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

Yes, hoping things don’t escalate too much, so they can at least have the rest of this term in school.

It’s difficult/challenging times, we have to be realistic but taking one day at a time. My DC had been discussing the possibility of not even going back after half-term, as their friends started discussing this 2 weeks ago. They were starting to get worked-up about it, so DH had to have a chat with them, to calm them down a bit.

@Stircrazyschoolmum

montlieu I ran out of time this morning to try and answer your question regarding PHS/WHS and hopefully someone with a DD at one of the schools will add their viewpoint.

Having visited both twice y4/5 I came away liking PHS more as it felt busy and buzzy whereas WHS felt a bit more academic and sensible. I also preferred the PHS Head. However.. I really like the new WHS head and have liked the school far more having watched its virtual open events so I’m in a quandary and I guess it demonstrates what a uniquely personal choice it is. I like the GDST ethos and think they are all very good schools.

I visited JAGS thinking I’d hate it and really loved it. The Dulwich schools have far bigger campus’s and feel quite traditional if that makes sense? I was less engaged with their virtual open days but feel the schools are in good hands with their new heads.

I guess the long and short of it is I feel blessed there are so many good schools to choose from and like warm said someone has to go to them! Keeping everything crossed we’ve done enough..

Stircrazy- I had the exact opposite view of PHS v WHS! DD now at WHS!

I had a look at the virtual WHS open day the other week and got me thinking about how the pupil who takes you round can really affect your view of a school. The virtual open days get rid of that which may be a good thing.
I was massively put off a couple of the very academic all boys schools by the pupils that took us around, even though I know that's unfair and I know nice children there!
Also found it interesting what type of children the schools asked to speak at the open days.

allabitboring I think that’s very true!

How is your DD getting on? Did she start this year? I really feel for this years intake, they had a rubbish end to primary and a non standard induction to secondary. The GDST schools seem very on top of remote learning though which is reassuring!

No- she's been there for a few years- all good! I have a DS who started Y7 this year though- he's taking it all in his stride though. I think it's the parents who were more upset about missing end of primary stuff etc!

We’ve just been told that the Jags interviews will now be done via Zoom, and the creative writing task will be done at home. DD will be so disappointed
In addition creative writing is one of her strength but I guess its weighting will be heavily downgraded in this new set up

A quick bit of news for anyone interested. Just had an email stating JAGS interviews will now run online and creative writing task undertaken at home under timed conditions.

Not really a surprise given current circumstances and probably quite sensible of them.

Oceane you beat me to it!!

Now, I’m thoroughly confused by the follow up email from JAGS.
I didn’t notice the error in the initial email, so I ( thought I) was fine with the email.

As everyone sitting Sutton Set and Hampton 10 plus in next 9 days at the schools is waiting on advice from Dept of Education surely the DfE decision will impact all entrance exams state and private that are still to take place this autumn / winter ie Kingston Grammar in Jan 21. What worrying times for so many dc.

The JAGs decision is disappointing for us, but completely understandable. It won't do DD any favours as she really doesn't come across that well over Zoom.

They are hoping the ISEB can still go ahead onsite as planned in January for those sitting it with them then.

We will sit the ISEB at our own school this month. To be honest I want it over! I’ve no clue how they will mark the creative writing, it’s subjective at the best of times. I think the non-ISEB schools will face some challenges in Jan, I guess where there is a big enough cohort the exams could be done in preps, just like the Wandsworth Test is done in the state primaries. No clue how it will work for out of borough candidates though.

For the Zoom interview, I fear a disaster as far as DD is concerned. She is not the most eloquent child and English is not her first language, the camera is not going to help!

I am also puzzled at the risk non-ISEB schools are taking, as come January we might be under even more severe restrictions. For example I don’t understand was Francis Holland has not followed G&L and most other consortium schools in switching to the ISEB this year.

Agreed Oceane11Plus - in fact Francis Holland has been incredibly quiet. Quiet enough to make me wonder if I've dropped off their radar!
Has anyone heard anything since registration (which for us was an automated message)?
I feel like some of these schools are holding their breath and might still suddenly panic and announce a change of plan. IPS still plans to go ahead with it's own special exam on site. If they are going to change...crack on!

@PatoPato Funny you say that about FH. Surprised by the lack of communication from the school, I went to check my junk mailbox and logged on to the website just before half term to check if they had been posting any updates on their online application portal, but there was nothing. The Admissions section of the website hasn’t been updated for Covid. It is the same as last year, they sound oblivious of the current situation! Whatever their reasons are that’s a strange (lack of) communication strategy they have decided to adopt and they don’t come across as very proactive. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail... The contrast with some other schools (eg JAGS) is striking!
If there are any current FH parents around, I would be interested to know if that’s reflective of the school’s communication approach in general, or if this is an isolated example

@Oceane11Plus I've definitely formed opinions on schools strongly based on how they have reacted and communicated throughout this whole situation. And I agree, JAGs have been exemplary throughout!

stella and Oceane I bet you have already done this but make sure your concerns around the zoom format are formally logged on the form we had to submit about lockdown learning. It might not make a difference but it’s worth recording.

Just to offer some comfort, DD did an interview remotely last year as we were living abroad. The school was very good about it.

We’ve already done a Zoom interview for Sutton High and DD actually really enjoyed it. We have another one next week. I think she found it easier from home - more relaxed. I think the group ones will be really hard, especially if there is a delay or WiFi issue, but on her own, she said it was fine! Plus I could listen in from the next room, so can coach her for next time!

Has anyone done or know of someone who has done the zoom interview and creative writing session for JAGS?

@WarmAndco3y Yes we have, all very straightforward. DD enjoyed it and came out of the room very happy. There is no need to worry about it. The writing task has been postponed. I believe all the applicants will have to do it at the same time.

I'm new to Mumsnet, my DD is applying to a handful of girls' independent schools, so I shall be following this post closely!

@MulledWine20
Thank you for your response. I’m glad it your DD enjoyed, and came out happy. Well done to her.
Interesting re writing task. Did JAGS inform you beforehand that it was being postponed? We have received anything to that effect. I wonder how they plan to pull that one off, with everyone doing it together. I just feel the likelihood of getting everyone onsite to do it gets slimmer as we get more into the winter months.

haven’t

@WarmAndco3y We received an email from the registrar the day before the interview with the Zoom login details. In this email we were also told that the creative writing task would not take place on the same day as the interview, they would be in touch shortly with an essay question and protocol. It will be an essay to be completed in 25 minutes and to be returned that evening by email or first class post. I believe they might email all the applicants at the same time with the essay question, but I'm not certain about it.

When is your DD's interview?

Thank you. DD’s interview is week after the next.

She was looking forward to the drive up there. But completely understandable the precautions they are taking

Same. She was so excited about it and was a bit sad when I told her everything would take place at home. However I agree it was a very wise decision from the school as we never know how the situation is going to develop. Like others on this post I was a bit skeptical initially about the Zoom interview but when the technology works well and the setup is good (DC in a quiet room for the interview etc), it's actually pretty similar to the face to face experience. Also bear in mind it's a 15mn interview so very short.

Good luck to your DD for the interview and the ISEB test. Ours is very soon...