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Secondary education

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Original poster

Latymer Upper 11+ exams 2019

101 replies

Whyisitallsostressful · 08/01/2019 12:51

I was wondering if anyone’s child took the Latymer upper exams today and if so how they found it?
My DD was in the morning session and thought it went reasonably well, but said maths was harder than the English, but we don’t really have anything to compare it to other than past papers.

OP posts:
NewLondonMom1 · 31/01/2019 12:30

Thank you 1ndig0, ObamaLlama, Needmoresleep and piecedtogether for your input!

HeadSpinning2019 · 31/01/2019 13:06

Yes. Thanks all from me also for information on the interview and most importantly the school itself.
It will all be really helpful if we are in the very unlikely position of having an offer in 2 weeks time!

HeadSpinning2019 · 02/02/2019 12:22

Help again please.
Another request for advice, what to wear to the interview.
First letter said "smart casual" and "not uniform".
Second letter said whatever you feel comfortable in.
We've been sticking to uniform for everything as it removes the need to decide on alternatives which is always a stress event in this house! (Not for me!)

HeadSpinning2019 · 02/02/2019 12:56

DD has decided to go in jeans and trainers!
So be it!

Abetes · 02/02/2019 14:03

If it says not uniform, I wouldn’t go in uniform. Some places say that so that the state school children aren’t put off by the prep school kids who turn up in blazers with copious colours/prefect badges etc all over them.
Smartish jeans without holes all over them, shirt/t shirt, jumper/fleece will be fine.

ObamaLlama · 02/02/2019 14:06

Nobody was in uniform for DD’s interview so definitely don’t go in uniform. It looks like you are either showing off the prep yr child goes to or making a point they are from the state sector. My DD didn’t wear jeans, she dressed as she would for a smartish meal, so for her that was a skirt and top with tights and boots. Good luck!

Toomuchpressure169 · 02/02/2019 20:39

How did Latymer interview go today? Am curious and perhaps being paranoid but no mental maths questions or on any other subject? Not the same format as last few years or his sibling who is already there? Could depend on which teacher but just inquisitive 😬

ObamaLlama · 02/02/2019 21:13

@toomuchpressure169 what did they ask then? No knowledge based questions at all?

Quadrophinia · 02/02/2019 21:48

No maths here. A passage to read, a picture to discuss, a ‘big question’ (something about what single thing could have the most impact in making the world s better place) and lots of personal questions.

Toomuchpressure169 · 03/02/2019 08:09

Thank you @quadrophinia - seems our interview took the same format, lots of finding out about the child, (what words would your friends best describe you as a person?) A picture to interpret, a passage to read and then discuss plus a ‘big question’ (what is the world’s biggest threat/problem and what would you do to tackle it?).

Just interested to find out if others were asked maths/science questions? Anyway it seemed a very enjoyable experience judging by the smile on exit which am happy about (they’re only 10/11 after all) it just wasn’t what we were expecting!

NewLondonMom1 · 03/02/2019 08:25

We had no maths questions as well. Quite surprised about that. We got the same 'world's biggest threat/problem' question and a passage and loads of personal questions. My DD was quite disappointed as she went in expecting maths questions, especially as her interviewer was a maths teacher!
Would be curious to hear more about other experiences.

Toomuchpressure169 · 03/02/2019 10:01

Perhaps it was this particular teacher as we had a maths teacher too! - mr Cooper ?

piecedtogether · 03/02/2019 10:12

Years ago DS had no maths question either. But he had a big question.

EdwinaMarlow · 03/02/2019 10:35

Possibly the fact everyone on here was heralding a maths question means the school decided to adjust the format? They presumably have a good idea how their maths is from the exam.

AnotherYearOfChaos · 04/02/2019 08:41

No maths q for us either.
It was the last exam/interview - with the first in November and my DD had definitely and very suddenly gone flat.
Not a great end to the process.
With other interviews she came out full of energy and smiling having really enjoyed the challenge.
Really sad for her as she absolutely loved the school.

I know it's hugely competitive and so odds against anyway..

Mamaof2cuties · 04/02/2019 13:19

Ha, same here with my DD. Not the same school but had an interview every day last week. At the last one, she was asked if she had plans for the weekend and she said no because according to her, he was asking about plans not what she does normally and that in any case she was tired. Oh well. Good luck to everyone.

AnotherYearOfChaos · 04/02/2019 17:23

Sorry to hear yours ended in a similar way @Mamaof2cuties

NewLondonMom1 · 06/02/2019 17:40

It was a long drawn out process for all of them! My DD was actually quite done at the beginning of January, after the first two exams! She had just two more to go, but a day off in between and that just put her in "I am done" mode!

Toomuchpressure169 - We didn't have Mr Cooper. We had someone else. But it seems like the same format across the board. I am not quite sure why they got rid of the maths questions this year.

AnotherYearOfChaos · 08/02/2019 10:30

@NewLondonMom1 it's easy to forget they are still only 10/11 - the process is brutal at such a young age.

Nomore11plus · 15/02/2019 20:48

Anyone with good news from Latymer upper and Godolphine & Latymer?

Desperatelyseekinganswers · 15/02/2019 21:10

Yes. Delighted, offers from both. Instincts are towards Latymer Upper. Although grades have dropped a little in 2018 just feel it is an amazingly well rounded, diverse and exciting place. But recognise that G&L is doing very well in terms of results.

NewLondonMom1 · 16/02/2019 07:18

We have offers from both too!! And we also love Latymer! It just seems like the right fit for our DD. But Godolphin is such a lovely school as well that it can’t be discounted.

AnotherYearOfChaos · 16/02/2019 08:08

We have offers from both too! LEH also.
Great schools. Not sure what to do yet.

Needmoresleep · 16/02/2019 10:23

Well done everyone!

And I hope that those that did not get offers have good offers elsewhere.

If you are on the wait list and still want the place, it is worth writing a nice email almost straight away and saying that the school was your and first choice, and why, and that you would like to remain on the list.

And if you don't want your offer or WL place, do tell them straight away.

Desperately, results in all these schools are good, and will vary from year to year. They cannot be compared. LU takes on lots in the sixth form, and we were there took on several who were, say, very arty and who would contribute to the life of the school, but may not have been headed for top grade academic A levels. G&L offers IB which is a different sort of qualification altogether and suits some, but not all. Where do you think your DD will thrive?

Desperatelyseekinganswers · 16/02/2019 11:00

Yes I completely appreciate this and hence am not really worried. And frankly secondary school, such a formative time for kids, is not just about grades but about the children and teachers, the rich experiences along the way. We are sold.

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