11+ Sept 2017 London Independent Girls School applications - all welcome!

[Pradaqueen]

Hello All!

Inspired by another recent thread and last year's SW London Girls thread, I thought I would create a thread for those of us applying to London Day Schools. I have put independent as I think 11+ has passed for most of us. Anyone care to join?

I have a DD (10) who wants to sit CLGS and SPGS. Ideally she would like to be a music scholar so looking at schools with a strong music department that is a commutable distance.

[nocampinghere]

you're already doing 4 and you want back ups too?!

[Lifeisallhahahehe]

Prep suggesting 6 to most pupils.

[sw15mum]

Surely if your DD is considering SPGS the back up is Surbiton? Most preps seem to recommend doing no more than 4.

[AnotherNewt]

6 is a lot of exams!

I know some parents go in for that number if registrations (or more) but they usually weed out a few before the exams. And I'm mildly surprised at a prep suggesting that many.

But aside from that, which bits of Surrey can you reach? Would you consider weekly boarding? Do you have any candidate schools?

[BizzyFizzy]

6 schools is child abuse.

I just did one for DD (SWPS).

[BizzyFizzy]

Pick a school that your DD can get to and from, easily, by herself, at all hours.

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

Life where's closest to you? As that's a huge geographical spread... honestly if your dd is academic enough to be considering SPGS you don't need to make the poor child take six exams - that's complete overkill and I'm very surprised that any decent prep would be suggesting that

Which school(s) are closest to you? As 'catchments' are much wider for secondary you could end up with all her friends living miles and miles away. No school is worth a long and/or complicated journey and not having localish friends

[SquirmOfEels]

Those schools probably mean living near Clapham Junction (though CLSG a bit of a pain from there).

[AnotherNewt]

It's probably too late to put anyone down for more (unless you can hand-deliver forms)

I think most deadlines fall this week.

[Lifeisallhahahehe]

Yes I thought so too but prep says to add another back up in the case of an off day.

[Lifeisallhahahehe]

JUst asking what others would consider as back ups after SHS (not the amount of schools to go for)

[Peppapig]

If your dd is of a SPGS/City calibre then Surbiton is all you need for back up. What have the school advised you? (beside the crazy number to do)
It will also depend on where you live.

[Lifeisallhahahehe]

That's what we thought peppa
They say Surbiton is a banker but are advising all parents to do 6!....

[Peppapig]

That is madness! There will probably be exam and interview clashes, your dd will be exhausted. Our prep advised 3, with a maximum of 4. They're not advising you well if you're looking at such a big spread of schools, both on location and academically.
After Surbiton I'd say Sutton High, Marymount or Notre Dame are the next level down, but only viable if you're near Surrey.

[Lifeisallhahahehe]

Thank you
Yes we are near Clapham junction. Independent travel- wise we are closest to Surbiton I'd say then SPGS/Latymer...
I see what you are saying, I was surprised as only intended to do 4. However the following years have all done between 4-10 schools (I am not exaggerating!)
Perhaps prep is trying to get as many pupils into a vast amount of schools? After all it is a business...

[morecoffee12]

Maybe the prep are advising 6 to boost its stats.....I agree with PP that say if your DD is SPGS calibre, SHS is your back up. This whole process is madness.

[nocampinghere]

that is shocking advice.
we are advised MAXIMUM 3
many preps actually refuse to do references for any more than 4.

nearly all the exams are the first week of jan. by the second exam they are wrecked. make sure you know the timetables and when the one you want the most is and apply accordingly or your dd will blow it.

[nocampinghere]

lots of preps like to be able to announce we got x many scholarships. they get this stat up by advising bright dcs to enter lots of easier schools where they will be offered scholarships but have no intention of going to.

parents really should ask how many scholarships were taken up rather than how many were offered. that's true value.

[AveEldon]

Good point about how many scholarships are taken up

We were advised to do 4 but the school didn't object to people doing more
3-8 seemed to be the range

[Lifeisallhahahehe]

aha nocamping, you may be right as DD is going for sport/ academic or all rounder scholarships so perhaps her qualifying for the other schools will boost stats- This is my first round of 11 plus so did not realise as they have advised SHS but also suggested SCHS and Emanuel as back up too??
But my thinking is the SPGS,Latymer exams etc will be a lot to take on already...

[fleurdelacourt]

we've been advised 3 - with 4 as an absolute max. There are always people who enter everything - but surely there's no kudos in getting 10 offers (or even 10 scholarships) - the only thing that matters is that you get the offer you're happy with?

[Lifeisallhahahehe]

aveEldon
yes our range at our prep is minimum 4. None bats an eye at 6...

[Lifeisallhahahehe]

apologies more coffee was who i was addressing: "aha i think you are right...."

[EmpressoftheMundane]

We did four. It felt like a lot. They are only little still. The exams/interviews can be draining for them. With DD2 rolling up, we will definitely stick with four and no more.

[Lifeisallhahahehe]

to answer anothernewt:

But aside from that, which bits of Surrey can you reach? Would you consider weekly boarding?
Surrey via clapham junction and any surrey schools which have a bus via wimbledon/putney are fine.
We would consider weekly boarding.