SW London girls independent/grammars thread 2020

[autumnnightsaredrawingin]

Last year, there were two amazing threads which were super helpful about exactly this, so I wanted to start a thread for girls due to start September 2020. If anyone from last year wants to contribute please do!

We have narrowed our choices down to 5, sadly not in the right postcode for Tiffin, and decided not to do the Sutton grammars.

So, she will be doing PHS, WHS, LEH, SHS and Woldingham. Also registered for Emanuel but we may pull that one.

I remember last year PHS also did not offer a second 11+ exam day, but they did offer my DD to come when 6th form were doing their exams. That date also clashed for us, so poor DD ended up having 2 exams on the same day.

@ColaPip, I did tell PHS about our clash, and why we couldn’t move to the Surbiton alternative date as that created another clash. So they offered the 4th.

Regarding the Surbiton taster day clash with Emanuel, I would skip the taster/interactive stuff in a heartbeat. I don’t think it’s anything essential.

Cola my Dd did the Surbiton day last week and was underwhelmed. They wrote a poem, talked about genes and inheritance and did a reasoning type question about family trees. And the cookies weren't very nice. I don't think you will lose anything by skipping it.

We also have the LEH/KGS clash but in previous years KGS have offered an alternative date on the Saturday when they have their 10+ exam. I am really hoping they do that again as two exams in a day will be terrible.

Emanuel offering a different interview date- they won’t! They are super strict about it I think.

They have to be. The numbers of applicants are vast and they interview most/all. It's not a reflection of the strictness of the school generally. Just that it wouid all go badly wrong if they were making changes (other than for absolute emergency).

How on earth does it work if your child is sick on one of these days?

I totally understand the need for being firm with dates but is there some flex if they are genuinely unwell?

Yes all schools have a back up date for sickness but you have to ring on the day you are enrolled to sit & preferably gets a doctor's note to find out the back up date! (It's normally 7 days later).

Re Emanuel- yes absolutely, totally understand they can’t change dates unless an emergency otherwise you’d have everyone trying to change and it would be a logistical nightmare.

I’m sure if a child is sick they will be allowed to do the exam on a different day but I’d definitely be ringing up the dr to get a note to make sure it’ll be accepted as a real illness.

Phillipa- sorry to hear your daughter was underwhelmed by the Surbiton morning. My daughter is really excited about hers, hope she enjoys it.

Counting the days to the Wimbledon first stage results... does anyone know if first stage an outright yes or no, or do they have a waiting list for the next stage?!

I believe it is a straight yes or no, next Thursday

No waiting list for WHS Stage 1, just a yes or no. Will be a relief to find out either way!

We're giving the Surbiton taster morning a miss next week, unless a waiting list place comes up for the Wednesday session. Hope your DD enjoys it autumn.

Illness would normally count as a truly exceptional circumstance, and there will be some unallocated interview slots that can be used. But not a large number, which is why schools with high applicant numbers find themselves having to be strict

This thread was amazingly helpful last year (lurker alert!) when DD was y4. Helped narrow our list (DD high attaining but dyslexic), but things have changed with Heads etc at JAGs, so will be following with interest. A couple of people have mentioned Sutton High - it wasn’t on our radar but seems to be a GDST like WHS/PHS/SCHS? It’s commutable for us from Clapham in about 25 minutes, which would be very do-able, Not starting all this til next year but does anyone have any info on Sutton High? What’s the testing? Anyone with DDs there? Also any news on new JAGS head?

Corblimbea dd did Sutton High last year - it’s just one day of exams, computer test and interview, and you hear before Christmas. It’s got a good reputation for being nurturing and supporting girls with additional needs, so I think definitely worth a look. Dd knows girls who go there, and they are happy with it - and they are a mixture of sporty, musical, arty etc. It doesn’t seem to have a type.

Thanks @FlumePlume - massively appreciate you replying. Sounds good. Did your DD like Sutton High when you visited? Would love to hear from any one else who knows it. So glad SpGS working out so well for your DD and thanks for taking the time to help on here this year too!

@Corblimbea My daughter is at Sutton High, just started in Y7. She is really happy and has settled well. She's enjoying the new mix of subjects and the clubs etc secondary school has to offer.
The school has a new head, who seems quite energetic and I think will be good. I believe the school has also received funding from the GDST for a few projects - adding some new facilities and some refurbishment.

Sutton does not try to be, never mind want to be, one of the more high octane schools usually discussed on these threads - the pastoral care is usually highlighted and that is something they're very good with. But I'm confident my DD (who is bright, genuinely) will do well there.
As @FlumePlume says, there's a mix of girls there so no "type" and there's real diversity.
The school and the head both post on twitter quite a bit so maybe have a search there too. I did last year when going through the process!

Thanks so much - definitely added to our list! Just been on the website and read a newsletter article saying they have more applications this year. 300 for year 7. Do you think it’s very competitive to get in? @Brooknlea

Also - has anyone on this thread entered schools for 10+? I can see KGS, Emanuel, Old Palace and Sutton seem to offer it. Just wondering about this as a route in early? Any other schools who offer this?

Sorry if I’ve missed it but is anyone doing the JAGs exam in January? Does anyone know how many places they have and how many sit the exam? Thanks

@Corblimbea yes, Sutton has had a larger number of applicants this year. My feeling is this reflects the local schools "arms race" with many people writing 5 schools rather than 3 and seeing Sutton as their "banker". In the past Sutton has been easier than many to get into, though not automatic, and I think this will probably continue.

Also, afaik Sutton does not a 10+ exam, just 11+ or else girls come up from the prep school.

Good luck for next year!

DD got through the first stage at Wimbledon- what a relief! Hope all your DDs got good news too 🤞🏻

OMG revolution how did you find out?! Were they in today’s post?! Congratulations to your daughter! I’m at work so no way of finding out until later!

Are they posting letters? Or is the info on the website?

Just checked. Nothing on admissions website.

We got an email (possibly because we’re abroad?). Maybe they’re doing letters for people who live in the UK?

Apologies if I’ve worried you! I just assumed everyone had gotten the email at the same time.

Phew!! Nothing in the post for us either but that would make sense if they posted the letters and sent the emails at the same time. Will calm down now (thanks for clarifying x)