SW/W London Independent Schools thread part two

[Chillaxalready]

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

It was only because I was well before the deadline for acceptance (16th). Otherwise it would have been going on the waiting list!

So glad its settled and all are happy Choc.

Well done Choc, glad you and dd both happy!

hello again all
just wondering how your dcs are feeling about the yr6 SATS.
dd is very calm about it. most of her class are totally stressed.
i think it's because she has been through the 10+ then the 11+ process and came out the other side. for most of the other kids the SATS is the first proper test they've done. Are you finding the same or is DD just not that bothered?!

also i missed KGS new parents eve last night, dh went. how was it?

re the SATS... well I'm totally not bothered about them as it doesnt matter at all. DS will be doing all the Level 6 papers also. He's taken my lead and is completely not fussed about them. School has done some extra work and he gets a little extra homework now but just does it when he gets it.

So somewhere between completely laid back about it and not bothered at all!!

how does he compare to the rest of his class though?
stress levels seem very high in ours, parents complaining to the school, DD unfazed. just trying to work out why she's not so affected - i don't think the pressure is coming from the parents. the teachers are definitely quite stressed though.

Sorry I have no idea! Quite out of the loop at school really as he goes to and from school himself and I've not really spoken to anyone there for a while. I'll ask him later! He did make a comment a while ago that the teacher seemed to be always reminding them to work hard as SATs coming up etc.

Pretty much the same scenario as Waiting on this one, DD not phased at all, though some parents fall into 2 camps, really stressing or not bothered and cross that the school is still doing them. It's the school that needs it for their marketing pitch and pecking in the league tables, no further value to DDs' due to it being an indie junior (consortium school).

I think going through the 10/11+ has toughened a lot of children up vs those who have never sat an exam before in a formal setting, other than their own through-11+ exam if at an indie that makes it mandatory, which results in different levels of parental angst.

I am not a teacher but assume results must be performance linked also, hence the heightened focus?

Not in the least bit bothered. After all the 11+ testing and interviews were done I'd forgotten about the SATs and told him he could relax for the next 6 months. Without wanting to sound too depressing, I pointed out that it will probably be the least stressful time he'll have for the next ten years. We've allowed him a little more time to play on computers, lounge around and do whatever 10 year-olds do.

When we were reminded about the SATs at the parents evening we told our son to do his best but not to worry about them. It would be nice to get level 6s, and he's perfectly capable of it, but we're not going to go overboard with extra preparation at home.

SATS are a waste of time and I bitterly resent the amount of otherwise worthwhile learning they could be doing instead of preparing for these ridiculous tests!!

Hi All, nice to hear from you again! DD not too worried but definitely working hard and pleased if she gets a level 6 on the mocks, I am more nervous for the teachers as they have put so much hard work in, I do hope the children do well for their sake!
Teddtess, little wobble reading about KGS parents night. Gulp. Went to see an indie today with DC2 and DD1 completely relaxed - I'm going to my favourite school but not sure it would be right for DC2 type of thing. Long May that last if they go down different routes - they are very very different children

DD pretty relaxed about it but others aren't. Those that feel it will determine, or impact , what 'set' they are in for secondary are under much more pressure.

DD looking forward to all the art and games they will do for the rest of the day following the test.

Really do think 11+ prepped them for all this so it's less of a big deal.

So excited to see this thread active again...

Got an offer today from WHS !!!! soooooooo pleased!!! out of the blue!!! SUPER SUPER HAPPY!!!

Fantastic news zubi007, well done to your daughter and enjoy celebrating!

Thank you!!! ealingwestmum!!!

Yes, brilliant news! So so lovely to get esp if out of the blue! Goes to show...I heard WHS had over offered - or rather were over accepted so never went to WL. Goodness knows how that rumour developed.

If we aren't so lucky, does one ever get a final goodbye from a schools where your DC is waitlisted I wonder? Do they ever write and say we have closed list and wish your child all the best, type of thing?

Hope all you lovely posters are doing well and have recovered - what a year!

Does anyone know if Latymer went to wait list?

That could still be true chocfinger - my dd got an out of the blue waiting list offer in early June from a school that had over offered and not gone to the waiting list. They put in an extra form, then someone's family relocated abroad at short notice hence a place came up.

WHS told me directly that they will not be going to WL, which is why I was so surprised to get the call.. they said they had a bit of movement with people going abroad...
I think what happened is that b/c they over offered they opened 5 classes this year, 20 in each class.. and given that they might have had a few drops they decided to go to the WL
Whatever it was - I am HAPPY

Ilovelabradors my understanding from a friend who applied to both is that this year Latymer only took a couple of people from the waiting list and G&L didn't take anyone (and aren't planning to) as they had far too many acceptances. I was a bit alarmed as am planning to apply to G&L for DD but it seems it is very desirable these days.

I am fascinated by the whole numbers thing. It must be so hard for the schools to get the offer numbers right so they don't end up having to put an extra class. My DC is going to Latymer but unfortunately friends on the waiting list didn't get the call so I had wondered if they'd over offered.

If you are still interested, you should talk to the Registrar. There are usually one or two very late places and the Registrar will want them filled, so may prefer people who are likely to accept.

This is the time when ex-pats are being told that they are being transferred in September. Then you can get a cascade. Someone may have dropped out of SPGS, causing someone to drop out of G&L who in turn has freed up a place for Zubi's daughter at WHS. Zubi's DD will in turn have freed up a place elsewhere. Someone is making some money out of lost deposits, though hopefully they go into bursary funds. Movement on Grammar schools and other sought after state schools will also free up places in Privates.

Great though for Zubi's daughter and congratulations. If you get a late offer, and get over the shock fast enough, it is worth asking if there can be any help with the lost deposit. They may well have a spare sports or music exhibition, origionally offered to someone who did not accept the place.

That's a great idea Needmoresleep, should I just ask the registrar when I tell them I am no longer taking the place?

Sorry I don't understand. My thinking was that if you are offered a place which you plan to accpet you ask that school if there is any scope for help.

We knew one child who took a place in August, presumably after she had bought uniform elsewhere, who also achieved an art exhibition. I don't know if the two were linked, but an empty seat in a classroom is lost money so there would have been some incentive to soften the financial cost to the parents.