Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

As the Tiffin deadline looms, is there a girls SW London grammars / indies thread yet?

969 replies

FlumePlume · 26/08/2018 18:15

I just realised that I need to get the Tiffin Girls form in ASAP, and wondered if anyone else is in the same position? I could do with company in this process!

We’re not yet decided but probably applying to Tiffin, WHS, SPGS, Sutton High and maybe one of PHS / Emanuel / KGS.

OP posts:
HeadSpinning2019 · 01/02/2019 09:46

Good luck everyone!!!!!

Jimjam68 · 01/02/2019 09:57

Yes best of luck to everyone. Must stop staring out of the window looking for the postman.

montenuit · 01/02/2019 10:21

Just so you know dd got an offer last year from SHS - it was an A5 envelope so don't panic if it is not a big thick A4 !

KaliforniaDreamz · 01/02/2019 11:00

FlumePlume thank you

TheExtraGuineaPig · 01/02/2019 11:45

No luck for us.. I feel sick to tell DD although I think she'll cope. Very upsetting as she's been at the top of her class all her life and doing so well with her tutor. Must have really struggled in the exams though she said all were fine. Poor little sausage. I'm not sure it matters that she's not going there but it's hard to tell them they didn't get in somewhere

Very best of luck to everyone else xx

Jimjam68 · 01/02/2019 11:50

Oh I’m so sorry to hear that, it’s really tough isn’t it. It’s silly numbers this year for most schools and competition is tough. Treat her to something nice this weekend. X

1ndig0 · 01/02/2019 11:55

So sorry to hear that Guinea. Your DD will be fine as long as you are. It often makes no sense, but it’s just one school in the world. Something will come through and then you won’t look back. Flowers

TheExtraGuineaPig · 01/02/2019 12:00

I have just reread my post, she did have an interview at KGS which we are waiting for so I don't want to sound too gloomy!! She prefers it too, but of course she would have liked to have the choice.

Now it's nail biting waiting for KGS.. I have everything crossed!

Also we aren't unhappy at all with the state school option, I just absolutely hate putting her through it all and not sure I would again knowing how rejection feels.

1ndig0 · 01/02/2019 12:25

She’s done brilliantly then to get the interview for KGS. I know one or two who didn’t, even though they’ve had interviews at LEH. I guess it’s different exam styles suiting different DC and an element of luck on the day. I dint think KGS over interview too much either, so she has a good chance.

Testbunny · 01/02/2019 12:43

Sorry to hear that, GuineaPig. Agree that an interview at KGS is a good sign, particularly if it's a general one

Jimjam68 · 01/02/2019 13:00

It’s a yes for us from Surbiton (feel slightly awkward in saying). Feeling less confident about PHS tomorrow (post willing), but it’s not our favourite so what will be will be...

HeadSpinning2019 · 01/02/2019 13:08

I cracked and opened it. Was going to wait for DD.
It's a Yes. Phew.
Had to read several times to check.
Sorry to hear re your DD Guinea.
The exams were all slightly different and the schools seem to look for different things too and SHS is one school.
Not an easy time for our DC.

TheExtraGuineaPig · 01/02/2019 13:08

Oh don't feel awkward JimJam! That's great news and very well done to your DD Smile

HeadSpinning2019 · 01/02/2019 13:08

@Jimjam68 congrats to your DD.

TheExtraGuineaPig · 01/02/2019 13:09

And good news for you too HeadSpinning! Really well done to your DD Smile

littlemisslucky2 · 01/02/2019 13:28

Our post not come yet. Going slightly mad....

1ndig0 · 01/02/2019 13:33

Congrats Jimjam and HeadSpinning!

KaliforniaDreamz · 01/02/2019 14:26

TheExtraGuineaPig sucha strange result if she got an interview at KGS (which is harder to get into) just goes to show this is all so random! Hope your girl is ok xxxxx

Congrats Jimjam and HeadSpinning!

Have just got envelope after a nail biting morning... and it is a YES!

Best of luck to all and especially Guinea's girl xxxx

Greenleave · 01/02/2019 14:38

I am keeping all crossed for your miniGuinea too Guinea on KGS, what a stressful time!

