Upcoming girls’ independent SW London schools 11+ exams

[Oceane11plus]

Are there any parents on this board with DDs due to sit independent school exams in January? If so where do you stand in terms of shortlisting schools, revisions etc Are you planning to do any work over the summer?

We are still in the process of fine tuning the list of schools... We will probably end up applying to about 4/5 schools, of which 2 are in the same consortium which means 3/4 exams max.
As far as I am aware, our prep has not recommended any specific revisions for the summer, but I was still planning to make her write some maths, English and VR/NVR past papers, as 2 months without doing anything seems too much so close to the exams. I was thinking of making her do one paper a week in each subject, on top of reading and boosting her vocabulary, with two weeks in August without any paper/formal work.

Any tips on what we should be doing at this stage and over summer holidays, notably from parents with past experience, would be super useful!

Thank you

To be honest I only know of 2 who got no offers in the last few years - both boys ( much harder for boys) and they both went to preps for 2 years and ended up getting into good schools at 13 so all worked out in the end!
There is quite a lot of movement even once they start. My daughter has had quite a few join her school since y7 and a few leave.

Has anyone heard from schools they are applying to about changes to assessments or dates? So hard to plan at the moment, but I can’t see schools being able to have the traditional big exam hall sessions. Wondering if some will assess online or move things back a bit.

With back to school fast approaching, how’s everyone feeling?

I, for one, am bricking this term! No idea where we sit in the wider scheme of things or what the schools will be doing. Hating the uncertainty!

Sorry.. just needed a mini rant! DD seems remarkably cheerful and has enjoyed a relatively relaxed summer. She is looking forward to seeing her friends and teachers.

We’ve only heard from one school about changes (other than WHS removing the first round and combining it with the second) Sutton have let us know they will be doing online interviews and small group entrance exam days in groups of 15 through November and December and then issuing offers early by Christmas. I think others will follow (With smaller groups) unless they can guarantee the distancing in massive halls - fingers crossed they don’t have to wear masks through it all. Still have no idea what local authorities will do for 11+

Thanks C, that’s good to know. I’m going to contact JAGS early sept as they seem to be sticking to an early pre-assessment which feels unfair. I think I said before (forgive me it was a month or so back) Wandsworth test is now 3rd Dec for those interested. (Prob give or take a couple of days for those not in borough)

I wish there was more clarity on open days, but totally appreciate its not the schools fault!

We’ve been to some great online ones. I think any school that ran a proper open morning (lots if visitors and students showing the school off) amongst this covid climate would be mad to be honest - it would go against everything else - hundreds of different family groups coming together, touching the same doors etc. Even with distancing and sanitiser, a big risk. I’d be quite worried if a school went ahead with anything other than a well-planned private tour. We’ve come to the conclusion we will apply and get (hopefully!) offers and then decide based on what we read and feel based on the application process. It’s all very odd but I wouldn’t go to an open day right now even if it was offered - for these London schools people are coming from so many areas to visit. It would be weird if they have to have the school kids in bubbles and then could just have anyone in to visit - I think they’d be putting their own students at risk too. But I know I’m maybe at the upper end of cautious right Covid! I’ve been able to get a good feel for the schools we have virtually visited and lots have 360 tours now to see rooms and facilities.

@Corblimbea , it's against DFE guidance to allow visitors on site when pupils are present except for a medical emergency etc so it can't happen anyway. I think the school offices are focusing on getting through the next 2 weeks and then looking at the 2021 entrance exam process.

Just had email from JAGs to say they won't be holding group pre-selection events this year and all applicants will be invited to sit the entrance exam in January. They will be interviewing applicants this term though.

They've also said that they are aware Covid may have affected their education this year and they'll be consulting schools and parents as to individual impact and will take this into account.

I'm pleased with the overall tone, although slightly concerned DD's school will claim they did an amazing job of providing remote learning (SLT hate any criticism and are very defensive).

Thanks for the update Stella that’s good to know. (The pre-selection bit rather than your school being defensive!)

