13+ boys for London's top day schools

[haderrakh]

Hello, I would like to start a thread on 2019 13+ Westminster, St Paul's, City, King's Wimbeldon, Dulwich admissions. Also curious about 11+ USC and Latymer Upper.

Who is applying to these? How is it going?

My son will be sitting all of these exams in January 2020

[Westbournemum]

@Mamahooni @mrsbobble

Many boys get onto the waitlist for SPS at 13+ and end up going there - sometimes it just means a longer wait. I even know boys from DS’s prep that even got a flat ‘no’ in Year 6 and then got retested in Year 8 (not sure how) and ended up there.

Out of interest, are your DSs doing any 11+ schools? I was told by the SPS registrar that only 13+ boys also applying for 11+ schools would be interviewed before Feb Half term, but it seems perhaps this isn’t the case?

[Mamahooni]

@Westbournemum...Thank you for your reassuring words. A mistake on my part but we only applied to SPS for 13plus.

[dinosaurinmybelly]

How is everyone doing? Westminster email arrived today and DS has an offer. We are obviously thrilled, but now weighing up the decision of Westminster or SPS at 13+. Get a good vibe from each for different reasons, commute for Westminster just marginally simpler, but would take just as long.Both will have new heads arriving this September. Anyone else deciding between these two?

[Westbournemum]

DS got an offer from Westminster yesterday, which we are delighted to have received. However, as he didn’t do any 11+ schools he hasn’t been seen by SPS yet and won’t be seen until mid-March. Finding the process very drawn out!

[Tiredofelevenplus]

Hi, DS also had a 13+ offer from Westminster (haven’t sat SPS, as I was told I missed the deadline this year - have just moved from abroad). We haven’t had a chance to visit either school (Westminster visit booked for 2nd week March). I didn’t know that Westminster had a new Head coming in... Do you know anything about him? Do you think that the school is still that much ahead academically in comparison to most other schools in London...? Or is it leveling out...? Important consideration as the school is so so so expensive... Thank you very much for your help!

[pinky11plus]

How many places have been offered for Westminster 13+?

[Tiredofelevenplus]

I believe that they had around 65 places for non-WU candidates, but they probably over-offered a little bit...

[Talksunderwater]

The new Headmaster of Westminster (joining in Sept) is the current head at Alleyns. He was Under Master (deputy Head) at Westminster before he went to Alleyns. I have a DS at Westminster and all the teachers I have spoken to about the new Headmaster are thrilled he is coming back and think he’ll be great.

As for the academics, as the results tables show, it’s very similar to SPS, KCS and others. It’s their culture and everything else these schools offer that makes them different from each other - in my view it’s best to choose the school which you think will suit your DS best in terms of culture/fit and inspire his interest in things other than purely academics.

In terms of fees, yes Westminster is very expensive but bear in mind there are no extra fees for food (included) or coach services (there are none, given it’s central location) so the total cost is not as much more than other schools as it first appears.

[Tiredofelevenplus]

It is so difficult to get a good idea of a school’s culture and fit during a standard run of the mill tour/Q&A session. We came back to the UK a few months ago, so do not have links with families from any of the potential schools (actually, have not even been able to visit all of the schools yet, unfortunately...). Will ask for a meeting with the Head of DS’s Prep School - he will certainly be more knowledgeable than I am!

[haderrakh]

@dinosaurinmybelly I am potentially choosing between these two. DS got Westminster offer and SP Reserve list, but I am quite confident he can get in SP as well as he is on a growing curve and year 8 tests should only be easier. Westminster was always our top choice but I quite liked SP after the visit.
I have some concerns that W may be too traditional - I see most kids pursue traditional tracks afterwards like hisotry and languages. My son is techy and is into modern careers like computer science, engineering, etc. Some people are concerned about W sports - less of an issue for me. My son isn't competitive at sports but he likes it. His sportier friends will be choosing different schools when they can.

[user34254356]

We are also in the same position and I have the same reservations ie SPS more modern and focused on modern subjects and STEM. Can a current Westminster parent please dispel this possible misconception?

Also the SPS "campus" is excellent with all facilities housed within a single location. You really get a university feel from it.

[SARTN]

My son has been invited for Westminister 2nd stage 13+ in Jan 2021, please could someone share how to prepare for second stage papers and interview ? Type of questions asked ? English is it comprehension and writing ? Will appreciate all your experience.

[Morag72]

We’ve also got Westminster interview next week and second stage exam - which will be on zoom. Would be keen to know the types of English questions asked in particular.

[cloudscatter]

Interested to know how the Westminster exams will work. Will they invigilate via Zoom? A few schools seem to have gone for that option, I hear it hasn't worked terribly well in some cases.

I believe there are Westminster practice papers available on platforms like Atom but will the exam be a different format this year?

[Morag72]

@cloudscatter - there is a one on one zoom interview. Then a zoom exam - which is 15 min descriptive writing & 15 minute maths problem solving. Still waiting on more details but they will invigilate the zoom in small groups.

[LickEmbysmiling]

Another grammar 13+ mum said her sons strongest subject is English but he failed 13 + on it.
What do people mean, requires critical thinking skills?.

[Motherdare]

Can I revive this thread to ask people for some guidance re Hampton, KCS and SPS?

DS is lucky enough to have offers for 2 of them and potentially all 3 in the coming by week or so.

What sort of boy do you think fits each school? A rough pen sketch suggests Hampton: sporty, KCS: artsy, SPS: STEM.

Am I way off?

[Singingrain1223]

The admissions process ensures there is a mixture at all these schools.
My ds is at Hampton and has passed the age when 13 plus join. There are plenty of non sporty boys who are into music, drama etc. Actually they play less timetabled sport than you would imagine as the games session has a lesson after lunch before it starts so it's not a full afternoon.
I would have thought that IB and girls in the sixth form is the biggest difference between Hampton and KCS plus their locations.

[SARTN]

Hi parents...the sun is shinning for my son today. Offer received for KCS 11+, St Pauls 13+, Hampton 13+. Only pending results is for Westminster 13+. I am in such a big dilemma - I am prepared to move house so travelling is not an issue. Just want to know re St Pauls vs KCS vs Westminster. Does the name St Pauls and Westminster carry the weight for future schools? What is the benefit of having the option for IB at KCS? Does numbers sent to Oxbridge matter?
What a pleasant dilemma to be in but hard dilemma
Any opinions or advise much appreciated.

[SARTN]

Does anyone know westminster 13+ results day ?

[DoctorFoster]

The original 13+ timeline had 'end of February' for the 13+ Westminster admissions emails, 11+ timeline was for today (12th) but no idea whether they are managing to keep to this with all the covid jiggling around.