SW London/ Surrey boys independents

[EshSchools]

I've looked and there seem to be a couple of threads for DDs going to take entrance exams in the SW London/ Surrey area, but i couldn't see one for boys.

Anyone else in? I am just looking at the application processes and trying to firm up our list. I've also seen there may be changes to some of the exams (I have just seen on here KGS are changing theirs this year) and wonder if this would be a good place to swap news.

[NeverEnoughCake2]

Thanks Wishingitwasover, that's good to know. A humane application process is definitely a plus point.

[Hopeful201]

Hi, Epsom and Reeds are relatively 'easy' to get into v's RGS and Hampton. I think a lot of Reeds but Reeds and Epsom are expensive compared to RGS and Hampton.
The tests for RGS and Hampton are much tougher and they are looking for ability along with how the child will develop. Both are excellent schools if you have a bright boy. Both are surprisingly sporty (Hamptons probably more so). I know RGS offers a lot of places to state school boys, mine were and both have done well at the school. So don't think your DS isn't bright if they go to state school! A bright state school child is as bright as a prep school boy. Honestly!

[CraftyGin]

My DSs went to St George's. One loved it, one not so much (but he wouldn't have liked any school once A-levels hit).

It's not a shoe-in to get into. I know plenty of candidates who were rejected, even though they had siblings there.

[CraftyGin]

A consideration is whether the school is day or boarding (even if as a day pupil).

I worked for a bit at Epsom, and the pace of life was absolutely exhausting, as it was run as a boarding school where everyone was kept extremely busy. End of school was basically 9pm, with Saturday morning school and afternoon matches (often far away).

[CraftyGin]

The major consideration to your choice of school is how your student will get there - fine for you to drive a Y7 student, but do you still want to do this in Y11?

School buses are fine but very expensive. Have a look at a public transport route.

[NeverEnoughCake2]

The day vs. boarding balance and Saturday school are definitely some of my concerns about Epsom. However, DS isn't quite Hampton/RGS level of bright (although his maths is strong, his English is on the high end of "meeting expected standards") so we're looking for schools that will be a good fit that kind of level of academic ability. We were told by his tutor that KGS have a particularly hard English paper, so he might struggle to get a place there, particularly as they're omitting the verbal reasoning this year. We're not religious at all, so that put us off St George's a bit. Like EshSchools, we've got Halliford and Claremont pencilled in as slightly surer bets.

It just seems so hard to judge! We don't want to be under-ambitious for DS, but also don't want to put him through too many entrance tests.

[CraftyGin]

We are not Roman Catholic and that was fine for St George's. Only about 20% are RC. You only have to be sympathetic to the catholic ethos, ie kind to children and animals.

We are actually uber Anglican, so got a bit frustrated by the sluggishness of expression of the Christian faith at SGC. They thought I was speaking in Chinese when I suggested an Alpha Course.

[Mandoo2008]

Up until a a couple of years ago I'd agree that Epsom was easier to get into than the likes of Hampton or RGS but I'm not sure that's still the case...especially for a boy. Epsom have increased their catchment area in the last 2 years and are now running coach services to & from a number of 'SW postcodes' hence the number of applicants and competition has increased significantly. Add into this the fact that Epsom are a 'Co-ed' and hence only offer circa 90 places to boys at 11+ and I suspect you'll find that there's now more applicants per place than the likes of Hampton & RGS who have much bigger intakes. To give you some context only 25% of those that sat for Epsom at my son's prep school last year were offered places vs 50%+ in previous years. Those that were offered places had CAT scores of 125+ and generally were talented in one or more extra curricular activity (i.e sport, music, drama etc). Personally I think it's a great school for 'All rounders' but as someone else mentioned your child will have to be a 100% committed to the school given the long hours.

[Pumpkinnose]

Hello, hope you don’t mind me hopping on...?

Is there anywhere non academic but reasonably sporty that you might suggest, apart from travelling miles into Surrey that we might have missed?

Having gone the private (very academic) route myself many years ago, DS9 is not cut from the same cloth. I’m increasingly thinking of a non selective (but tiny catchment) state but, having gone private myself want to check I’ve not missed anywhere as it’s obviously a massive decision and a lot of money... I’m not keen on a minibus at 7.30am out to Reeds etc, even if he’d get in.

