Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

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

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:
TeddTess · 03/02/2016 18:30

and both KGS and Surbiton def went to wait list last year

MissCellaneous · 03/02/2016 18:44

Now I can spell!

I'm sure you are right TedTess as my DH was talking to the new Emanuel registrar on a recent visit and he was talking about 2-3 times offers due to losing so many to Dulwich, Whitgift, Alleyns etc..

I think KGS must be similar due to losses to Hampton, LEH, WHS, PHS, even Kings and others...

Also I should have noted my conversation with KGS head doesn't tally with the figures they gave me in last year's 10+ rejection letter (790/220). He was probably a bit vague on that.

AveEldon · 03/02/2016 18:48

I think WHS is expected to have adjusted their offer rate this year - they over offered last year so possibly will be more cautious this year

cakeisalwaystheanswer · 03/02/2016 19:22

People are forgetting to factor the numbers who sit Indys as a backup for Tiffin and the Sutton Grammar schools and will take these in preference. Also a lot of DCs sit because parents are unsure of getting their local desirable state school choice and want a backup. It isn't just other Indys the schools are competing with to fill their places.
Someone said upthread that Surbiton has 500 entries, it was allegedly 700 a couple of years ago and there were fewer places then as apparently there will be a 175 intake this year (again mentioned upthread, I haven't checked). I am sure numbers from KGS have been higher in the past.
I don't think anything is different this year and expect the final reckoning to be similar to last years. I know its stressful but hang on for those waitlist places if that is what you want, there will be an awful lot of movement.

Ashers40 · 03/02/2016 21:03

TeddTess not sure KGS offer that many. They only interview 300 and I'm assuming 100% of those don't get offered. I'd guess maybe 250 offers, but of course it's just a guess. Oh and I was told 800 sat for 11 plus this year by the admissions lady

Crazy2016 · 05/02/2016 09:14

How is everyone!!? Results coming in for my DD school have been by mixed and lots of kids expecting to get yes or interviews not going through... How everyone else doing?

wheresthebeach · 05/02/2016 09:23

Big hugs to everyone who's waiting. We did this last year and it was stressful both at home and in the playground.

Last year was a bumper year in terms of the birth rate so there was just a lot more kids chasing the same number of spaces. Several schools seem to have been shocked by the number of acceptances so the likes of WHS had a bulge class, Ibstock sent out a note saying they weren't expecting to offer any places off wait lists and Emmanuel said the same as they had so many acceptances.

Hopefully wait lists will move a bit more this year as so many kids are doing 4-6 exams so may get multiple offers.

So I guess what I'm saying is that hopefully last year was just an odd year and this year will be back to a more normal profile.

mummyinatizz · 08/02/2016 09:58

Delighted that my DD got an offer from SCHS on Friday. Seems to be a really good fit for her so we'll be accepting today and the worry/wait is over for us. Best of luck to those still waiting to hear later this week.

notatigermum999 · 08/02/2016 10:07

Very happy for you and your DD mummyinatizz!

Shirleycantbe · 08/02/2016 10:27

Great news mummyinatizz! Glad the stress is over and done with for you and your DD!

Almostdone2 · 08/02/2016 10:49

Mummyinatizz well done to you both! I can't imagine the relief! What will you do with your time now you are sorted??

EmpressOfWorry · 08/02/2016 11:45

Great news about SCHS place Mummyinatizz Grin so glad your DD is sorted and hoping we all feel the same relief soon!

Firefox1066 · 08/02/2016 12:40

Congrats Mummyinatizz.... I remember you from the Whitgift/Trinity/DulwichAlleyns thread... So you now have a DS at W and DD at S&C right? You should feel very proud!

On the numbers applying issue, I think there should be a ranking system, similar to UCAS with a limit of three school that one can apply to. There could be some sore of "clearing" for those who are not holding any offers. I wonder if that would work?

mummyinatizz · 08/02/2016 13:33

Ah, lovely messages, thank you all. I'm already spending my 'free' time looking at uniforms etc, putting term dates in the diary!

Firefox, thats very kind, thank you - yes I do have DS at W in yr7. Very fortunate to have them both at great schools.

Will be keeping close eye here for others new later in the week, fingers crossed.

