SW/W London Independent Schools thread part two

[Chillaxalready]

There. I've done it and started one.
1001 messages and counting!

'And finally...speaking of anti-climax, when after all that toil and overthinking it, shouldn't there be a celebratory band playing when you arrive with your deposit? And senior leadership reception line clapping and whooping, high fives all round kind of thing? Rather than just a "great, I'll need to photocopy x"....'

I didn't quite get the band, but by inadvertently timing my arrival when all the reception desk staff were at a meeting, I was buzzed in by the Head. He escorted me to the Admissions office to check I'd brought all the right stuff. Lots of handshaking, thank yous and congratulations. Hugs would have been inappropriate, so I resisted the urge.

I agree it's a bit of an anti-climax...but maybe that's waiting list life for you.

I understand Ibstock, WHS and Latymer didn't go to waitlist.

Emanuel offered 2 off waitlist.

It was a tough year.

Yes please can we start a Yr 7 settling in thread!

It's not necessarily all over yet though. Tiffin will still be working on its waiting list this week which may have a knock on effect. Also, there can always be late movement when someone relocates abroad - my daughter got a w/l offer in June because of that.

BTW I know of someone who did get a w/l offer from WHS this year, so there was a smidgin of movement at least! I don't know about Latymer as we let our place on the reserve list go so didnt keep in touch.

bunny you heard correctly about WHS. In fact there were so many acceptances they wrote to us to say that there are going to be additional Year 7 classes this september!!! So much for the smallish cohort we were expecting!

Wow Chillax that must be a bit of a nightmare for them.

What a year - must be the worst year for getting offers from waitlist for some time.

Is next year as bad re: high birth rate? I hope not...for their sake.

The risk that the Emanuel list being closed by April is astonishing...

Morning all,

So pleased to see you are all still there! Been missing my daily catch up with you all and escapism from tedious work, so was pleased to be distract.

I'll be going through the awful process again next year with DC2 and just reading the updates on schools capping applicants is shocking! The support and advice offered by you all was priceless and will definitely be required for Sept when DC1 starts KGS and again in Oct and Dec when DC2 sits Tiffin and Ind schools. Already started shopping for my leopard print accessory :)

My younger dd is in Y3 and harder working, with a better memory, than her big sister - if just as opinionated - and on those grounds I refuse to even THINK about secondary school decisions for her at this stage

What I am wondering (being new to private schools and secondary schools alike) is when SW London indies tend to send out information for this year's Y7s? And are there usually meet/greet events for parents-to-be? Or is it just the kids who do that?

I feel like a total ignoramus and out of my comfort zone...

Another lurker here with a few years to go but got an update last week on how our Y6's at State primary did. They all did really well and seem to have ended up with the right schools for them. Lots of waiting list movements and chopping and changing but all came right in the end apparently so am not giving up hope yet! There were definitely movements on PHS wait lists and a couple got SPGS (which they declined...). Places at Latymer, LEH, WHS, Ibstock, KGS, Hampton, Emmanuel, PHS, Surbiton, Tiffin, Lady M etc so am vaguely hopeful that state educated DD will be OK (DS another matter but even more years to go for him...)

Elibean, Hampton lay on a Saturday morning in June for parents and new boys. I imagine other schools do something similar.

I have a mounting list of stupid questions I'd like other people to ask. I think that's the time and place for them.

I shall start one of those lists right now, Kuppen!

Cup, of course there is lots of hope for your dd - just be aware, though, that a state primary getting that many indie offers may well have lots of kids in it that are being tutored. Not necessarily, but worth checking just to have an accurate picture.

Lots of indie prep DCs also being tutored! Madness. The majority of her friends were tutored too.

Hi another, yes masses of tutoring at indie and at state - but generally for the state kids it's in exam technique as the indie exams look quite different to the SATs tests which the state primaries are preparing our kids for. For the prep kids there's allt of that on top of subject specific tutoring! Alas I am completely unconvinced the secondaries take into account state/prep. I suspect it's first past the post, then they spend more time on the individual applications....

Ladies I am in a state AGAIN
State choice has just been rated outstanding.
We declined it but I suspect she would zoom to top of list as comes under first criteria if I went on waiting list again. Anyone ever heard of someone doing this (and someone as indecisive as myself!!)

If you're this doubtful I would get on the waiting list. You don't want to be paying tens of thousands in fees for something you're unsure of.

Chockfinger- do not stress you have made a great choice with KGS.The reasons you made for your decision presumably still hold true.I am also of the opinion that each DC have their own destiny.I was in a similar position in having KGS and Tiffin and I think sometimes money does cloud the issue and it needs to be put to one side when considering what best fits your DC.

Oh Choc....agonizing feeling like the choice is back in your lap, as it were. FWIW I would ignore the OFSTED part of it all, as your gut and your dd's leanings are probably more reliable. If you can put the money part to one side, do - but realistically, I think money is bound to play a huge part in the decision for most people. Money, journey, your dd's gut feeling and yours...then don't look back. Its hard not to, I'm still wobbling about having declined the state place we were offered (though not so much, as dd very clear about her preference).

Good luck!

Choc ... Interested to know what you decided and if you are feeling any better about your dilemma now?

Just spotted this thread in active.

Further to my last, Emanuel website now reads: "We cap registrations for 11+ entry at 600. We have now reached this figure for 2016 entry and cannot accept any further registrations. However, we will operate a waiting list and any further applications must be made by post and will be placed on it."

Oh no not this thread again!

So a waiting list just to be able to apply??!!

I haven't got any questions to ask Hampton on June 20th, stupid or otherwise! Failure I guess?!

Are Emanuel mad? they are going to be blocking some really good candidates. Probably make it easier to get in though, lots of siblings etc and those in the know. Fewer outliers from state schools etc...

I think Emanuel take most of their joiners from state schools at 10+, so the closing of 11+ registrations won't make any difference.

It's only in the last two years that the list has closed before Oct/Nov (ish), so before that it was pretty much in line with closing dates anyhow.

They probably will have to find a way to do it differently, but at the moment they interview every candidate individually (and say they attach importance to it). Other schools often don't do this (group interviews/tasters, or only interviewing those who reach that year's pass mark) or just don't have as many candidates. Though applicant numbers are creeping up all round, so other current 'interview all' schools may need to review what they do too.

Did anyone apply to/choose Sutton High?

Hi All - and pops we have decided indeed to go with our and DDs gut which was the state option from the beginning- and in the end. Difficult decision but once we made it both DD and I feel really really good about it. And are excited! We both loved the state choice when we saw it but because DH and I had always assumed frankly (I know, silly) that we would go independent for secondary (we both did as did many of our friends, family etc), state choice is a relatively new school and therefore we didn't have the comfort of GCSEs it was never clear cut! You all have been so lovely and supportive - thanks Tedtess and Chillaxalready for all the PMs. What a process! Also have to say the relief financially for DH and I is immeasurable!
I think it was one of you who said the dramas were almost as good as Downton Abbey and I have to say we had mini series drama until the last minute when we, LA and school weren't sure if we could get our place but thank goodness we acted before the acceptance deadline.
Now, onto DC2 in spring of year 5??

Well done Choc,I am sure DD will do well.Best wishes.

Ooooh choc I am so happy for you? Forgot to ask you how did you go about getting your place back?