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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

Is it too early to start a 2016 girls 11+ W/SW London thread?

836 replies

orangina · 07/07/2015 11:39

What do we think? DD is sitting 11+ for various consortium schools in January 2016 and I am slightly desperate for a thread to compare notes, pat each others shoulders etc..... I lurked on last years thread, but it didn't start until much later....

Just booking up open day places and filling in my registration forms now.....

OP posts:

Original poster

orangina · 15/01/2016 15:53

So the chances (statistically) aren't nearly as frightening as (say) G&L where there were something like 700+ competing for ?120? places….

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ealingwestmum · 15/01/2016 16:00

No. And it's a lovely school. The demand is just higher for the more West London schools that attract a different mix of girls, personality and location wise. E.g. more prep children will apply for the likes of G&L/SPGS/LU/LEH etc and place NH and some others in the consortium groups as their back ups.

Original poster

orangina · 15/01/2016 16:08

I love the feeling at NHEHS. And the head seems to be fabulous (though is it true she is retiring?)…. I think if dd got in, she would be very happy there...

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ealingwestmum · 15/01/2016 16:15

I'm sure whoever takes over from next Sept will retain the high focus on pastoral care, which is the school's best USP (in my opinion..must not forget the MN disclaimer)

ealingwestmum · 15/01/2016 16:25

just a small caveat oringina on the numbers...a girl can sit a consortium group exam at a school of their preferred choice. Therefore, the numbers you saw physically today, may not be the actual number that have applied the school as they've entered for it but sat it elsewhere!

Crazy2016 · 15/01/2016 16:47

Yes a lot at Francis Holland this am will also be applying to NH I would have thought..... Seemed to be teeming there!

Original poster

orangina · 15/01/2016 17:01

Of course, you're right ealingwestmum….. (re: others applying for NH but sitting it at FHS for instance)

OP posts:

Original poster

orangina · 15/01/2016 17:16

So how did everyone find the exams today? Dd thought maths was easier, but comprehension was harder….

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Crazy2016 · 15/01/2016 17:24

I promised not to ask so I haven't but do want to know! How did others find it?

Almostdone2 · 15/01/2016 17:52

Dd said it went well. Maths just didn't finish and English good. I think she's a bit numb now.

pearlmummy · 15/01/2016 20:58

Any LEH parents out there? We were lucky enough to get interview letter for LEH and along with the letter came the school mag. On p1 there were new staff appointments which included head of maths and 4 new maths teachers. That seemed a lot to me. Is there any significance to that?
Any general feedback to LEH would be very welcome (not sure if this is right place to post this..... do let me know if better place!)

Shirleycantbe · 15/01/2016 21:25

DH and I have just had exactly the same conversation about 15 mins ago! Don't know what the significance is but it seems rather odd.

Does anyone know how many LEH interview?

SlightlyJaded · 15/01/2016 21:40

A couple of friends have been offered KGS interviews via email today. DD came out of that one feeling pretty confident and had finished both papers. However, we have heard nothing today which I am assuming means a 'no' but not sure if they get all the emails out in one day. Does anyone know?

AbsoluteBeginners · 15/01/2016 23:43

I'm not sure if all emails for kgs were sent out today...I had to speak with them today and it was mentioned that our email was the first batch, which is probably because our surname starts with B. But I'm not sure if they are sticking to girls before boys or mixing it up either. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

SlightlyJaded · 16/01/2016 09:09

Thanks Absolute. We are very near you in the alphabet so not looking great for DD. It's just hard to get my head around because she is bright - by any standards - and said she found it pretty easy. I can't quite figure out what went so wrong that she didn't even get to interviews.

I'm not suggesting 'some mistake' but it will knock her confidence and I'm dreading telling her.

argyle1234 · 16/01/2016 10:34

Hi all just got a regret letter from clsg .DD pretty dejected since she was hoping an interview. Don't know what to say after the hard work ??any suggestions.

Almostdone2 · 16/01/2016 11:32

I think it is just the sheer number of applicants. It is crazy. 800, 900 trying for what 100 or even 70 spots?
I also wonder about the use of marking schemes. With that sort of volume it must be hard.

Crazy2016 · 16/01/2016 11:33

Oh Argyle it's so hard. There will be many in the same position as the numbers are so ridiculous and I'm sure this first letter must be the worst. Maybe just the obvious lots of words of encouragement about having a go and how many people there are that will be disappointed like her and that wasn't school for her anyway!!!we didn't go for ClSG but I am sure we are going to have to do the same conforting on quite a few of our choices...

SlightlyJaded · 16/01/2016 11:39

Agree that the consistency of marking has to be in question - especially with anything subjective.

We are just waiting for second post to arrive and I anticipate a rejection from KGS. It wasn't our first choice but still so sad for DD who worked so hard and felt so confident.

Crazy2016 · 16/01/2016 11:43

I agree that it's really hard to make them feel better when they have worked really really hard and all of them would most probably thrive in these schools... In fact I have come to end of these exams feeling that nine of these schools are that special but it's just be sheet volume of children that makes them seem so inaccessible!

randomparent · 16/01/2016 11:43

Sorry to hear that, argyle. Often, a DC is worried about disappointing their parents so some reassurance from you/OH could help. Note also that there is a degree of randomness in the outcomes, both at the interview and offer stages.

I hope your DD has heard good news from other schools.

Crazy2016 · 16/01/2016 11:45

None not nine! Sorry

minoula · 16/01/2016 11:56

Jaded - I really don't think you need to lose hope re- KGS yet. Not sure if they go alphabetically even - 2 years ago we suspected it was by candidate number, or whatever exam group they were in. They def interviewed girls first, but you were called for interview by phone. Also there are 2 types of interview "general" (ie. a general chat because both Maths and English papers were fine), or a "subject" interview in which they have a maths or English interview (whichever paper was a bit borderline) as well as the general chat. They may be doing all of one type of interview first? Good luck!

SlightlyJaded · 16/01/2016 11:57

Yep. Post just came. Rejection. DD cried because according to her "that was the easy one". She still has another to sit and it has knocked her badly.

The volume of applicants is ridiculous someone told me 1200 for Putney High this year

I just wish some of the more academic Independents would take the approach some of the softer ones do and invest more weight in primary track records/levels rather than one day in a hall.

DD at a local state (albeit outstanding state in top borough) so already at a disadvantage in terms of prepping, but acknowledged as one of the brightest in the school and consistently working at 2 or 3 years ahead in all subjects. I know she's bright. She's also chatty, articulate and funny. But now she feels like that's not enough and that's a shame.

SlightlyJaded · 16/01/2016 11:59

Ah cross post Minoula. Thanks anyway

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