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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:
amidaiwish · 11/01/2015 14:22

And most of those with places from the 10+ will have gone back for the 11+ to be considered got scholarship and included in that. 650.

amidaiwish · 11/01/2015 14:42

Considered for scholarship (not got)

Pop1ns · 11/01/2015 16:08

DS got 10+ but did NOT enter him for 11+ as he is not scholarship material.He might not have even passed the 11+ exam.

castlesintheair · 11/01/2015 16:28

Thanks for posting that leavers' destinations again poisonwood, it is a reassuring reminder. I will say though that although that one is a non-selective school, I do think prep school children can benefit from the reports from their head. Our ex state primary head is notoriously anti private secondaries and the reports were always very flat, or in DS's case: awful Sad

I had also completely forgotten about the Arts Ed School. Does anyone know if it is worth applying late for a place like that or "in Year". DD would love it.

CountessDracula · 11/01/2015 17:03

Good luck to everyone!

KGS had 850 last year at 11+ (the admissions woman told me!)

Eastpoint · 11/01/2015 18:13

Arts Ed often has spaces come up as pupils decide their focus has changed. I know of pupils transferring in & out during different school years.

Dinocroc · 11/01/2015 19:35

I found these threads very useful last year as I'm on my own with this private school thing ( not necessarily a bad thing). Though sometimes a little scary Grin From my personal experience I'm not so convinced of the advantage of prep school heads. My DS got 4 offers last year from an anti private primary. I sent a copy of his school report in when requested. He wasn't top of the class and we weren't doing three papers a day either if that calms anyone's nerves.He is at KGS and very happy. I think they end up where they fit best in the end as his class seem to gel together.

DS2 just got a 10+ Hampton place despite them having to ring his class teacher during the day to check he was ? human as the school head doesn't cooperate. We want KGS 10+ though and did Hampton for the experience so waiting with bated breath for the phone to hopefully ring.....

Dinocroc · 11/01/2015 19:37

Oh yes and KGS was 650 for 11+ and 220 for 25 10+ places if that's helpful. I asked on the way out!. Looked like there were more boys there to me.....

Chillaxalready · 11/01/2015 20:03

So for girls at KGS that probably means there is around a 5-6:1 chance of a place (if there are approx 45 places and more boys than girls sit the exam.)

So possibly better odds than WHS tomorrow who apparently have around 500 turning up for less than 90 places, not to mention all their junior school girls who will get a place, so more like 50 places!! That's about a 10:1 chance by my calculations (but then again, I can barely do the 11+ maths so could be wrong!)

Think I will be glad when this whole process is over but wish we had chosen more than two schools to try for...bit late now!

Good luck to everyone's DCs and hope they end up in schools in which they are happy.

amidaiwish · 11/01/2015 20:17

Somewhere I remember the old KGS head saying they interview about half the candidates and give offers to 2/3 of those. So better odds than you think because of course they over offer as many won't accept the place. I'd really love to know how they manage the gender split.

castlesintheair · 12/01/2015 09:55

Thanks for the Arts Ed tip Eastpoint.

The Registrar at KGS told me they interview approx 2/3. It looks grim though if you starting breaking it down into figures.

Armed police swarming all over my DDs' sleepy primaire this morning. Along with the w a i t i n g my anxiety is sky high. Hope everyone else is surviving!

Elibean · 12/01/2015 11:06

Castles, was thinking of you (and various family members of mine) at the weekend...can just imagine anxiety levels, quite apart from the schools thing. Hugs and ongoing crossed fingers for your dd x

CountessDracula · 12/01/2015 11:31

OMG Castles why?

castlesintheair · 12/01/2015 12:03

Thanks Elibean Smile Sorry CountessD, I didn't wish to cause alarm: we are in France and I assume it's to do with Paris events last week. I was a bit shocked though!

Poisonwoodlife · 12/01/2015 12:04

castles that must be scary, thinking of you but hopefully it is shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted, and hoping you get the news you want.

