NO offer London Independent Schools

[mama99]

Hi there. We are an international family relocating to London in the summer. My DD applied to the 11+ consortium schools and Cheltenham's Ladies College.

She got an offer from CLC and Queens Gate

However, to our deep disappointment, we got a waitlist spot in Channing and NO offers from other schools.

We thought she had done well because she was invited for an interview at South Hampstead (SHHS) - who supposedly invite only successful candidates)

We had hoped for an offer from Francis Holland Sloane Sq or SHHS

Now - my dilemma:

• should we look at other schools? (KPS)
• accept queens gate (which was not our top choice but loved the location)
• wait for the WL in Channing
• try boarding (I'm hesitant , feel she is too young at 11)

Thank you - we are not locals so this is very sad and overwhelming

[Globaliser]

CLC is a top school. Great academics and sport. FHSS is very good but not as academic. Go for CLC for boarding or FHSS for day.

[Midlifephoenix]

The op did say Queens Gate, other posters got confused!
I'm curious to know where her daughter ended up going now!

[KittyWithStripes]

@curious79 I think you might have missed the boat a bit, this is a zombie thread from a year ago and I think you're talking about Queens Gate, not Queens College. Both lovely schools but easy to confuse!

[curious79]

I went to CLC and personally couldn’t stand it... but that was many years ago. The green uniform fills me with revulsion. That aside.... think distance. Your daughter may be able to weekly board but Cheltenham is a fair old schlep. 2 hours hard drive from London or train to Paddington. And that’s if you can get out of Kensington easily enough. Queensgate is considered less academic, more artsy (though their girls go all over the place after). Very different vibe. You’ve got CLC with its 200yr old library and traditions, vast playing fields, facilities, but 2 hrs away. Or QG - by museums, Hyde Park, facilities limited and crammed into stucco fronted townhouses but see DD every day

[Wowzel]

I've stayed at CLC for a hockey course in their boarding facilities and the rooms are lovely and it was a really nice environment.

Not sure what it is like to be an actual student there though.

[HuntingtonHaven18]

Although it was a long time ago, I went to QC and loved it so much. We walked up to Regent’s Park for games so plenty of space there!

[StultusLodovicus2016]

What PatienceVirtue suggests is very close to what insiders in the North London Consortium (which include FH) say you should do if you find yourself on a waiting list and really want to get in.

[BlitheSpirit]

Hi. Wondering if Fulham School (which, I believe, is relatively new as an independent senior school) might be worth checking out for either the Prep or the Senior School (not sure of the age ranges, the Senior School might start at 13). The Good Schools Guide says positive things about it. Best of luck!

[mama99]

Makes sense. Thanks !

[PiedImperial]

The admissions process is not transparent, and schools do not publish exam results, because it's not just a case of them offering places to the 100 girls (or however many) that scored highest in the exams.

They look at a bigger picture, hence the interviews, and take into account extracurricular activities such as music, sport, art, drama. They will chose students that they think will be a good fit for their school.

It's reasonably common for people to be offered scholarships at some schools but not even places at others - it just depends on how they did on the day in the exam and at interview, and exactly what sort of student the school is after.

If you want a school that selects purely on entrance exam performance, then you want a state grammar school.

[mama99]

Wow. This is good know. And I will contact SHHS And FHHS. Channing's practice is repulsing - if I must be honest. Doesn't anyone question why the process is NOT transparent? Why don't schools publish the exam results?

[mamabyname]

Would just add though that although it's great you've made a decision, as others have said there will still be so much movement. It is still worth contacting schools like SHHS and FHRP that you haven't had offers from - especially if you got through to interview stage. They have both been known to get it wrong with over or under offering in the past so are sometimes over careful and could end up with spaces to fill. If you are still keen and don't mind calling up to let them know you're still interested then do so, and call again after the state school offers come out. They likely have much smaller waiting lists than Channing who seem to WL everyone who applies. Strangely last year Channing waitlisted girls who had scholarships for SHHS and FHRP. They also offered places to some girls who didn't get SHHS and FHRP so their system is a little odd and doesn't really make sense. At the end though the impression I got was that everything shifts and it's worth playing a waiting game.

