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Secondary education

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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:
cakeisalwaystheanswer · 20/01/2015 12:35

Yes the link system has been scratched. The Kingston Academy open it's doors in September as should the Turing School in Twickenham. SRR has only been open for a couple of years and is now established as a favoured choice, people know this and will I think snap up places at the new schools. A lot of people only sit an Indy as a backup in case they don't get their state school choice. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of years.
I do think you have been treated poorly Castles, but it's a sellers market at the moment. It will all change once the state school offers are out and people start turning down those Indy places.

mondaygirl · 20/01/2015 12:58

Quick question on the KGS 11+ interviews. My son has an english interview there on Saturday. Any ideas on the likelihood of a subject interview turning into an offer?

tempo · 20/01/2015 13:17

highly recommend Emanuel. For the creative dc there is a huge amount on offer (great drama, music & art, good DT too). For the academic if you want your DC stretched there is the possibility there - it would seem that it's reputation for being bottom of the pile academically is changing.

Loads of lovely kids, my ds is very happy & doing well. Sport is excellent. Very good all round school that fortunately doesn't seem to have succumbed to the hot-house approach.

They cap registrations for admissions, so the earlier you visit/register the better....

Dinocroc · 20/01/2015 13:24

Buggy bored we haven't heard back yet re KGS 10+ either but up thread it seems a long delay is expected. Did you hear anything yet? Incidentally I think KGS is a great school, really friendly ethos and my son is very happy there. In such a competitive world I think it is wisest to cast your school net wide. To defend the school I don't think it's' treating people poorly' to set a competitive exam and select the top performers. It's the way of the world and they don't hide the fact that that is what these exams do. It's partly what you pay for right? Wink

Dinocroc · 20/01/2015 13:31

Oh and the interviews . AFAIK a general interview is an offer usually but someone I know with a subject based interview also got an offer. I think a waiting list place is very likely if not and they often end in a place once schools have shuffled around. Maybe chat through her English exam? I'd I were an interviewer I would concentrate on the bits done less well there. Best of luck!

cakeisalwaystheanswer · 20/01/2015 13:42

I don't blame the school which is no doubt implementing it's entrance procedures to the letter, I blame the individual who answers that phone and I think they have treated castles poorly. If they had told her straight 100% competitive 11+ entry no allowances she would have gone into this with her eyes open, sat for more schools or maybe none at all. I never expected anything else, I think all competitive entry schools operate by pretty similar rules.

I don't have any problem at all with the competitive entry system but it isn't what I pay for.

Needmoresleep · 20/01/2015 13:51

I suspect they may have been caught off-guard by the volume of applications. Castles probably needs to accept, as I am sure she is doing, that a place is unlikely. That said by putting it all in a constructive email, she can feel she did everything possible, and maybe even keep the door open a tad.

buggybored · 20/01/2015 13:54

Thanks Dinocroc - nope, no call yet (said checking mobile - again...) but given DC had raging temp develop the afternoon of the exam I suspect no call will be forthcoming. Can't wait for next year...

Twickersm0m · 20/01/2015 13:57

Dear friends,

My DS has just been invited to an English based interview at KGS, please, please could someone advise on what sort of questions he may get asked or what tasks are involved?

Also I've checked passed thread and not find if children get rejected after an interview or just get put on waiting list?

This whole process has been so painful, so close yet so far :@{

Cloe489 · 20/01/2015 14:15

MaeMobley and emptycoffeepot, my son also sat the KCS 11+ on Saturday. Like you I am not holding out too much hope due to such a small intake at 11+. They asked him to write down which other schools he was applying for and to put down his first choice......and he did not put down KCS!! Uh oh! That might affect as negatively as well! Do either of you know when we will hear if they are invited to come back for an interview? When are they sending out the "thanks but no thanks letters"? Good luck to your DSs!!

Dinocroc · 20/01/2015 14:17

That's bad luck buggybored , that buildup to then be ill on the day. Well all may not yet be lost but there is always next year which looks like fun reading this thread right!!!Grin .

castlesintheair · 20/01/2015 14:26

Thank you cake and needmoresleep, and everyone else who has been so sympathetic towards our situation and given me so much advice. It's very difficult be stuck out in the middle of nowhere so this thread has been invaluable. Yes needmoresleep we fully accept there is no place at KGS for my DD but will fire off an email just in case! Good luck to everyone - not long to wait now.

amidaiwish · 20/01/2015 14:51

Based on the number of "nos" by KGS of fairly decent candidates, getting an interview at all is a good achievement. I've heard an offer pretty much follows a 'general' interview. A subject interview is to follow up an area of weakness so for English talk about books read and anything not understood on the exam (if they can remember specifically). If interview seems to go ok I would expect offer or wait list. Based on the huge numbers applying this year and the new state schools opening I bet we have record movement through the lists. It'll be interesting to watch though v nerve wrecking for those waiting. Good luck!!

