upper and others? For me, SPS would be a no brainer :)
Oh, and these rumour of the director changing for KCS...

SPJ is considered a bit higher in the unofficial rankings. It is definitely better known.

Also, SPJ/SPS has a fabulous and very helpful alumni network, clearly not an immediate benefit, but something to consider in the long run.

@TAFZMom I think there will be further interviews tomorrow

If you have access to The Sunday Times - Parent Power online, you'll be able to see the rankings for each school. Due to the pandemic, the results only go to 2019. You can look at data for each school from 2010 to 2019. Hope that helps.

Did anyone sit Wetherby today? How was the exam?

Hello parents.
Sorry for hijacking your conversation.
I am preparing my dc for 2022 intake.

Could you share your tutor contact details.
Also few words on what to look out for in a good tutor other than past students reco.
This is all new for us but at least hope to start now so that we can make progress.

If you check this
London A-Level Ranking
you will see there is such a marginal difference in results between St Paul's and KCS, it would be mad to drive from Wimbledon to Barnes every day for some perceived advantage (or vice versa). If based on your visits you really loved one vs the other, do it, but if there is no perceivable difference, that tiny extra bit of prestige really shouldn't matter.

If you dig deeper, beyond the top line A*/A % number, you can see quite a bit of a difference in leavers destinations and the overall academics.
I think SPS is a stronger school, I would not call the difference marginal.

What you have to ask yourself is what would you regret more: not going for it or going for it and not seeing a difference?

morecaffeinepls my ds is in St Paul and I cannot praise this school enough. Kings will be having a new head ( or so they say) and new head is always a gamble-there are plenty of schools out there that lost their top ranking because of head teacher change. Good luck with your choice!

@morecaffeinepls

What do those with dual offers from spj and kcs prefer if logistics are not a factor? Lots to like about both so it is a hard choice for our DS. We are based in Putney.

I would say the logistics is the key decision factor in your case, especially if both parents are working.

Definitely SPS. Even though my son couldn’t get through it’s an aspirational school ! All the top boys in my DS son are headed there .. those who are there are thriving !

Is WUS sending emails or letters out today?

@FriendlyMom that’s what they suggested ....

If choosing between SPJ and WUS, which one would you recommend?
WUS is much closer but ds really prefers SPJ.

Choosing SPJ if you live in Putney is a no brainer. Very easy logistics either along the tow-path from Putney to Hammersmith Bridge (10 minutes by bike). DS loved the bike ride. Or completely clear run in the car as no one is going over Hammersmith Bridge for the next few years at least. Lots of boys from Putney area so great for playdates and after school clubs. SPJ actually interviewed the boys this year unlike KCS so you know you will have a good balance and mix of boys

We don’t and my assumption is right. School is dishonest and has no respect towards all the parents and students.

When is the acceptance deadline for WUS offers?