Is Surbiton High still a ‘safe’ choice?

[autumnnightsaredrawingin]

Hi,
Daughter in year 5, so applying for private secondary schools now (from a state primary). She is bright, sporty and pretty confident, so we’re really hoping for Putney, LEH or Wimbledon. However I also really really liked Surbiton High and wanted to have a less academic school just in case, as the other 3 are really tough to get into... but a couple of people have mentioned Surbiton is not as easy to get into as it once was... any thoughts? Thanks.

@autumnnightsaredrawingin - I'm afraid that may well be true. I'd add some other schools into the mix. Maybe Ibstock or St Catherine's - will depend on where you are based. Have you signed up for Sutton mocks or any other ones so you can gauge how she's positioned?

The number sitting for Surbiton was actually higher about 5/6 years ago, search the MN threads. Its probably reduced because there's a better selction of state senior schools in the Richmond area now.

If your DD is bright enough for you to be considering LEH then SHS should be a given short of an exam disaster, but then you aleady have 2 other options. The current craze for sitting five entrance exams is driving the number of entrants up and gives the impression that there is a shortage of places when there isn't. For re-assurance look at the destinations list of girls prep schools and see how many end up without an 11+ place (zero). I have attached the offers chart for Rowans in Claygate, Bute House, The Study, Holy Cross and The Old Vicarage.

www.rowanprepschool.co.uk/Portals/0/Documents/FINAL%20Year%206%20Offers%20Chart%202017-2018.pdf?ver=2018-04-09-181814-327

www.butehouse.co.uk/images/assets/static/publications/moving-on/senior-school-places/11-plus-examination-results-2018-v2.pdf

www.oldvicarageschool.com/admissions/destination-of-leavers/

www.thestudyprep.co.uk/page/?title=Leavers+Destination+School+Offers&pid=50

www.holycrossprepschool.co.uk/page/?title=Moving+on+%2D+senior+school+destinations&pid=495

Afraid I don't know much about Surbiton, but I was recommended Sutton High School as a slightly less academic GDST option.
Similar position to you Autumn - DD in Y5 and applying from state primary, so will likely "see" you around!

The current craze for sitting five entrance exams is driving the number of entrants up and gives the impression that there is a shortage of places when there isn't.

Exactly. And yes, Surbiton is much easier to get into than say Tiffins.

Although I know at least 2 girls this year who got offers from Putney High and outright no's from Surbiton so not totally straightforward.

@sw19007 - well that wouldn't surprise me. Surbiton has always been considered l as academic than Putney.

I don't think it has really- was certainly seen as an easier choice a couple of years ago when DD sat the 11plus. Every girl who sat in her class got a place and some of them didn't get any others despite sitting schools like Ibstock. Definitely very bright girls there but more of range of abilities that the WHS, PHS, LEH etc.

@sw19007 - sorry my message was supposed to say that Surbiton has always been considered to be less academic than Putney.

We had Surbiton on our list for DD 4 years ago and didn't sit her for it in the end after DD did very well in the Sutton mocks and we were pretty confident that she'd get a place at at least one of the 3 schools she sat and/or a grammar place. Which was exactly what she did!

Nothing is straightforward because anyone can mess up in a one off entrance exam. But there is a wider range of abilities at SHS than at other schools, hardly surprising its a big intake.

And well done sandybayley for resisting temptation.

I don't know. I know quite a few who didn't get Surbiton offers who I thought would have.

The paper is quite specific in places - spelling & grammar to correct. A story to complete. A written personal statement. Quite different to many of the other 11+ indie exams. Maybe harder to prepare a story you have to complete, nowhere to hide having to correct a bunch of tricky spellings.

Personally I think Putney, LEH & Wimbledon are a very narrow range, all v selective and you do need to go a bit wider ability wise from a state school as you have no real gauge. Surbiton probably does fill that space for you.

Thanks so much for all the feedback. I will have a think. I haven’t put her in for any of the Sutton mocks, didn’t even know that was an option... StellaRae, good luck to you and your DD too! Would be funny if they ended up in the same school!

I’ve looked at Ibstock and Emanuel and both are off my list, both lovely schools but not right for us. Maybe I do need one other though...

Sadly we are not in the right postcode to apply for Tiffins.

@autumnnightsaredrawingin - get cracking on booking for Sutton mocks. They sell out very quickly are are quite soon - May or June. I think.

Actually they've sold out already!

Yep, just looked and sold out. Oh well! Will have a think about whether to add a 5th or not, and if so, which!

You can use Tiffin stage 1 as a diagnostic - if your dd gets through that, then SHS is likely to be ok as a back up. If not, you’re looking at different options (I think places like Claremont Fan, but we didn’t do them so not sure - if you search for this year’s “Tiffin looms” thread I’m pretty sure there was a list on there somewhere).

It’s worth knowing that WHS throws up some odd results, due to their heavy reliance on VR and NVR (which other private schools no longer use). It’s quite usual to get one (but not both) of WHS and PHS. Or even Tiffin but not WHS.

Thanks Flume but we’re not in the right postcode for Tiffin, so don’t think we can apply even for stage 1? Will have a look for the post you mentioned, thanks.

@autumnnightsaredrawingin - are you sure you're not in the right postcode for Tiffin? If you're looking at WHS, PHS and LEH I'd be surprised if you weren't. Don't forget there is inner and outer catchment areas. SW19 is outer (for instance).

If purely only for the number of girls it accepts into Yr 7. It's a numbers game. HOWEVER, the exam getting harder (new head), apparently. Nothing is a sure bet, but I would definitely have it on your list

Everyone can register to sit exams for Tiffin, also if you are late for Sutton mocks you can register to sit actual exam in September to get an idea if you DD gets into round 2.
Wandsworth test (if your DD takes it) will give you a very good indication on VR/NVR for WHS.
We have just been through the process, good luck for the next year.

Thank you. Yes DD will do the Wandsworth test.

WHS and PHS take a much lower number (as well as WHS having odd results!) so in your current 3 you definitely need a banker and I think Surbiton is a decent bet if the other 3 are realistic for you.

I also think the Wandsworth test is handy for the Wimbledon High VR and NVR. We are SW18 and got into Tiffin so I'd also be surprised if you are not in the designated area. I'm pretty sure anyone can sit stage 1 but the stage 2 won't get marked if you are not in the inner or designated area. Passing stage 1 gives a good benchmark for the schools you have mentioned although my DD got into Tiffin and WHS but not PHS. My DD didn't do very well in the Sutton mocks so I wouldn't worry too much about missing those.