We have one interview today and one tomorrow then we will be biting our nails for the results too. Well, mostly me because she seems so chilled. My husband calls it “relaxing” when we try to get some information on how the interviews went however she only said I dont know, some questions took me a long time to answer. I am extremely worried about interviews as she is very quirky and could appears as either dull or too excited depends on her mood on the day. So far she has been “dull” side in all interviews.

PatienceVirtue · 01/02/2019 14:49

I'm so sorry to butt in on this thread when people are digesting news from a school, but I've a question. Does it help or hinder to get in touch with the schools admissions people when you're in the middle of the process?

Specifically, we'd like our daughter to follow her sister into a consortium school. She's actually more academically able than her sister but we've no idea how she did in the new test. I've heard that because the new test is less comprehensive, they're looking at references more and CAT tests. However, as dd is at a state primary she hasn't done CATs and her reference will be fairly generic.

Also when asked about other schools she didn't mention that she'd got through to the interview stage of a prestigious school and the academic scholarship stage of another. If she didn't do well on the consortium test, I'd like them to know that she's excelled elsewhere.

A friend from the private sector was all 'oh you should get your head to intervene' not understanding that it's not how it works in a state primary. She then said we should get in touch to convey fact that she's done so well in other tests but that our top choice is sister's school. She says this sort of pushiness works.

Does it? Would it do more harm than good? Are we letting her down by not doing it? Instinctively we shy away from being pushy.

[PS very sorry to hear of some disappointments coming through but glad for those who've got good news. I've found this thread very helpful even though we're not trying for same schools]

Jimjam68 · 01/02/2019 15:06

Kalifornia, I’m so pleased for your DD! Well done too HeadSpinning. PatienceVirtue, I’m not an expert but my understanding is that schools will first and foremost rank the girls by their entrance exam scores. Do any of them take into account other scores such as CAT scores when not everyone has them? Certainly not round here. The report will be important in that they are looking to back up test scores but that’s all. Who knows how much selective schools unofficially take into account siblings at the school? Possibly they do. I’m guessing it will make no difference contacting them ahead of the results, but should she be waitlisted then I’d be straight on the phone with all your extra information, as that’s what the prep heads will do.

OVienna · 01/02/2019 15:09

Patience, my DD goes to a private prep and I doubt that the head of our school would intervene in this way. In fact, I am certain he would not. The head would have nothing to gain from the perspective of the school's overall relationship with the secondary and also - if it got out that he lobbied on behalf of ONE child in the year, can you imagine how that would go down with the rest of the parents? Then what's he supposed to do next? Ring for everyone? This is not a criticism of you - I am driving myself totally mad as well, but I hope you can put your mind at easy that sidebar lobbying is not occurring the way your friend suggested. I think there is no alternative to hanging tight and waiting.

Are your friends kids a similar age or older?

PatienceVirtue · 01/02/2019 15:13

Kalifornia I've been following your bolshiness over the whole process with empathy! I do like grumpiness mixed with humour, it's the best. So pleased to hear about your offer. Does it change your views on the whole grim process?

Jimjam I think that's sensible advice. The trouble is with the new consortium test is that it feels a bit random and I've no idea whether dd did herself justice or just had an interview as a sibling. This friend was very adamant that intervention works and said that it had worked for a friend but you've no idea if the child would have got in anyway. I think I'll do as you suggest and phone bash as and when.

OVienna · 01/02/2019 15:14

I agree with JimJim - in the event of a waitlist, gloves are OFF.

PatienceVirtue · 01/02/2019 15:31

OVienna thanks for your advice too. It can feel as if you're an outsider if you're applying from state school and there's all sorts of ways you're missing out.

Yes friend is a parent of similar aged kids and a tutor but from a very different milieu to me. She was, for example, incredulous that I couldn't call upon our head to do whatever I asked. I tried to explain that the head might be busy with other things, dealing with social services say, given that over half kids on the school come from deprived backgrounds.

PS you're from East L aren't you? We talked on this or other thread, I might have been under different username as I keep changing as I'm paranoid that admissions tutors read these threads... Scholarship interview dd has had was at the school near you that has become a bit of a magnet for Central/North London parents.

Swipe left for the next trending thread