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

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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.

Pretty even, great choice to have!

@ fabricaabandonada I have heard this in previous years, the boys prefer SPJ over WUS 🤷🏻‍♀️

I would personally choose SPJ - it seems more balanced as far as sports and academics go! The school has much much better facilities - their rowing club, new science block , cafeteria , massive sports fields ! Yes I would go for SPJ

All - if choosing WUS, which areas do you think are decent distant enough for daily commute eithee by tube or bus, any pointers?

@TAFZMom personally I would not do anything longer than half an hour. But again this is just a personal preference.

@TAFZMom, it takes us 19 min on tube from Wimbledon, and total of 30 mins door to door to WUS. But another boy travels from Essex everyday, while others travel from Ilford, and about an hour each way. Personal preference, though would not go beyond 40 mins one way if we were to push it. Tried the electric car route a few times, though my boys prefer that extra half hour sleep, hence tube it is.
For the quality of education at the institute, people will sacrifice a significant part of the day on travel. That being said, it will have a knock on effect on life as a whole- for years to come. Think practicality.

@TAFZMom I personally think travel time for a child shouldn’t be more than 20 -30 min maximum door to door . Else it really has a knock on effect!

I agree that proximity to the school is v important. That said, I know that most of the boys that have had offers from KCS (and that live close to it) will opt to take a place at WUS and would do the commute. I know many families at WUS who have done this. I think both schools are excellent, I guess comes down to personal preference.

Thanks all for valuable insights. Tough job to find the right location for Wus I feel .

@RYFZ - Just out of interest, from which station is 19 min commute to the school, even we are looking for residential places which are of similar distance, hence the question. Thx.

S Wimbledon

@sunnysidewalk Thank you, that’s indeed our case, ds is quite set on SPJ, naturally, he doesn’t think much about the travel logistics being so impressed with the greens and the zip wire.

Thank you @Lazymum78. But don’t SPS and SPJ have separate facilities? I was under impression that only the cafeteria and the rugby fields are shared. SPJ has its own library and classrooms, which are quite similar to what WUS has to offer. SPS, on the other hand, has a new, US college campus look which beats everything in comparison. But the senior school won’t start until year 9, so all that is in a distant future, but daily commute isn’t

Thank you @Cloze23, we are quite overwhelmed!

@fabricaabandonada I had done the open day at the school last year and they had specifically mentioned that they would be starting refurbishment of the Junior School this year. It depends on your son’s personality- if he enjoys sports , wants to be part of a serious sporting team, wants to try out rowing !and all the amazing facilities and also from a future perspective the schools great record in getting kids into US universities .. I would definitely take it.

Hi all just wondering when wus results will be out and what the deadlines for all schools ?

@Lolakath19. WUS results already out yesterday

Did the King’s reserve list move for anyone?

Yes, a friend's son who was on the waiting list got offered a place today. Three children I know opted for SPJ instead.

Thanks. Looks like 8+ waiting list didn’t move.

Has anyone heard about any movement in waitlist for St. Paul's 7+ ? Thanks

Did anyone get an offer from Latymer Prep who will be accepting a place elsewhere? We have another week of stress on the waitlist!

LondonJJ, I know a family who will turn down their offer so just hang on and hope you're at or near top of WL.

Thank you njshore

Is the deadline for accepting other offers feb 5?
We are also on the waitlist for Latymer and a bit anxious! Is there a way to know where on the WL one is? Will they call as a place becomes available or wait until end of the week?

They do over offer as they know there is an overlap with the St Paul's / WUS / Bute candidates, so just because someone turns down their Latymer Prep offer doesn't mean the WL will move. Some years it barely moved at all. I imagine they kept the WL longer this year given the unpredictability. Just stay on the case. I do know someone who will turn down LP but it doesn't mean a space opens up as a result.