Ashers40 · 08/02/2016 15:53

Congrats mummyinatizz, fabulous news indeed

hopeful123 · 08/02/2016 21:52

really pleased for you and your DD, mummyinatizz. I think it is a great school and defintely the one we got the warmest vibes.
Can anyone tell me if the envelope size matters- DD is storing all responses until the 12th when she will open them all together and read the email (no way i would have that kind of self control and she understands that there are others on waiting lists that need everyone to answer asap)- only thing I can glean is that both PHS and SCHS were A4 size envelopes

AnotherNewt · 08/02/2016 22:01

Envelope size matters only up to a point. If it's a thick A4 envelope it's an offer, as it has all sorts of useful joiners bumf, welcome letter for the prospective pupil, and various forms they want actual signatures on. (I'm not aware of any schools that offer other than by thick envelope, though I've got a faint recollection of someone saying last year that one of them does, but I can't remember which one, and of course my memory might be all wrong anyhow).

Wait list and no thanks letters can be indistinguishable, in thin envelopes.

redlemons · 08/02/2016 22:46

If waiting for Emanuel or Latymer then a thick A5 envelope is good news!!

TeddTess · 08/02/2016 23:00

Surbiton High is A5 thin for offer
don't know re waiting list or no.

mummyinatizz · 09/02/2016 09:22

Sounds like very positive news in envelopes for your DD hopeful123.

Just so you know, in our SCHS A4 envelope was an invite to a welcome morning, tomorrow 10 Feb, 0915-1030, chance to meet the head (again), ask questions - guess its for those who haven't decided. DD and I are going.

Passionfruitmartini · 09/02/2016 17:36

A late comer to this chat. Hopefully you can help.
Getting an interview at CLGS means a score of? The school interviews 300 for 75 places only including junior? or is it only external?

If you get interview at City does it mean the pass mark is also good for G&L? Are the pass marks different for the different schools of the Consortium? I hear over 800 applicants at city but not sure how many at G&L
Daughter thought interview a City went well but G&L can't be sure....questions were easier but interviewer seemed bored or tired. She thinks the question about analysing a picture she did OK. How many places are available at G&L?
For those with daughters perhaps at PH, G&L and CLGS what is the best and worse of each.
My DD is bright, friendly, sporty, competitive but nice, caring and I think a combination of an academic school with a lot of opportunities for extra curricular activities will suit her. We think she is lovely.....just a little intense at times. She needs to be busy.
Any comments please feel free to share. Thanks

Crazy2016 · 09/02/2016 20:19

I think all consortium schools have their own pass marks or levels.. I heard 900 applied for G&L... So who gets a place at individuals schools will depend on how many applying and what the relative standard is applying to that school..

AnotherNewt · 09/02/2016 20:33

Nearly every school has one or two further open days for offer-holders, held before deadline day.

They know that people are weighing up an important decision, and much as they are fervently crossing their fingers that the numbers work out, they are also genuinely interested in these girls by this point and want them to be in the right school for them. And so are very helpful.

hopeful123 · 09/02/2016 21:06

Thanks for that advice about SCHS mummyinatizz.
passionfruitmartini- CLSG say that between them and G&L so there very little difference in the pass mark/ levels to get in.
I think all those schools you mentioned could suit your child- CLSG is a commuting school and has kids from all over London, probably more so than the PHS and G+L- you might think it is a good or bad thing.
One thing that put my keen swimmer DD off G+L is that they do not have their own pool.

Passionfruitmartini · 09/02/2016 23:02

Thanks for that info.
900 is a large number...how many does G&L take?
Did not think about the pool....but seemed that all the schools try to use whatever grounds they have in the best way possible. I saw PH even has its own BoatHouse. Fantastic sixth form , and in general DD enjoyed the open day, assessment and interview. We are visiting again on thursday.
She is keen on G&L but with 900 applicants, not sure. City has been lovely. Much more uplifting updates and messages. DD interviewed here. I am a bit concerned about daily transport......
I wish there was some transparency to really know the odds of an offer, wl or rejection.....as it is, I am not sure. Have no idea of the pass mark for any of the schools. It seems interview more important at City? But we do not know for sure. No idea of the weight placed on school report/recommendation. We assume 75-90 places at G&L, but again not certain.
We are managing her expectations......also making sure she realises she is already in a good position with an offer. PH gave us a very good vibe....
Although I saw a thread which seemed to indicate poor pastoral care? However, it did not appear to us that way on open day or from the sixth form girl who showed us around. Academics seem good....sports too.
We know City is better placed on league tables, but we are not so worried about that.
And G&L seems in between....PH and City? Is that fair?
It is just impossible to know at the end of the day what the result will be.

Hopefully this will be over soon. And yes, would love if we are fortunate to get good news to have the chance and see them again.