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

[orangina]

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.....

Is anyone viewing Latymer Upper or Godolphin & Latymer?

I went to today's G&L Open Evening boxedin1.... we are not going to Latymer Upper as I am sticking to girls schools (though we will likely consider for ds in a few years time.....).

We love G&L and it would be our first choice, but think it fits neatly into the box called 'aspirational'.... I suspect dd would have to have a good day to get in, the girls all seem so bright and eager to learn......

My DD sat both G&L and Latymer Upper last year and I'm happy to offer views. She got offers from both (we did not accept either). I think the perception was that LU was the harder to get in to, although it also feels like there is more hype around it: certainly there was something in the press about how they had over 1000 applicants etc etc and for whatever reason it is seen as a plum choice from DD's primary school. It did feel at times - particularly the interview day - like it was some sort of minor reality TV show - a cross between the Hunger Games and the early rounds of Britains Got Talent!

G&L was much more straightforward and felt calmer throughout the whole interview and exam process. I liked it (I suspect because it felt like a much much better version of the school I went to years ago), although I was not blown away, DH was fairly neutral about it and interestingly DD really didn't like it (to the extent, interestingly, that when we told her she got in she said "Don't make me go there"). My own view is that it is definitely a school you have to look round and it will either suit you or not suit you. Its a great school, it really wouldn't suit DD - and somehow she recognised that straight away. Actually it's a good thing when this is clear.

Can I ask when you all took your DCs round the schools? Y5 or Y6? DD is in Y4 and we will be considering some of the schools mentioned above I think but I can't imagine her looking round the schools and deciding which ones she like more etc. Does it all become clearer as you look round them? I'm going to have a look at a few this term just to start the process in my own head but not sure when to take DD..

I think it's sensible for parents to look round the main open days in years 4 or 5, and then the smaller daytime tours in year 5. This refines the short list for your DD to look around in years 5 and 6. Then she won't be falling in love with a school you've found has a show-stopping reason not to go for from your POV.

Spreading them out also means you avoid clashes/pile ups, and helps them not to merge into one lump, IYSWIM, and I think you get a clearer idea that way. If your DD has friends with older siblings, talking to their parents can help you get a feel for the schools too.

We didn't find looking round the schools made decisions any easier because you're always so acutely aware that you don't get to make the choice as to whether they go there. In a way, I was constantly looking for reasons to dislike them since I felt defensive about the way the could reject my beloved child.

It was only once he'd got interviews and then, more so, offers that we could make a decision. Helped that we only applied to three, pretty selective (north London, boys) schools and then was only offered two of the three, one of which we'd gone right off during the process.

btw this is why I think it's very unfair when schools ask children which one is their favourite since as a parent you're constantly trying to convey that one is no better than the others to manage disappointment. One of the schools asked them to right down their order of schools at the exam, which I thought was shoddy.

We looked round anything DH and I were interested in when the DC were in y5 and then took the DC in Y6 to the main open days for the 3-4 schools we were pretty decided on applying to (without ever saying it was a completely done deal). I definitely agree that it's a bit unwise to let your DC get fixated on a school which you are not really interested in.

I agree that it is hard to differentiate and they are all trying to impress you but you do get outliers each way, I think and even that can be helpful. We were massively put off one school we thought we might like but didn't, another one was perfect on paper and we went in hugely receptive because it ticked lots of boxes and really did not like it, while a third school which on paper was not such an obvious fit was just very nice and shot up our "rankings".

Sorry my message should have read 'write down' rather than 'right down'. I'm not an idiot, really.

I'm impressed Rascar that you had so many options. There only seemed to be about three boys/co-ed schools within a reasonable distance, but maybe we didn't look at the ones perceived as less selective as we'd have rather state.

Thanks all! DD is already determined she is going to X or Y purely because she's heard of them..have gently explained it's not quite as simple as that and told DH it's not helpful to say that if she works hard she can go wherever she wants! She has friends with older siblings so it'll all become clearer to her I suspect- don't want to burst her little Y4 bubble just yet!

I am fussing about how many to eventually apply to. We have put in applications to 2 that we are definitely interested in (G&L and NHEHS), and will probably also apply to FHS SW1 and Queens College. Today was Marylebone C.E. School, which we only stand a chance of going to if we get a musical aptitude place.

I found myself discussing with DH afterwards what we felt it offered over somewhere like Queens, apart from nicer lunches and (frankly) richer friends. Neither of which rank very high in my book. If she does get a music/choral aptitude place, we will know that we have a confirmed place (assuming we don't make a mess of the pan london application form) on October 19th. Which will be a HUGE relief, as it will be a back up at least, no matter what our final offers/decision will be.

I am fretting.

(and breathe)

houseisfallingdown, I know what you mean. DD saw G&L last year and has decided that it is where she wants to go. I hope she understands that if she doesn't get in, it won't be because she has failed in any way, but just because not everyone can get in, as it is such a popular school, etc.

I went through this last year and will be doing it again in 2017
I would advise do no more than 3 schools if the exams are all in the first week of January. By the third one they'll be knackered and start messing around ime.
Don't "choose" the one you want until you have the offer letters. you can only choose from the offers you have.
Take your state options seriously too. in the cold light of February you may find you choose it after all, it happens a lot.
Good luck!!