DarkBlueEyes · 12/01/2015 14:04

Hi all. Poisons old thanks for that info from the old vicarage. I'm in Richmond and I totally agree with your comments. Apart from Waldegrave which is highly unlikely due to distance, I really don't fancy any of the state schools here. Hope the Turing school opens soon to ease the pressure!

DD sat St Catherine's on Saturday. Found out that 145 are sitting for 60 places. DD said the maths was easy and she did all but one question (miraculous, she hasn't finished anything yet and thought surbiton and LEH were really hard), but that the comprehension was tricky.

I'm really worried she won't be offered anything. I was up for two hours on the night before St Catherine's literally shitting myself on the loo, so clearly my subconscious is utterly terrified.

Putney on Thursday and Notting Hill Friday. Neither of which she is likely to get according to School .smart though they may have been trying to frighten me into paying for extra tutoring or another mock exam.

Sad
DarkBlueEyes · 12/01/2015 14:04

Errr. Poisonwood!!'

Chocfinger · 12/01/2015 14:11

Hi All
Sonorous thanks for starting the thread, I have read it with interest!

DD is just over half way through her exams, PHS and NHEHS to come. LEH is our no. 1 as DD loves her sport and I felt her personality would be a good fit but crossing fingers we will have a sound state option too as not sure what if any indies she will get into! Given DD is at state primary, and although she has had a lovely tutor this year, the enormous amount of prep and tutoring on top which her prep school friends have had will be difficult to compete with. Until G&L she was taking the exam process in her stride but still up at midnight on Thursday worrying about G&L....it sounded hard.

Anyone know the kinds of numbers sitting NHEHS? I heard they take a huge number of girls from their prep school so super competitive to get into the senior school....

Ealingwest does your DD's school also have a senior school? If so I would be so curious and grateful to know the name by PM as like your DD from the sounds of it, my DD informed me yesterday that she "LIVES for sport". I would be gutted for her if her secondary school didn't have fab provision and I got the impression certainly from open days that all the schools she is applying to- also Surbiton and KGS- have amazing girls sport. Like your DD my DD swims (a LOT) outside of school and plans to continue with that.

Can't wait until this is all done. Good luck to everyone with exams this week. Lots of hand holding darkblue eyes!!

mertonmama · 12/01/2015 14:12

Darkblue - are you sure Putney is on Thursday? We have it on Weds and all friends do. Is Thursday a back-up day for clashes?

What did people think about WHS this morning? DD says NVR was easier than VR - which is unusual for her as she did masses better in VR for Tiffin. Son ds like there were some unusual types of questions in the VR - at least types she'd not seen before.

nether · 12/01/2015 14:14

Warning for anyone sitting Alleyns tomorrow.

Bus strike!

(last week's was called off at 11th hour, though)

DarkBlueEyes · 12/01/2015 14:29

Omg MertonMama you are right it IS Wednesday!!! It's in my diary as Wednesday too. Just as well I'm going with a lovely friend who would have caught my mistake in time I am sure. Better tell her school! Eek. BlushBlushBlushBlush

ealingwestmum · 12/01/2015 14:30

Hi Chocfinger, PM'd you on some feedback.

KingscoteStaff · 12/01/2015 14:55

DD just messaged that WHS went okish - NVR fine, VR very 'different', which seems to be a theme from a lot of the schools. She said that at least half the VR questions were formats that she hadn't come across before in the Bond or GL books.

Poor choice of biscuits too, apparently...

DarkBlueEyes · 12/01/2015 14:59

I am hoping for more nice gingerbread at putney on Wednesday. WEDNESDAY!!! yes, Wednesday. Blush

mertonmama · 12/01/2015 15:12

I'm rather pleased that VR at JAGS and WHS has been a bit 'different'. If the girls have to think on their feet it is a bit more of a differentiator. DD gave me an example where you had to spot the odd one out of a series of English cities and a county. She got it right but hadn't done a question like it before.

DD reports choice of snack at WHS was a Rice Krispie square or a banana, she had both!

Dark eyes - can you imagine if you'd turned up at PHS on Thursday!