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Secondary education

RGS Guildford

158 replies

Slideraft · 17/01/2014 09:01

Has anybody had a second interview letter yet?

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nibs777 · 04/03/2014 17:37

alpha - I sent you a pm....

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Longsuffering2 · 04/03/2014 17:33

......so for 13+ entry...is that it now for the next 2.5 years? Feels like an anti-climax now after all the build up and the wait on results....don't get me wrong, v.happy but, you know fanfare or champagne reception would be nice!

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alpha2014 · 04/03/2014 15:50

Thank you, nibs777. Will try to gather my courage to call...

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nibs777 · 04/03/2014 15:44

Alpha....rather than speculating, why don't you call RGS Admissions to see if they would be open to more supporting info. from your head ....I don't know how RGS works but some senior schools are open to that kind of discussion on waiting list candidates. There should be no big mystique on these things and they should be able to tell you if it is worth doing that.

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Longsuffering2 · 04/03/2014 13:20

Sorry Alpha....sounds like the waitlist process is a little 'off-piste'...I guess the only way with your approach would be to try. Worst that could happen is they set you straight and spell out what's to be done. Good luck!

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alpha2014 · 04/03/2014 11:41

Thank you, nibs777

Would anybody have more specific information on this school, please?

Should the HM really volunteer the information, or wait for the rgs to request it? and would the additional feedback really matter at this point?

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nibs777 · 02/03/2014 14:11

Certain schools do have a willingness to talk to a head about border line cases or waiting list applicants...especially for 13+ applicants who have sat a pre-test...this is because there is a significant time gap between taking the exam and perhaps in some cases, coming off the waiting list ...I wouldn't call it unfair lobbying as much as the head will be doing what a good head should do ..that is periodically updating the next senior school on any significant achievements (music,drama,sports or academic) in the meanwhile to show how a child has developed over time since they sat the test.

In 11+ cases there may be borderline candidates, where other factors /achievements may weigh in and further input may be given by a head to support his/her initial report.

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alpha2014 · 02/03/2014 09:54

Congratulations to everyone accepted! And good luck to everyone!

Would anyone please know how the wait list goes? I understand that there is ranking on the list and also the school has over offered.

How did it go on previous years? The school would not offer statistics.

Also, is it really a ranked list, or more a pool of candidates? The school did say there is ranking. On other posts I have seen that at other schools the HMs of the current schools (or even the children on the wait list themselves!!) lobby for a place. Is this really an appropriate practice?

Thank you!

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Longsuffering2 · 21/02/2014 11:44

Good luck to you also Surreygoldfish and with CE, which I am sure your DS will do just fine. On the CE requirement, the current RGS mums also said school took a reasonably pragmatic approach....if any papers are seriously below par then you are asked to have another crack at it and then that's normally fine....so stress levels shouldn't go through the roof over this. I have been advised however, that scholarship papers v hard work for small chance of success for the majority. CE will be superb prep for GCSE.

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surreygoldfish · 20/02/2014 23:39

Longsuffering- our 13+ DS isn't there yet (joy of CE next year still to go- good to hear that they integrate well. (DS1 opted to go at 11+ but DS2 at 13+.) I completely agree with your last comments - the hierarchy re sports etc doesn't seem to exist. Sport is there for all who want to get involved but it doesn't define the school. DS1 has found it very inclusive. What really comes through is the relationship between teachers and the boys. DS1 is pretty laid back and this hasn't changed so far - he needs to be somewhere where the expectations are high so the environment works well without bring overly pressured.
DS2 is not as quirky (would rather be outside kicking a ball) - and I have worried whether it would be such a good fit for him but I'm comfortable that he'll find his own peer group - there's a good enough mix of 'bright but normal' boys.

Good luck making your decisions.

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tealady · 20/02/2014 22:22

Yes - I totally agree that there is a good mix of sporty, geeky, cool types and they can all find their own niche at RGS. I'm not sure if I can easily put this into words but the school itself has a nice 'character' and that somehow rubs off on the boys.

I was worried it would be pushy and overly concerned with results and that my son would be put under too much pressure. Those worries were completely unfounded. They get wonderful results because the teaching/teachers are so good. The homework is fair and reasonable (and much less than my dd gets).

Communication with parents is great, careers and further education advice brilliant. Its a great school!

