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 results day looms, a second 2019 SW London grammars and indies thread

559 replies

FlumePlume · 13/02/2019 20:14

A new thread to avoid the doomsday scenario of running out of posts as envelopes are opened on Friday, waiting lists move (or don’t) and e-mails are opened on 1 March.

OP posts:
Heresmynewname · 04/03/2019 09:41

@Juggling we have a very similar choice to yours. Finally decided for G&L last night (and am heading there now to drop the forms and cheque) but can’t help having a niggling doubt that we are making the wrong choice....FWIW, I thought LU had the edge....

JugglingMadly · 04/03/2019 10:03

We gave DD the choice.
All great schools and she had done so well to get in to them.
Only fair!

amidaiwas · 04/03/2019 10:11

I think you've done the right thing Juggling. At the end of the day school is school and there'll be times when she's miserable! Far better for her to have made the final decision out of schools you're more than happy with.

Toomuchpressure169 · 04/03/2019 10:25

You’ve done the right thing @juggling. Was in a similar position 3 years ago with my second choosing between LU & G&L. Gave her the choice as she’d had her heart set on LU for 2 years-only fair!

Anyone hear of movement on the waitlists yet?? G&L in particular Hmm

Heresmynewname · 04/03/2019 10:37

@Toomuchpressure, G&L are holding one last tour today, so I guess WL movement may start from this afternoon? More likely from tomorrow afternoon, though, as that’s the acceptance deadline

Bool · 04/03/2019 11:04

No news from PHS my end.....

1ndig0 · 04/03/2019 11:23

Bool - is the PHS deadline 12pm? Do you also need to drop off the KGS forms by then? (Sorry I’m getting confused with all the schools and different deadlines)?

Bool · 04/03/2019 12:02

@1ndig0 - the deadline was 9am today I think. The KGS deadline is wed. If I don’t hear back this afternoon I will go to KGS and accept - the forms are all filled out. Getting a bit fed up of it all now to be honest.

Toomuchpressure169 · 04/03/2019 12:13

@Heresmynewname thanks for the info on g&l. I wonder if they’ve over offered and may not even touch the waitlist?! Just wish they’d give us some colour..

@Bool yes, the PHS deadline was 9am this morning. Surprisingly there was only one other parent like me in reception, handing in forms at the last minute to see if a waitlist place came up elsewhere. They will be frantic but still call them!

Like you and many others I’m sure - am over it now..

Bool · 04/03/2019 12:52

Called PHS. All places have been filled. They love to keep it open with ‘there may be changes’ - whatever that means - but I pinned her down to a position that yes all places are full. KGS it is!!!!

1ndig0 · 04/03/2019 13:10

Well congrats Bool and KGS is a fab school!

The thing is, whichever school they end up in, they never really look back once you’re settled and have made friends.

So I guess PHS didn’t go far down their WL then?

Bool · 04/03/2019 13:13

They said they hadn’t needed to go to waiting list at all and have received acceptances for all available places. But that things can move as other schools go to waitlist. So I think they are aware they may lose people if that happens - but as we can see that is far from sure. And indeed KGS is a great school and she will be with her brother. Easier logistically. Onwards and upwards!!! @Geogra - what are you doing now? WHS?

1ndig0 · 04/03/2019 13:29

Well they must have over-offered by a fair bit then. In our school, at least 6 were offered places there and I think only one is actually going. That’s just from one school. Also, didn’t someone on here saythat wl places were being offered on Thu / Fri last week and friends were taking them up?

Bool · 04/03/2019 13:34

That was WHS. They definitely go to waitlist. I am not sure PHS did over offer a lot as they said they had building work about to start so had to be cautious. Maybe they pitched it just right

Toomuchpressure169 · 04/03/2019 13:51

Bool well done, KGS is a fantastic school and a lot to be said for logistics them being in one place, same term dates etc. You’re right about PHS, they have a huge new science block they are just about to start works on and will take over a year. Am sure they were cautious. Would you take up a place at a later date if you were offered?

Bool · 04/03/2019 14:00

@toomuchpressure - yep just need to get used to it. I am ex-gdst and could see her at PHS. Like @whycantwegoonasthree it is like a chain is broken! See you at KGS @Why can’t!!! I don’t think i would take it up now honestly as is just too unsettling for DD and we lose the deposit. We now face KGS super positively - my DS is super happy there Grin

HerdingPigs · 04/03/2019 14:03

Juggling and Here - we were in very similar situation last week. Eventually went for the one DD really likes - with all these west London top schools (all within 30 mins commute time), she has chosen City! Very stressful evening (as City does exploding offer) that was!! It was odd releasing the other offers...almost slightly painful knowing DD worked so far to get into these schools. But I think we all have made the right decision as they are all clever and sensible girls (to get into these fab schools!) and I trust they know what they want at this age. They will have a lovely time in the school they choose, and the place released will benefit other DDs who really want a place in these schools.

Thesunalwaysshines · 04/03/2019 14:08

Congrats Bool! I have DD at KGS. She loves it! We chose it over PHS for a few reasons but largely because its co Ed. I went to a co Ed school - so single seemed very strange to me. I guess if you had a bad experience, it could send you the other way!

1ndig0 · 04/03/2019 14:11

Where is City Herding Pigs?

I know what you mean about declining the offers - once they’re gone, they’re gone! I drove past SPGS yesterday and had a sudden pang as to whether we did the right thing there. But she didn’t want to go there, so what can you do? I think some of the people in the interview waiting room put her off and the man who interviewed her too.

HerdingPigs · 04/03/2019 14:16

1ndig0 We turned down SPGS too - so I know what you mean! City is in the City of London between Barbican and Moorgate, which adds a good 30 minutes onto the commute (one way). She likes it a lot - what can we do...

Bool · 04/03/2019 14:16

@thesunalwaysshines - yes here we go. And hockey not lacrosse Grin. They will all be happy in the end I am sure.

Bool · 04/03/2019 14:20

Ps tried to quiz KGS on where they were for any lurkers on the waitlist there. They weren’t giving anything away....

1ndig0 · 04/03/2019 14:22

Herding - they know what they want these girls!

Bool · 04/03/2019 14:26

Makes me happy for the sisterhood! Some smart girls getting some great education! Go go

Original poster
FlumePlume · 04/03/2019 14:52

Just had an email from WHS - they are not expecting to offer any more now. Which confirms we made the right decision not to wait for a last-minute offer.

I have to say, turning down Tiffin just now felt very odd. All that effort, and then to say no!

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread