Private Education for 'average' kids

[cheese10]

Hi. I'd welcome any advice on where to send my twin girls who are articulate, sporty, 'normal' kids who meet expectations at school but not exceeding in anything. Looking at SW London/Surrey Schools - Epsom, St Johns, KGS, Sutton High, Surbiton High etc.......

Defintiely, and one man's average is another man's brilliant etc

academic is only one strand of intelligence

Priorsfield?
Where do you live?
Would you move?

Pleas don't listen to all the hysteria. There is an oversupply of girls school places in Surrey even this year, except the top academic schools and the popular London coed schools such as Ibstock. An average girl will get a place at most of the schools listed. It helps is they are talented in a sport or instrument. Now an average boy is another matter.

I totally agree with Guiloak. There are so many options for girls. There are a lot of girls schools and then some of the schools that were previously boys only have oped up to girls, thus halving the number of places for boys but making it even easier for girls. All the schools mentioned, even SHS, SWPS and KGS have 'average' students. Not everyone at these schools are brilliant by any means. Will your DD get a place, maybe, maybe not but as there are decidedly average DC at these schools then some average DC obviously got in. You are lucky in that DDs can apply to as many schools as they can manage. Sit her for whatever schools you like out of your list and then ass a couple of softer options like St Cats Twickenham or Epsom. St John's and Ibstock are a bit random as they have a broader level of abilities there so you would think it would be easy to get a place but they can be quite random.

I would have to agree with the poster above. This was my third 11+ process (and thankfully my last!) and it has been the toughest out of all of them. I do think hatder for boys than girls in south west London. At one of the schools this year there were 900 candidates (I know as we are at the end of the alphabet and candidate numbers were done alphabetically)When we sat the exams for the same school 4 years ago there were around 500. I have no idea why it was so crazy this year!

Yep, i've been through it twice, and will again in 2 years. my 2 who've been through it are kids who sit within top end of class but not genius. they didnt get super selective schools.
yeah it can be random, yeah some surprising things happen, but there are few safe seats these days!

A few things to bear in mind (in no particular order):
There is great info to be gleaned on MN but there is no substitute for doing a lot of research into the nuts and bolts of each school. At times the 11+ felt like a 2nd full-time job!
The vast majority of kids are "average" albeit on a sliding scale - there are really not that many geniuses out there (it's just that it can sound like it on MN!).
You have to be realistic about your DC, both what they can achieve (ie don't panic just because everyone tells you how brilliant X or Y child is compared to all the others, especially at a state school, where it is easy for assumptions to be made in Reception which are entirely unwarranted by Yr6!); and what they possibly can't (ie don't fall into the trap of thinking that just because they are great at something, they are better than everyone else!) Try not to get caught up in everyone else's views about it all.
Look at loads of schools, even ones you are pretty sure you don't want, to get a real feel for the similarities and differences and to debunk any myths.
Definitely follow the advice about "aspirational / realistic / back up" but how many you apply to is about your DC and what they can cope with - be confident on that.
You can go to a tutor to get an idea of where to pitch, but also bear these things in mind (again, no particular order): to decide on the likelihood of an offer, don't only go on exam results. Think about "type of person" (all schools deny they have a "type" but really try to get a feel when you go round - and from comments about the schools eg on MN - and you may find that there sort of is); size of intake - a school that is very small and has a feeder primary may not get the "best"results but could be harder to get into; location - schools in London proper can have more people applying because of a wider "catchment" and ease of transport; school gates chat: be realistic about applying to the schools everybody is talking about, ie apply if you want to but have less popular back ups.
Whilst next year may be easier than this year, be very wary of following advice that might be even a couple of years out of date. There were a number of kids this year (including girls) who didn't get offers (though some got in on waitlist) dare I say it partly because of a lack of realism about their chances and not wanting to apply to what they saw as "lesser" schools. Try not to listen to the echo chamber. You must be honest with yourself about your DC (not just academic ability; also character and interests) and you (namely what it is you are really looking for in a private education). Lastly, it's hard to lose in the areas you are talking about - they really are all great (though of course not perfect) schools which will do well by any child with a supportive family and vaguely positive attitude!

I thought I'd input here a little. Whilst opinions are interesting, they are always subjective and may be outdated.
All schools have one main objective - however they achieve this in different ways and it really is about finding the right school for YOUR child.
My child attends Radnor House and we have been incredibly impressed with the support and encouragement they (& we) have received in the years there. The Head says and very much stands by the view that all schools aim to educate children but all children are different and therefore different schools suit different children (check out their video on the website).
Go and visit the schools, ask questions, feel the vibe and talk to current parents if you can. Try and imagine your child at the school. Happy children learn and I truly feel that Radnor support and encourage to achieve results, rather than extreme pressure and that the children here (mine included) thrive in that environment. From what I understand Radnor has become far more academically selective - it is not a 'soft option' but it really values children, it reviews the school report and all children are interviewed as part of assessment so do not purely base selection on academic achievement alone. Try not to get too caught up with the playground mafia and hysteria and think about your children and where you think they will thrive and be happy