Kew House - West London. How hard to get into?

[Silliness75]

Hi there - my DS is on the waitlist for Kew House - it’s his favourite and we were really hoping for it. Is anyone else in the same boat? Was it much harder to get a place this year? I’d love to hear from any others who applied on how they got on? Thank you!

There were definitely more applicants this year - my dd1 is in Y9, it was the first time they were oversubscribed, but the numbers have grown hugely each year since. dd2 applied (and has a place) this year, and I was shocked at the numbers - so your ds did well!

Its harder for boys to get in than girls, due to there being more girls' indies in West London than boys. But the waiting list will shift, and lots of people still put it as 'back up' so hang in there. Good luck to your ds!

I know several kids who got in off the waitlist last year. In fact, the three or four from DD’s school who ended up there (from state school) got in off the waitlist around the time of offer deadline day.

I understand they ask in the letter for you to confirm your interest and I would definitely do that. It’s a school where the list will move as kids take up other offers so hang in there. And I would call the admissions office once a week to reiterate interest. Good luck.

My dd was on their waitlist in a previous year and this turned into an offer just before the general acceptance deadline.

If you are keen on the school call them and re-iterate you would accept a place immediately if offered. Ask the HT of your Ds school to do the same. A prep school HT will do this anyway and there’s no harm in asking a state school HT.

Hang on in there. It’s torture waiting, I know. Good luck.

WE have offer from Kew house and probably will not take it. So I can say that sure for few others buyable from DS school too. The waitlist will move .

Any ideas about how LU acceptances were this year ? For 11 plus ..

I have a child there.
The only thing a lot of parents don't consider or think about is whether their child can handle the very long lesson periods. Ask KHS for their yr 7, yr 8, yr 9 timetable and take a proper look . You will see that the lessons like Maths and English are 1.5hr long and some are even 3hrs long. This is a struggle for even the most intelligent and focused of children! No further comment! But just be warned in advance...

Hi Silliness75. I would be pretty sure the list will move - they offer a lot to their junior schools and many there will use as back up so hold on.

Our DS was on the waitlist - We were told this year their waitlist didn’t move at all. Are there anyone who got a place from the waitlist?

Sorry I know this is an old post but we’ve just been offered a place at Kew House and wondered if anyone could provide any feedback on how their children are getting on there? Many thanks

I don't have a child at the school but those that do are very happy there.

I'm not sure how widely reported this has been but the inspirational founding Headmaster is retiring from the role at the end of this year and will not be in place in September 2020.
That is something I would have very much wanted to know had I been applying for a DC

Thanks 😊 the headteacher did tell
us at the open day that he was retiring but that he would still be working with the governors and would also be part of the recruiting process for the new head.

I have a very happy child in year 11 at KHS. He has lovely friends and lovely teachers.

Sometimes he finds the 3-hour lessons long but other times it’s a big benefit - for example for science and the creative subject. It also means they often only have two or three subjects a day which seems to help even out homework.

He’s enjoyed being in a small school community - knows everyone, a really close group of friends. He plays sport and music in school - not too seriously. The best thing for him has been the teachers - he’s had some brilliant ones who have really pushed him to do well but have also been fun.

Happy to answer any specific questions.

We received a waiting list place today so have to wait and see.
My DS is dyslexic and I wondered if you knew how those who learn a bit more slowly get on. Are there teaching assistants in class along side teachers ? We are not able to meet with the senco to ask specific qu until there is a firm offer.
I am also interested to know if there is a large number travelling from Clapham junction as travel/safety is of concern. Thank you, any replies really helpful.
We really love the school, fingers crossed.

That’s really great to hear, thank you.

We also received a waiting list place and are wondering whether to confirm our interest or not. It's an easy journey to Kew but not sure about the long lessons and fees seem on the higher side.

The fees are expensive and so are all the extras. I suppose they are starting from scratch and have invested a lot on buildings etc.

Lots travel from Clapham Junction.

I don’t have specific knowledge of special needs help but I do know there is lots of extra support available outside of lessons for those who want or need it.

The teaching in my opinion has been superb - not overly pressured but not settling for less than they can achieve. It was very much seen as a bottom tier school when my ds started. He’s on track for a very strong set of GCSE results and I think he will do better than had we chosen the more academic alternative largely because he has been so happy.

@alldonenow2, lovely to hear your DS has been so happy and on a path for great results. When you say the extras are very expensive can you elaborate a little as to what these are? I’m thinking trips etc...

Lunches, trips, uniform. You pay for anything extra even if it is a class theatre trip - mostly they are only small amounts but it does all add up.

Thanks for your reply

DD started last September and is absolutely loving it. She actually likes the long lessons. It means they can really get to grips with the subject. I have been extremely impressed so far.

Its good to hear some positive comments on Kew House. We have an offer for our DS and are probably going to accept it.

If anyone has experience of their Senco/SEN provision I would really love to hear. Our DS may need some mild provision.

Also, I can see their GSCE results state 38% at 9-7 grades, which is obviously a lot less than many other independent schools. I just wondered if any current parents or past parents have any feedback on the academics there. I must say, though, that we're looking for a rounded education and not an overly pressurised environment, as we think this is what will best suit our child.

Finally, if we do accept DS will also be travelling from Clapham Junction, so any buddies, would be most welcome!

I think it’s fair to say it’s not one of the more academic private schools in west London, partly because it’s much easier to get into. But that makes it perfect for children who wouldn’t do well in an academic hot house.

My only concern is that it’s quite a privileged set that attend. Even more privileged than the cohorts of other west London private schools. It’s not got a big bursary programme (which no doubt impacts its results) and so it’s not in any way reflective of normal life.

I am not sure about the “even more privileged” than other west London private schools. My DC don’t go there but a lot of their friends from state primary school have ended up at Kew House.

All of those kids are regular, middle class kids with typically both parents working hard at the usual, regular careers that allow you to live in west London and consider private school. Is that privileged? Yes, but no more so than any other private school in the area. It’s hard to say if going to an alternative, larger private school with deeper pockets that offers some bursaries offers any more of “normal life.”