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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

I'm a weeny bit cross that there hasn't been a SW/W London Independent schools thread this yr.

999 replies

SonorousBip · 03/01/2015 21:46

Every blinking year there is one - and I read, and nod, and note. Sometimes they go on for months and pages. But this year, when I'm actually doing it - pah, not a sausage.

If anyone wants to do a last minute SPGS/Latymer/Godolphin/ KGS/LEH/WHS/PHS thread, please do! (disclaimer - I'm not doing all of those.). But views welcome. Because I've got several days to form my final views Smile

OP posts:
Beingfrank · 15/01/2015 12:10

Castles - call KGS they told my dh the bad news over the phone

EdithWeston · 15/01/2015 12:12

If you're actually offered a place, it's hard copy as there is all sorts of useful bumf, plus forms which need actual signatures.

I suspect that the 'no thanks' letters are just how they've always done things (and they might feel email is too abrupt).

I expect there are separate procedures for overseas candidates (who might have been interviewed in UK when visiting or if they came over for exam).

wheresthebeach · 15/01/2015 12:22

Hugs Beingfrank.

wheresthebeach · 15/01/2015 12:25

In our school some of the 'brightest' didn't get into Tiffin. Have reminded DD of this - everyone deals with disappointment. It's life.

Farewell - I share the sense of blame. But...it will stand them in good sted (?) for secondary wherever they go. The work isn't wasted.

Sad
citymum3 · 15/01/2015 12:34

Toomanyexams- I love your user name and also your wise words. It is an experience, for all the family not just DS, and no matter how terrible it all seems the discipline etc it took to get here will not be wasted in the future. I am a wreck inside but trying to stay calm on outside.......

castlesintheair · 15/01/2015 12:42

Sorry Beingfrank. What a difficult situation for you and them. Did they sit for other schools?

Well I have just emailed KGS so my waiting could be over fairly soon. Gulp gulp. Don't remember feeling like this with DS!

farewelltoarms · 15/01/2015 12:43

Beingfrank - gosh I cannot imagine how much more stressful this is with twins. I am gutted for your twin 2. I found it so hard stopping my boy from comparing himself to the friend (fortunately just the one) who did well in the grammars, and that must be so much worse with twins.

Good luck with it and I shall tell myself next time I'm drowning in neurosis how much trickier it could be.

GJHmum1 · 15/01/2015 12:47

Chillaxalready - did you get an email from KGS about the Art scholarship? My DS has applied for sport and art. We got a sport email yesterday so I know he passed the exam but nothing re. the Art assessment on Saturday - I wonder is it based on their portfolio or if they sit it regardless.

Beingfrank · 15/01/2015 12:47

Hi - thanks for the support. Yes it is hideous! The sad thing is there is hardly anything between them academically, really. Finding it really hard to be honest. We have other schools but only really one is (hopefully) a banker - others have horrendous odds.

CountessDracula · 15/01/2015 12:52

Don't worry about the weirdness of the results/rejections/acceptances

last year at DD's school there were all sorts of anomalies

One friend rejected by KGS, PHS, Godolphin but got Latymer
A couple rejected by KGS got Hampton/LEH
A couple of dead certs in my book rejected by Tiffin girls - ended up at LEH.

You just can't tell

DarkBlueEyes · 15/01/2015 13:53

CountessDracula I do hope and pray that my daughter will be an anomaly and will be offered a place against all odds!

Who will be at NHE tomorrow?

Elibean · 15/01/2015 14:31

Well, I stood in a nice holding pen with a white faced dd this afternoon, in a herd of smartly dressed shiny prep school kids (who all knew each other) waiting for her to be called in for her exam, and wondered if it was worth the stress....our state option is looking very attractive to me, I have to admit!

But I think she will love the interview part (which is mandatory). Nothing she likes better than talking to interested grown ups Wink

Elibean · 15/01/2015 14:33

Beingfrank, I too can't imagine how much harder this might be with twins - I hope your ds bounces back fast, and shrugs all that judgement off! If it makes them more resilient in the end, all well and good - but its not a pleasant process and, if my eyes don't deceive me, the odds have got harder again this year for all.

KingscoteStaff · 15/01/2015 16:26

mertonmama JAGS scholarship letter here too - which day are you?

Chillaxalready · 15/01/2015 17:42

GJH - received an email on Wednesday about the Art scholarship test at KGS. Don't think invitation is based on portfolio as closing date was yesterday and they said in the email it would be OK to just bring it in to the interview (which makes me wonder if we were over eager handing in DDs at 8.30am on Monday morning!!)
I'd check with the school about Art when you're there for sport. My DD can't wait until her Art exam and wonders why it is "only" a few hours long!!
Haven't heard about the music auditions yet, so crossing fingers still for that.

Good luck to all DCs, especially those having to deal with disappointing news. The whole school application process is a bit of a lottery. So many 'shoe-ins' who don't get expected results, and equally many surprising ones!

mertonmama · 15/01/2015 17:47

Kingscote - not until w/c 26 January so a bit of a respite. How about you?

castlesintheair · 15/01/2015 17:50

DD1 didn't get into KGS. She is so distraught. It is AWFUL. Her brother is meant to be going there. Not sure about it anymore. Good luck to everyone else.

amidaiwish · 15/01/2015 17:57

oh i am so sorry for those of you getting bad news, it is hideous Sad

DarkBlueEyes · 15/01/2015 18:20

Oh castles I am so sorry. I am dreading having to tell DD about the ones she missed out on. And there will be more than one I'm sure.

Chillaxalready · 15/01/2015 18:30

Flowers and Cake to all those who are feeling upset. May the right place at the right school turn up!

No one's DC need worry, with such supportive, caring and dedicated parents looking out for them.

Have heard countless stories about DC missing out on first choice (or any choice!) school at 11+ and going on to exactly what they wanted to do in life, and often flourishing academically in unexpected environments.

Elibean · 15/01/2015 18:57

Ghastly process.

Castles, I"m sorry - much harder when a sibling has a place I imagine. I gather the numbers alone are tougher this year, so I hope you can reassure dd that it was a little less hard when her brother applied...and/or that she bounces back well anyway.

dd's pal, who was applying to Kew House today with her, also didn't get into KGS. He won't mind too much, as he has set his heart on Emanuel, but I'll be gutted for him if he doesn't make that either.

As for my dd, she came out happy and bouncy (which means absolutely nothing in terms of the actual papers, but is all I care about at this moment in time) and said she'd made friends, and had 'the best snacks ever' Hmm Interview/presentation in ten days, then we'll see.

KingscoteStaff · 15/01/2015 19:00

Oh castles poor her. Was that the one she had to do in her french classroom with all the other kids chatting around her?

and Beingfrank I can't even imagine how you are managing twin results...

mertonmama · 15/01/2015 19:08

Castles - sending a big hug from South West London over the channel to you and hoping for some good news soon.

amidaiwish · 15/01/2015 19:10

Castles, do you think there's any chance appealing to them? that your ds got in, (i thought they had a sibling 'liking' policy) that your dd had to sit the test in a classroom full of other lessons going on. Do they know that? I would give it a go...

castlesintheair · 15/01/2015 19:10

Thanks for the kind words everyone. Yes KingscoteStaff - well remembered! It obviously didn't make much difference as far as they were concerned. She's had a call for an interview at WHS. I haven't the heart to tell her that they interview everyone as it has cheered her up so much. The timing has worked out well.