[mama99]

I would like to thank everyone who has replied to my post - as a result, we feel that CLC is, indeed, an excellent fit for my DD. Again - this forum has been so helpful and I thank you!

[trudylady12]

Will you consider as a day girl at CLC? But it will defeat the purpose of applying a boarding school.

[clevud]

Thank you @77seven , you are right about distance and it's always possible to transfer to a larger school at a later stage. With regards to FH, I'm looking at FH RP though most probably benefitting from the FH SS success! But it has very good results too!

[77seven]

clevud - I think the reason for FHSS’ popularity this year is that last summer they got the same if not better GCSE results compared to LEH, Channing and PHS, so are suddenly perceived to be jumping into the “top tier” of London Day Schools, as opposed to providing a softer option which is how it may have been perceived previously. Rightly or wrongly, people do look at the “Best Schools” GCSE league tables and are influenced by this. It is what it is.

Personally speaking, I wouldn’t bother with a 45 min journey to Channing if you’re much closer to QC. There’s no reason why your daughter shouldn’t do just as well at QC. Yes, there will be a lack of space, but trade that for location and access to all London has to offer on their doorstep. They will bus them somewhere for games and the girls won’t miss out in terms of opportunities. She may benefit from a smaller, more personalised school anyway?

[clevud]

Thanks So much @patiencevirtue , yes I'll definitely consider that! Problem with having and offer in the summer is that we loose £3k if we go with QC first and then rescind the contract. It's quite strange that she got a WL place at Channing but not at FH RP. Things must have changed a lot over the past 2 years.

[PatienceVirtue]

@clevud I remember you from another thread. Well done on that offer and a half, so sorry about Francis Holland as I remember that was your preferred choice. I really think you were unlucky, because it has become so much more selective the last couple of years.

Even though you’re not on the waiting list for FH, I really think you’ve nothing to lose by emailing the registrar and saying that you love the school, you have other offers, but even if a very last minute place where to come up you would love to be considered. Flatter them by saying how you can’t imagine how anyone would possibly turn it down, but in the unlikely event blah di blah. If your dd smashes sats then maybe worth phoning. People do drop out in the summer for all sorts of reasons.

[clevud]

I've got a very similar dilemma minus the boarding.
Channing WL
Queen's College offer

Pondering what to do
Channing 45 min at least door to door
Queen's College closer but no outdoor space.
So difficult.

[bananabrain2]

CLC!! I have a DD there who started at 11. She loves it. It's a fantastic all round school. Message me if you'd like to ask questions!

[Misandei]

CLC all the way! Friend’s DD got to into CLC at 11yrs, but wasn’t ready to board. The school was very understanding and held a place for her at 13+ with the proviso she still sits a test at 13 to ensure her academics haven’t slipped. She sat the test @13+ plus and is there now, thriving and doing brilliantly.

[Reginabambina]

Having attended a girls school with a boarding house I would really caution you on letting a girl board. Weekly boarding would be better to start with and please give her the option to attend as a day pupil if she doesn’t get on there. Boarding environments are rarely as supportive and nurturing as the school’s marketing materials would suggest and for girls this ends badly far more often than you would think. Hopefully she will thrive though! It sounds like she’s very keen to go but just be prepared to move to be closer to the school.

[mama99]

Thank you all!! Yes my DD Is beyond excited about CLC
I don't know much about boarding - you can't imagine how useful this forum has been
Thank you 🙏

[Growingboys]

Having read the PPs I strongly suggest that you DON'T defer boarding for a couple of years. Most girls go at 11 - I certainly did as did all my boarding friends - and those who came after that were deemed a bit weird.

Let her be normal with everyone else and go at 11. She'll love it!

[Growingboys]

I've never heard of Channing. I would go for Cheltenham - boarding is such fun and she might appreciate getting away from home if it's just her there.