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

[FlumePlume]

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.

[Greenleave]

Would you consider moving Plumeflume. We thought of moving earlier if my daughter dont go to the near by one, I was feeling very excited about it as we have been living in our house for nearly 10 yrs, a change is nice.(I also have a younger child who is only in reception). SPGS is a great reason to move. Now as we have decided where to go and its only 25mins door to door so I am thinking of redecorating the spare room for her to move into and her younger sister to move into her room, switching around a little to be able to still have the feeling of moving, changing.

[xxxxxxhello]

FlumePlume- DD is at WHS having got a WL place- happy to share the details of how it all worked if you want to PM me.

[eponine8]

We did not like Tiffin and it seems quite remote from decent transport unless you are lucky and have a direct bus route (another issue we had with LEH; at least they have a decent bus). Going out of town you have a lot fewer options. Public bus or train and bus. Going to hammersmith there’s tube and overground to Olympia. If you are within reach of the bus from the village, even better.
A 20 minute walk could be hard - presumably she can take a bus instead? Most days indie schoolgirls are so laden with sports kit and heavy schoolbags (and possibly instruments) right from the off that many people I know living much closer to school are still driving to pick up, particularly in Y7/8 when the evenings are dark.

[HerdingPigs]

FlumePlume - DD s school have had a few precedent turning down SPGS for different reasons, and they are all happy and doing well. We are actually thinking about doing the same. It needs to be the right school for you DD and your family. And half term fee would be a hefty deposit to lose for most families.

[TheHuntingOfTheSarky]

Am I allowed to join in? We’re just waiting for Tiffin Girls on 1 March - we didn’t do any other entrance exams so if DD doesn’t get in she’ll be going to the local secondary. Any others in the same boat? Most of you seem to be going to go for private schools, which isn’t an option for us. Congratulations to those of you who got offers from your favourites though 🙂

[whatisgoingonMum]

Are there any tricks to bribe the registrar?

[Sweetnhappy1]

Flumeplume just to add, my DD got through to round 2 of Tiffin and waitlisted by PHS. That surprised me, I thought the two would be similar. It's not just WHS throwing up anomalies. I would contact the Registrar as people have suggested and tell them how keen you are.

[FlumePlume]

TheHunting Of course! It even has Tiffin in the title. I think there’s another Tiffin thread somewhere on the board, as well, but you’re most welcome here.

Greenleave Moving isn’t an option, for various reasons. I’m impressed at your energy in thinking of a house re-jig, I’m still in flop mode!

I will ponder all the very interesting and good points people have made. I think SPGS is the right school for dd in terms of fit (that’s why we applied), and she’s very lucky to have the offer. But I really do worry about the time the journey will take out of her day, if she did have a closer option. One for me (us) to think about. Is that the issue for you, Herding or is it something different that’s make it a tricky decision?

Ilike I haven’t heard much about NHEHS, but I hope you find some people who can shed some light on it.

[Glaciferous]

FlumePlume Like you, I worried about the journey time to both Tiffin and SPGS. It is 45 minutes to an hour for both from where we are, depending on travel choices. DD doesn't do extra-curricular stuff in the week but she does have about 40 mins minimum music practice to fit in most days and I will not lie - she has been shattered at times and sometimes gives it a miss which she would never have done before, because she loves it so much.

Having said that, I have been really pleasantly surprised at how minimal the homework load has been. So swings and roundabouts really. Most of her friends at other schools, both state and private, are getting way more homework than she has done.

However, it is a long day. They don't finish school until 4pm and it is nearly five by the time she's home and she is often very tired. I think it's a bit like when they start primary school - I suspect a lot of it is mental load.

She is honestly flourishing, though. She feels like she has really found her place and is so happy that it is lovely to see. I am very sure that we made the right decision for her - and I would go for whatever your heart tells you in your shoes.

[Glaciferous]

schoolgirls are so laden with sports kit and heavy schoolbags (and possibly instruments)

Also, just thought I would say, this will not be a problem at SPGS (unless you have a giant musical instrument to transport that you absolutely must take with you). Girls have a locker for sports kit that fits lax stick, boots etc and all clothing that they want to leave there, plus they also have a books locker in their form room. As they are allowed to use their phones at school, DD will usually take a photo of any page she needs for homework questions rather than toting an entire book home. And many girls just wear sports kit all day if they have games rather than bringing stuff in to change into, at least in the younger years. If they did want to change, their sports lockers have plenty of space to leave things at school. DD often wears sports leggings under her jeans and changes into a school polo shirt and whatever else is appropriate for the weather at school. But she is a chilly beast so doesn't mind an extra layer!

Even if you have a giant musical instrument, there are lots at school to use if you want to. DD often uses a school instrument for a lesson or club instead of transporting her own. This is totally fine and completely normal. Nobody minds. There is an entire room for string instrument storage for personal instruments plus another whole area for borrowable school instruments. Other instruments may have different arrangements!

So it is definitely possible to do it without massive bags or carting instruments around!

[WycombeGirls]

I think SPGS is the right school for dd in terms of fit
Then go for it. DCs get used to journey. It'll soon be part of her daily routine. I think you mentioned your DD loves music. As you probably know the school is great for musical DCs. Many girls wanted a place. Your DD has got it. Amazing.

[HerdingPigs]

Glaciferous - thank you so much for your insight. Very helpful!

FlumePlume - we are more local to NHEHS but if DD gets on the tube SPGS is not too long a journey. I actually preferred SPGS as DD would fit better into a bigger school but we feel NHEHS has a more diverse crowded(social background, ability, etc.). We were also hoping to secure some financial support from SPGS given the level of fees but it hasn't made much of a difference while NH has awarded DD a sizeable academic scholarship. DD likes both equally hence the hard decision!

[whycantwegoonasthree]

A good friend of mine's exceptionally bright and able daughter is at NHEHS, and she can't speak highly enough of it, for what it's worth.

[Thecazelets]

We had a similar set of choices and opted for Tiffin in the end. For us the school has been wonderful and dd is thriving academically and socially. We have another dc in a top indie to compare, and I don't think dd is missing out. The demographic is different, as you'd expect, but she has plenty of art, music and sport opportunities and the teaching is great. There's also been a huge amount of fun, despite the school's 'hothouse' reputation, and she has less homework and fewer exams than many of her friends at other schools. The difference for us financially has been substantial and I'm 100% happy with our decision. Obviously I would say that, as it's too late to change our minds, but we agonised for weeks and actually paid an indie deposit before choosing!

[eponine8]

Glaciferous - the weight of MIV schoolbags is an ongoing joke at SPGS... But you are right, they don’t at least have to carry their sports kit back and forth which is pretty unusual as most other schools do. Just seconding that the music (& music facilities( are absolutely incredible what with the Holst legacy etc.

[Glaciferous]

the weight of MIV schoolbags is an ongoing joke at SPGS

DD's is honestly fine. Taking pictures of questions set for homework instead of carting the books back and forth makes a big difference. And not having to take her own violin unless she wants to also makes a big difference to how encumbered she feels.

[FlumePlume]

glaciferous (and possibly eponine, sounds like you might have a dd there?) So useful to know those details, thank you! Dd is hoping to take up another instrument, so useful to know that there is an option to borrow a school one rather than trek it back and forth. On the homework, how much do they get on weekday evenings?

Herding I agree about a bigger school, I thought the same about Sutton High - lovely, friendly, but a bit on the small side as they get older.

Anyway, who else is waiting for Tiffin apart from TheHunting?

[Glaciferous]

DD has had between none and an hour or so. Very rarely a little more than an hour. They have a timetable for homework which is designed to ensure that they never get more than an hour and a half any night. However, I would say that DD has had far less than that. Teachers don't seem to set homework just because it is timetabled, only if there is something useful to do. So for instance DD is meant to have eg an hour of science homework a week in two half hour slots, but in fact has had actual homework about three times since the start of the year. The rest of the time she's had none or 'revise this topic for a test next week'.

Most of the time, DD's homework will take her about forty five minutes a night max. The homework timetable they get assumes they will do homework every weeknight and none at the weekend but DD would rather do a bit on Sunday morning and have less to do in the evenings. As long as it is handed in or learnt on time, there is definitely quite a bit of leeway.

There is no homework set in half term or holidays, which is nice!

[Jimjam68]

We are waiting on Tiffin but I’m not sure we will be swayed from WHS at this point, although financially it would obviously be great! Also sat the Sutton grammars and if it’s a no from Tiffin it may be a yes from Nonsuch but that really is a pig of a journey.

[Glaciferous]

Also, FlumePlume, if you wanted to ask about instruments and arrangements for borrowing one, I am sure they would be happy to answer any questions. Same with any other practical queries. I'd send an email and see what they say. I only really know about string instruments but I would imagine it's the same for other types of instrument. DD's second music instrument is voice, so only music to transport (she just started singing lessons this year and is really enjoying them).

[Sweetnhappy1]

Jimjam68 are you my twin? Waiting for Tiffin, if we don't get it may get Nonsuch but would have to think about moving house. Erring more towards WHS. WHS would be 20 minutes door to door vs 1 hour to Tiffin but obviously thinking about finances.

[Jimjam68]

Haha Sweetnhappy, it’s funny to think how many of us have stood in the same queues over the last 6 months or so!

[eponine8]

Hi Flume.... a little more each year than the last. Pretty easy in MIV and UIV for most of the time. Reading week once a term (no written homework). Occasionally a big essay will take a little longer but always a long time set for those. seems about the same as other more academic indie schools mentioned on this thread really.

[Glaciferous]

@FlumePlume,

Just to say, I have sent you a message. I did not notice yours until just now!

[WellWeSurvivedNowWhat]

So it's decision time. We've given lots of thought. And I've posted lots under a different name.
Can any one help with G&L?
We don't live in Hammersmith and would be at the lower end of the financial intake.
So I'm worried about DD.