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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:
Original poster
FlumePlume · 05/02/2019 16:54

Our state school knows where the Y6 leavers go (there’s a list in the school newsletter at the end of the summer term), but the Head won’t take any part in a selective process (won’t write references, certainly won’t advise on schools or allow class teachers to do so). So I would assume that the letter comes in and is either binned or filed by the school office. I certainly wouldn’t dare ask for a hint!

OP posts:
1ndig0 · 05/02/2019 16:56

Are you serious Flume? Shock I’ve heard of people having to pay £20-£30 for a reference, But how can he refuse to write one? Surely he has a duty of care to pupils?

KaliforniaDreamz · 05/02/2019 17:01

Ours don't get involved in any private school stuff but they do write references .. well i assume they did anyway!

Original poster
FlumePlume · 05/02/2019 17:04

Entirely serious 1ndig0, the Head disapproves of selection by academic ability, as far as I can tell. It’s never said outright, but the view expressed is that all the kids should go to their local comprehensive school. So no reference. They are prepared to send a copy of the Y5 report (which is pretty uniformative - if you’ve never seen a state primary report it’s largely stock phrases taken from the National Curriculum, and the spectacularly unhelpful ‘exceeding age related expectations’ as the only measure of ability or attainment).

OP posts:
1ndig0 · 05/02/2019 17:05

Our head emails everyone in about October and asks to be informed if any clubs / achievements / extra curricular stuff or special interests / talents so that these can be included in references. There’s a pro-forms for this even and deadline by which you have to reply.

I think senior schools must factor in these differences.

littlemisslucky2 · 05/02/2019 17:08

We had to pay for references to be written. They were just done by class teacher as far as I’m aware.

1ndig0 · 05/02/2019 17:08

Wow Flume. He’s entitled to be anti selective schools, but not to impose this on everyone else! It’s none of his business what you choose for your child.

Greenleave · 05/02/2019 17:24

we paid £25 as an one off for the report however have never seen it, we are not copied or aware of any communication between. I am very curious and would like to see what was written in the report for her. We know the school's leavers' destination, its shared to all parents. I think this is standard to most state primary schools.

Sweetnhappy1 · 05/02/2019 17:25

We also had to pay for the references and they were written by the class teacher I think. WHS didn't ask until after the selection centre stage.

Sweetnhappy1 · 05/02/2019 18:12

Did WHS offer a day early last year? I feel like I've read that somewhere...

Jimjam68 · 05/02/2019 18:29

Don’t tease Sweetnhappy!

Sweetnhappy1 · 05/02/2019 18:31

Jimjam68 not teasing I promise, just do a lot of internet trawling when I am feeling a bit anxious...

winterishereithink · 05/02/2019 18:43

WHS did arrive earlier than expected last year BUT I think they were due to be posted on the Friday before half term and I think someone must have realised that may have not been the best idea when all the others were due to be posted on the Thursday...I think half term was earlier last year?

Bool · 05/02/2019 18:52

Half term last year was when KGS posted theirs - on the Friday. So that was super helpful given my post didn’t arrive until the Monday of half term...

Bool · 05/02/2019 18:53

What I am trying to say is that half term last year was the same as this

Bool · 05/02/2019 18:53

So if WHS posted earlier last year it wasn’t because of half term. (Clutching at straws they will post early this year Grin)

winterishereithink · 05/02/2019 18:54

Our KGS def arrived on the Friday, the same day as Emanuel. I remember it well! Bloody Ibstock was a week later!

winterishereithink · 05/02/2019 18:57

No- last year WHS posted early because of half term! I think just assume they will post when they said they would this year!

Bool · 05/02/2019 18:58

Yep but my post is snail mail. So didn’t get KGS until Mon. Will guarantee you all find out about WHS before me

Bool · 05/02/2019 18:58

That means that WHS posted a week later last year then eg the same week as KGS

decisionsdecisionssw15 · 05/02/2019 19:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sweetnhappy1 · 05/02/2019 19:07

Yes, this year WHS are due to post tomorrow and Emanuel on Thursday 14th.

winterishereithink · 05/02/2019 19:14

Yes- so WHS is actually earlier this year as half term is later.
Bool- if you don't get your post and can bear it, I'd email WHS- as I think I said, the Registrar is very nice!

1ndig0 · 05/02/2019 19:35

DD reminded me tonight that the funniest thing we saw on the “11 plus circuit” was a girl who, while waiting for her interview, was repeatedly doing the Rubiks cube in about ten seconds flat. Her mum kept messing it up and then timing her, counting loudly in Chinese. Maybe it was their way of calming the nerves, but it gave everyone else a laugh at least.

Did anyone’s DD do the G&L interview and what did they think about it?

Bool · 05/02/2019 19:40

@winterishereithink - I am sure half term is exactly the same this year as last. KGS results were posted just before half term last year and is the same this year

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