They are going to have a huge amount of marking in Jan!

For anyone looking at SPGS, they’ve got a page on their website explaining that they’re planning to ask parents about the impact of school closures on their child, as well as asking the primary / prep schools about provision during lockdown. It’s here:
spgs.org/admissions/entry-at-11/

LEH dropping Maths and English from their January exams... SPGS asking for affidavits from parents and schools...
Strange decisions being taken on an ad hoc basis!

Affidavits? Wow - this is going to be crazy.
Where have you seen / heard that utility if you don't mind me asking.

@dinosaurinmybelly , it's on the LEH admissions page. KGS has removed the VR as announced earlier this summer, these changes are going to keep everyone on their toes! (Also shorter exam sessions to help with social distancing).

I wrote a long post but it vanished This one will be shorter.

I wouldn't worry too much about some schools boasting about their remote learning provision as from what I can gather going through various websites, secondary schools are also planning to ask parents about their child's personal experience and the impact it has had on their children' education and wellbeing.

As far as we are concerned, we are still dithering over which schools to apply to, and not being able to physically visit them with DD is not helpful...

Oceane

I feel your pain! It’s not helped by DD flipping back and forth between single sex and Co-Ed...

Jags has just sent out an email with their revised admission assessments. Basically it will consist of interview + creative writing task and The ISEB Common pre-test. Sounds like they are dropping the written English and Maths exams.

Yes, I just got that. I'm not sure how I feel about it - my initial inclination is to be annoyed as we've been preparing based on the written English/ Maths exams and I have no experience of the ISEB Common pre-test at all, as it's not used by any of the other schools we're applying for.

@stellagibbons I feel exactly the same as you..... The silver lining is that this is one less exam for us in January and I believe (hope) it is likely to be all done and dusted by December (DD is at a prep).
As annoying as it might be I can understand why they have done that. Without having any experience with the ISEB pre test, I believe it is more based on innate ability rather than knowledge (correct me if I'm wrong) and will therefore be a fairer assessment in the current environment with many kids missing school and remote learning provisions varying school by school.

Creative writing is notoriously rubbish as a selection criterion for selective schools. The maths is the critical one.

Sorry if this is a silly question...

I’ve seen many past maths papers with multiple choice, rather than ‘show your working’ type of answer.

On the multiple choice ones, are they given a separate blank paper where they can work out the answers, or do they have to do mental maths?

Thanks!

Can anyone share feedback on Kingston Grammar School for an all rounder girl ? how does it compare to Emanuel, Alleyn's or Ibstock.
Not just looking at Academics, pastoral care is very important and also a reasonable mix of people, background, nationalities, opportunities etc
thank you

@montlieu My DS has just started KGS. I can only compare with Ibstock and my view would be more diverse. Most of his new KGS friends have come from state too and Kingston is a more mixed area in comparison to edge of Richmond Pk. They take pastoral care seriously. DS and I both had poor pastoral impression of Ibstock during admissions process but tbf no experience of the school once there. I understand the head is leaving at Ibstock so that may see a pastoral change.

Are you aware of more schools changing their exam format this year due to Covid?
I wonder if most independent schools are likely to drop the written maths and English papers, and use the ISEB pre test instead? Jags is not the only one one doing it, King’s in Wimbledon is also doing the same. The main advantage is that it significantly reduces the number of children sitting an exam on site as all the prep school children would be expected to take the exam at their prep. It will also be more flexible and easier to manage in case of more lockdowns or children being ill/isolating etc I can’t see how schools can organise exam sessions for close to 1000s of children in some cases in the current climate with social distancing rules likely to get tighter. It’s sounds like a logistical nightmare!
No recent news from Putney High, CLGS, SPGS, Alleyns as far as I am aware?

It was mentioned on a virtual open day this week that the GDST group are considering a single exam but as yet unsure what format it would take. Admissions said they were hoping to have an answer by the end of the week and it would be communicated via website..