MaeMobley · 20/01/2015 16:08

Cloe489 & emptycoffeepot no idea re dates. I will try & see if there was a similar thread last year.

It sounds like none of our DS put KCS as their first choice. The headmaster did say that 11+ was their most "volatile" group in terms of making offers & getting them turned down.

Cloe489 · 20/01/2015 16:41

Oh really MaeMobley? Interesting. I wonder why 11+ the most volatile for them? I think (not 100% sure) that I might have read they send out "no letters" at the end of this week but not sure when they actually call for interviews.

castlesintheair · 20/01/2015 16:53

iirc, KCS sent out offers and rejection letters at the same time 2 years ago, which was the official results day, whenever that is.

Cloe489 · 20/01/2015 17:05

castleintheair, do you know about interviews though? Do they call or send a letter? And how soon after the exam? thanks!

wheresthebeach · 20/01/2015 17:09

Castles - can't remember if anyone has mentioned St Catherine's in Twickenham. Might be worth a call.

castlesintheair · 20/01/2015 17:19

Clo489, 2 years ago they phoned for interview (this may have changed as many now email) and I remember it being the longest wait out of all the schools DS sat. Sorry, it's agony I know but good luck!

wheresthebeach, yes thanks, I might email St C's and see if we can visit when we are over.

minoula · 20/01/2015 17:22

Hi if the exam for KCS was last Sat, they will be doing scholarship interviews now, if its anything like last year. They don't really "over interview" too much and there are only about 10 places! It seems like they just go from the top exam scorers down until they have 10 they are happy with interview-wise (and maybe a few extra as a contingency /waiting list). So you should have heard by next Fri or so if being called for interview. Do ring and ask about their timescales though, so at least you're not waiting for the phone uneccessarily. If no interview, you are not contacted at all until mid Feb. Lovely!

Cloe489 · 20/01/2015 18:57

Got quite a shock...just got a call about an hour ago from KCS for DS to come in for an interview this Thursday! So wait was not too long after all! Phew. Not sure if my stress levels could have handled a long long wait.

DarkBlueEyes · 20/01/2015 21:11

Castles it's definitely worth having a look at St Catherine's - well at least in my opinion. It's right on the top of our list, loved the school and the head. I have no idea about movement there but it can't hurt to ask. xx

Poisonwoodlife · 20/01/2015 21:24

cake The problem on the state side in LBRUT is that

a. last years the numbers applying to state for the first time exceeded the number of places. For political reasons they increased the overoffering of places to avoid having parents without the offer of a school place and as a result the waiting lists did not move as quickly as normal. This years cohort has another 150 pupils approx. LBRUT are anticipating that even if Turing comes on stream they will need bulge classes. 16 extra places are already in place at Waldegrave. If Turing does not come on stream, a possibility as LBRUT are considering three sites all with significant planning problems and they have to convince the Dof E they will deliver once the school outgrows it's temporary accommodation, then they will need more extra places which may not be in popular schools. If Turing does come on stream anecdotally this will mean that pupils that would have been deterred into private schools will accept places (very inspiring Head and parent led governing body) which will somewhat offset it's ability to provide places for the extra demand arising from the bigger cohort so it may be that LBRUT will be laying bulge classes on anyway.

b. St RR are already not providing places that meet the extra demand coming out of Community Primaries. It was almost oversubscribed by Catholic pupils (who previously would have gone to Catholic Schools outside the Borough), last year, and was fully subscribed by those meeting Faith criteria.

c. The Kingston School is new and close to Greycourt which now is Outstanding. I agree in coming years hopefully it will free up places there but this year? Not as much parental buzz around it as Turing though I am sure it will be a success

I think in all likelihood waiting lists will be more volatile this year, if Turing does come on stream some applicants will have two places, but I also think demand for private school places is unlikely to be dented and may increase. Venture Capitalists do not invest in schools they are not fairly sure of the demand for......

It's all over on the local thread where you can find even more forensic analysis of LBRUTS scandalously poor planning to meet the demand the school place issue plus links to all the relevant documents

wheresthebeach · 20/01/2015 21:34

Do people think RPA will be heavily over subscribed this year?

Chocfinger · 20/01/2015 22:37

I wouldn't be surprised if it was. For faith reasons we ended up putting SRR before RPA but I thought RPA was really impressive and there is definitely a buzz about it. I will bring my 2nd child to see it as she doesn't want a faith school and is very strong in English and I felt there were some wonderful opportunities there.

On another note anyone know what an 'English interview' at KGS involves? DD1 apparently didn't do as we'll on English as maths. Really don't want to freak her out at though of an English interview!