Kingston grammar school 10 plus

[ttcnumber3maybe]

Hi folks! Ds took 10+ at kgs on 4 jan and we haven't heard anything yet 2 weeks on... Just wondered if anyone else out there was in the same boat. I bit the bullet and called admissions last Friday and she said they hadn't started doing the calls yet for interviews as they were focusing on 11plus (although we had been advised would hear within 2 weeks).... Let me know if you hear anything! Ds also took the hampton 10plus but was his first ever exam and raced through it without checking... Was no suprise when we got a rejection letter (15 places out of 250 odd sitting the exam!!!)

[Pop1ns]

Congratulations! See you in 2015.

[Alana1975]

My DD got an offer for 10+ deferred.

[Pop1ns]

Good luck and at least you haven't been affected by the recent awful weather here!

[Alana1975]

thank you for letting me know. We live in Asia at the moment so I suspect it will take a while before the letter will reach it. It is good to know that they sent letters instead of calling. If it won't arrive next week, I will give them a call.

[Pop1ns]

Alana, thanks for congrats. We had the general interview, but teacher did not mention school report or exam. We received the offer in the post Friday afternoon, with the prospectus and agreement letter, albeit a very soggy letter with the envelope almost ripped off completely, which the postman had folded in two to get through the letter box. Maybe the weather did not help? Good luck and do let us know.

[Alana1975]

Pop1ns, congratulation on the offer. My DD had a general interview and I got the impression that it went well. The teacher who interviewed her told me that she has done very well as the exam and her school report was very good. However, I have not heard from KGS yet. Did they call you?

[Pop1ns]

DS was offered a place yesterday, so we are very relieved, after a long journey. Good luck to those who are going to take the 11 plus, I think it will be harder to get into these schools as our year is a bulge year, so do give KGS another shot for those who did not get in.

[Contessa28]

Countessdracula I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean they didn't have to wait 4 weeks to get the letters (rather than 2 weeks as promised) like the rest of us? The problem really is the lack of communication and a disregard for how best to manage the process for the children sitting the exam, who for many this will be the first experience. Kgs had an opportunity to showcase their school and procedures and IMO have been severely lacking. Other schools turn the process around quickly and they all do know in advance the number sitting. My particular issue is if it is a rejection, then it is in the children's interests to find out why ASAP -again as other schools in the area do - rather than receiving a blunt 'don't call us till 10 march' email. Equally if it is an interview then it is much fairer for all the letters to go out first and then subsequently to contact for the interview rather than there being a situation that some have been contacted for an interview whilst others hadn't even yet received a letter. It is this lack of communication which presents a school which cares less about the 'whole child' despite the rhetoric.

[CountessDracula]

6 or 7 children from dd's year at school went for KGS and none had the problems you describe - I think the 10+ marking/interview calls were affected by the large number of 11+ entries (largest ever so I heard) and the time it took to get through them.

[Chooknhook]

Firstly, I must be honest with you all and say that my DD sat for the 11+ at KGS this year, not the 10+ but I think we've all had a similar experience. My opinion of KGS has been severely dented by the whole exam process as well as the apparent lack of care when contacting interviewees. There was no rhyme or reason to the calls, it was a random, scattergun approach...
Friends of ours were called, to invite their DD to an interview a whole week before others (also DDs). Children were left feeling like failures as their friends got the callback and they were left languishing...
We did eventually get a call for an interview but think we'll probably take up an offer elsewhere even if we are offered a place - (results posted out next week).
I'm not sure why the process was so disorganised this year, maybe it's the same every year? The news that Mr. Dunlop is leaving at the same time as the current head is further reason to look again at other options.

[Contessa28]

Well said 1973 mum. Have to say my impression of them has plummeted. Hampton provide a much nicer letter and were super helpful in providing feedback straight away which helps dc work out where they can improve and even motivates. Getting an email before a letter basically saying you were unsuccessful but don't call us til 10 march - 2 months after the exam - hardly has the child's interests at heart!

[1973Mum]

Got an email yesterday - prior to the post - saying that if my son had been unsuccessful I could speak to them after 10th April.... Surely they could have waited a day or two to give us a chance to receive the letter!!!! Poor communication. Compared to other schools I think they have a lot to learn about marketing, communication and giving an impression at least that they care!!! Other schools turn round response to exams in a fraction of the time and made the process a much better experience. You're off my list Kingston Grammar!!! Shame as I was still thinking if it for my other kids... Not any more. Poor form.

[castlesintheair]

I haven't received my email rejection letter yet

[Contessa28]

Yes agree with all that. 11 plus is the biggie and this was a practice - have to keep perspective! Just a shame no feedback til 10 march ie 2 months after the exam! Good luck to everyone interviewing x

[Fruitbat05]

Yeah I agree and we did nothing extra for 10+, so it was always a punt, just feel sad for DS, doing the exam was a big deal for him. In better news I've a friend who's DS failed the 10+ badly (when they got feedback) and is now a very happy student in KGS. Heads down for next year!

[Alana1975]

countessa28, you have plenty of time to prepare for 11+. I think it was the right decision for all of us to take this exam to test the water before 11+.

[Contessa28]

No for ds :( gutted for him as he was quietly confident

[Fruitbat05]

Not as keen on the post mans visit today! At least it'll make the conversation about tutoring a little easier with DS, he'll understand the need.

Good luck to all doing interviews. Let us know how they go.

[Pop1ns]

Maybe it's alphabetical order?

[Pop1ns]

Thanks Contessa. DC is a DS.

[Contessa28]

Sorry sent too soon! Congrats also and good luck!

[Contessa28]

Boy or girl? Just wondered if like 11plus they do girls first?

[Pop1ns]

Just received a call that our DC has a general interview next week. Although very relieved, we still have another hurdle to overcome. This has been very trying and so drawn out. Good luck to you all, I know how it feels to be waiting for news whether its good or bad....

[Alana1975]

Thank you very much for the congratulations. ?t is a general interview.
I wish you all the best luck.

[Contessa28]

Well done alana1975 that is fantastic news! Congrats to your dd and you must be relieved! Is it a general or subject specific interview? Bet you can't wait to tell her the news after school!