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Longsuffering2 · 20/02/2014 20:48

Thanks for that reassurance Tealady. Have been doing my 'due diligence' - spoken to 3 RGS mums. Am told that RGS has a real mixed bag of boys - some mega sporty, some not remotely sporty, some geeky, some IT focused but within the classes there is a genuine acceptance of one another and no hierarchy based upon sportiness v non-sportiness. The school seems to have a high achieving but also understated culture, which I have to say, I think sounds lovely. Thought I'd share this info, I hope it rings true with what others have also heard........

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tealady · 20/02/2014 17:22

Just to reassure you on the 13+ entry longsuffering, my ds joined at 13 and all the 13+ boys are placed in two tutor groups, so they are all newbies together. Then in 4th form the tutor groups are mixed up again. There is no problem with integration. It is a brilliant school and the pastoral care is as good as the academic side. My ds is now a sixth former and I am so happy we made the choice to go to RGS. The teaching is truely excellent and there are plenty of other things on offer as well, eg drama, music, art, sport.

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Ozboz · 20/02/2014 13:22

Nodumbblonde - I understand where you are coming from. I think he will do best where he is happiest. For our parts we are not looking at boarding schools and so can compensate with out of school clubs etc. still I don't want him feeling like a fish out of water.

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nodumbblonde · 19/02/2014 21:54

Of course RGS excels at sport as it does at so many things but DS has got used to daily sport at his prep and it's a big priority for him. His favourite school is boarding as well as day so would keep up the daily sport and make him v happy. Am aware that I am not comparing like with like, will come down to DS's happiness in the end I think - as it should !

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barbour · 19/02/2014 21:36

just curious...nodumbblonde why you say that...is it because you feel it's not sporty enough?

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nodumbblonde · 19/02/2014 21:33

We are not quirky. We are sporty and quite straight forward. Would love DS to go to the RGS but the more I hear, the more I think that this is not the school for him. So hard....

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Longsuffering2 · 18/02/2014 14:57

Thanks Surreygoldfish - we are definitely in the quirky camp, so that sounds good! Hope you don't mind me asking if you have an opinion on 13 year olds being accepted into friendship groups.....? I just worry with DS coming in at 13 v 11 if the main groups of friends are established and therefore unwilling to welcome newcomers. I know that's not a thing to consider but obvs just want DS to settle and be happy.

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surreygoldfish · 16/02/2014 19:26

Well done to all your DS who were successful - we had this 2 years in a row which was pretty stressful.
Long suffering- I don't think they do anything formal in that way but I'm sure you could ask. We have DS1 in year 2 and DS2 deferred so will join at 13+. I understand your dilemma, It suits DS1 perfectly - he's a bit quirky - although has also really enjoyed all the sport and the independence of being at senior school. DS2 is more of a 'normal' boy and loves his sport. However I'm comfortable that there are plenty of boys like him there too and there's plenty of sport for those that want to do it. Good luck with the decision making!

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Longsuffering2 · 16/02/2014 14:17

Would anyone know if there's going to be a chance to get around the school after half term break? We are umming and arring and chance to revisit RGS and others would be good....

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barbour · 15/02/2014 06:28

what a great attitude footballteacher

longsuffering - isn't it about time you had a change of name now you have an offer :)

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Longsuffering2 · 14/02/2014 20:06

Football teacher - i do wish I had a good comp in my village 'cos if I did that's where my 2 would be going. No question. But we don't. )-: your DS will be triumphant!!

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Footballteacher · 14/02/2014 19:03

We have a good comp in our village so no complaints ! I don't agree with only posting success - after all, we were all in it together and I'm pleased for the rest of you - it was certainly an arduous process !

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htpt11 · 14/02/2014 16:11

Thank you for your kind support long suffering, It was such a long and painful process and so glad that it's one or the other way over for all of us.

Congratulations to those who passed today and really really sorry for footballteacher, not everyone would share it.. agree.

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Longsuffering2 · 14/02/2014 15:18

Yikes...we got an offer. Very surprised and shell shocked. Footballteacher - genuinely sorry no offer - have faith it will work out elsewhere. Barbour, Htpt and Nodumb - many many congrats! Not a no brainer for us - like Reeds ALOT and DS happiness is a major priority. Nice problem to have I guess. Thinking time.

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