Please don't forget the weekly boarding option! There are excellent girls' schools an hour away from sw London which have acres of space, amazing facilities and get fantastic results. Your chances of your DD gaining a place without sitting multiple entrance exams with all the associated pressures are so much higher. You may, understandably, feel you don't want to 'lose 'your DD at 11+, but weigh up the advantages and disadvantages before dismissing the idea. Also the extra cost isn't as bad as you might imagine once you factor in daily travel, after school childcare, after school clubs etc.

Pennybrite- I went to full boarding school and loved it and I think DD would actually love it too. I think weekly boarding might be a good compromise but DH would (probably) never agree to it!

If you're close to Clapham Junction, Woldingham is within reach even as a day pupil (about 20mins on train, station is at perimeter of school (700? acre) grounds, though I've heard that most pupils slide, by choice, into weekly boarding.

Houseisfallingdown I totally understand, but weekly boarding is worth looking into, even just to dismiss it. Most schools offer a bus service on a Friday evening as well as a return shuttle to the railway station which means when girls are a bit older they could opt out of Boarding and go day but my observations are they love boarding and so do mums and dads once they've got used to the advantages.
It's just the awful pressure London parents and their children endure, which I would hate. I've heard girls sitting 6 entrance exams with hundreds of other hopefuls. And interviews. What's all that about? A good Head will get what she/he requires from the confidential report from the feeder school and the entrance exam. If in doubt she/he will pick up the phone and ask more questions. Interviews are great for little miss Confident at aged 10, but can mean agony for lots if others who may simply parrot what parents have told them to say.
I know London parents on behalf of their sons and daughters sacrifice a lot at top London day schools including outside space to play, sports facilities etc but there are other options which tick so many boxes.

Thanks for all the info. Had thought about Woldingham - anyone I know who goes there, started as day pupil and now weekly boards at £4k extra per term, gulp! Its their open morning this weekend, undecided as to whether to go - as someone said earlier, don't pay the reg fee/complete the application unless you really are going to do the exam!

Saw Kingston Grammar on Sat, liked it, bit cramped, but nice kids and teachers but for us it falls into same category as Emanuel and thats just a walk away.

Still to see JAGS, PutneyHS and StreathamClaphamHS before deciding which to apply to.

I'm thinking about all this for dd1 in a few years time. But she's at a primary where the head thinks they should all go to local schools, so there's no support at all. How do you know where is likely to be a good fit academically (as in, what would be your stretch option as opposed to your safe option) if the school won't / can't advise you? I can work out what will suit her in other ways but I've no idea how to calibrate the academic stuff.

Hi there
I'm so sorry I posted about applying for overseas and didn't really make much sense. We won't be deferring, she will be sitting in 2017. DD came from a London prep so we know the scene quite well - which is probably why I'm panicking!
I haven't contacted any schools as yet so I'm not sure of the attitude to candidates coming from overseas schools. We will be moving back lock, stock and barrel with her but also considering boarding option.
My biggest stress right now is that her school doesn't really prepare her in the way London preps are hothoused. Or am I wrong in thinking this is the case...I've seen some of the maths they do in Year 4 in her old prep school and it is no different to what she does, if not maybe less demanding. Does Year 5 suddenly shoot up in standard and do they start test papers non-stop? I have tried to ask my 'friends' back in England but surprise, surprise, noone wants to divulge...
Thank you!

Hi! I hadnt noticed this thread had come back to life. We are having a panic about our school choices - we were advised to go for the academic SW London options by our primary school (Godolphin, Latymer Upper, Putney, WHS, Surbiton and Ibstock as back up). But dd isnt doing particularly well on English practise papers - mainly because she only completes 2/3 of each due to her processing speed issues. I simply cant see how she will get into any of the top 4 unless her performance improves dramatically. So wondering if we are just setting her up for disappointment.

Does anyone have any experience as to whether children make leaps in progress over this term? She was working at level 5b in maths and 5C in English at the end of year 5 so doing well. She was assessed as in the 99th percentile for English in her last PiE assessment at school - but she just cant seem to translate it into 11+ timings and structure.

Does anyone know what sort of numbers apply for Godolphin (our favourite in a dream world)?

Off to see St James and Francis Holland SW1 over the next week or so with a view to softening the list....

We are all already feeling stressed!!!

WHS is just VR and NVR - will that help?

Is she good at maths? My (anecdotal) experience has been that a very strong maths paper gets you a long way and is much more useful in the process than a strong English paper.

My DC went through the 11+ last year and goes to one of the top ones on your list Shirleycantbe! Maths ok but not particularly strong but English very good. Your DDs Y5 levels are in the right range and sounds like she is on track so maybe she just needs to get some extra help with exam technique? This can make a lot of difference.

Shirleycantbe - are you really going to do 6 schools?

We have been advised to do 4 but I think we are going to do 2 private and then state

She is good at VR and NVR though timing is still an issue and I wish I knew more about which type of tests Wimbledon do.

Her maths is good - getting over 80% in most past papers at this stage but Englush varies wildly from 91% if it's short answer comprehension to in the 50s when it's longer answers with essay.

Yes - 6 schools - I know! It's fairly normal amongst the kids I know, only a handful are doing less. It's not ideal I know but since all these schools are so oversubscribed I feel we need to maximise her chances - especially as she's got this speed issue.

Thanks for the advice!