[Lovethecrown]

@Pumpkinnose
Not sure where you are but there is Halliford or St James (both boys although halliford has girls in 6th form) or Radnor house which is coed.

[Pumpkinnose]

Thanks will take a look - we are near Wimbledon

[kittybloom]

@pumpkinnose - if you are just looking at London then take a look at Kew House (although sport pretty much ltd to rowing) too. Otherwise @Lovethecrown pretty much has it covered. My view is that if sporty boy but not interested in London hot house then best to take a look at Y9 flexi boarder arrangements. But that takes you to Surrey, I’m afraid.

[ChristopherTracy]

I would only think Whitgift suitable but of course that is still selective though not as selective as others. If you have a good state option then take it.

[EshSchools]

I’ve heard that Hampton are moving to the ISEB test, does anyone know of any changes at the other boys or coed schools in the area?

[GandTtime]

I’ve heard that Ibstock Place School are doing ISEB on the first day (as they always do) and only those who pass are invited to the second day which will consist of ‘learning workshops’. Previously the second day involved all of the written papers and every child was invited to attend.

Looks as if Covid has finally shaken up the whole 11+ process! I wonder if it will be more or less competitive than previous years...

Best of luck to all of those in Year 6 (and their parents) who are venturing into the unknown!

[FlyingPandas]

Thank you for the input further upthread on the likelihood of schools ideally wanting lots of extra curricular skills from applicants - very helpful to read. Going into this with very much an open mind and we'll see what happens!

@EshSchools - RGS are also doing ISEB, not sure about any others.

@GandTtime - I said on another thread that I wonder whether the move to ISEB for many of the indies might encourage parents to stick a few more applications in for additional schools. As DC can only sit ISEB once (so my DS will sit it, and that one result will go forward to both Hampton and RGS, in our case), in theory parents could apply for more than the usual 3/4 schools without DC needing to prep for and sit multiple exams. It will be interesting to see.

In terms of competitiveness - I guess there will be some parents for whom independent schooling is no longer an option if they have lost jobs / business income from Covid, so applicant numbers could go down overall. Then again there may be others seeking independent places who might not have done so before, if they have been unhappy with state school provision during lockdown....so applicant numbers could also go up!

[GrammarHopeful]

After a lively initial discussion this topic has appeared to have died down, but as we are nearly done with grammar exams (depending on the outcome of SET plus St. Olave's yet to go), I have just finalised the last indie application for my DS, and this seems like a good time to bump the thread up!

We've taken a slightly ambitious (careless?) approach to this, as we will hopefully have some grammar options, and some decent comps' backups (due to flexibility offered by EHCP, now there's an oxymoron! ), so we've gone for:

KCS Wimbledon [ISEB]
Hampton [ISEB]
Kingston Grammar
Trinity [ISEB] (would need to move)
Emanuel

We also applied for Claremont Fan Court, but having spoken to the school, I felt that I was being discouraged from proceeding (perhaps, wrongly ), so it's unlikely he will sit their exam in December.

DS is having his first Zoom interview with Emanuel next week, and is struggling slightly with ideas of what to put on their pre-interview form, so we shall work on that this weekend :) Trinity's statement form seemed more straightforward.

How's everyone else doing with their prep? Drinking yourself to sleep?

[After8itsgrownuptime]

@GrammarHopeful why did you feel they were discouraging you?
I’m only asking as my son is dyslexic and we have applied to Claremont, but a few people have said they are actively discouraging SEN pupils.

[GrammarHopeful]

@After8itsgrownuptime Without going into particular details of our current setup, the school effectively said that very little adjustments could be made to accommodate DS, as after all "it's a mainstream school and everyone is expected to participate in everything on offer" or something to this effect.

This specific response was after I queried approach to sports (DS has major issues with PE, and poor gross motor skills, although no physical disability). Compare this to Hampton, who said that they have plenty of "quirky" boys and only expect that the boys are able to access learning academically at the right level: "of course we will never make them do what they don't want to do", in response to the sports question.

CFC also told me off the bat that they are a modern school with lack of space, so won't be able to provide any space for any 1-on-1 provision (currently, DS sees a SLT [1x week] and and an OT [1x term]). This was one of the first things they said, even though I haven't raised it.

Overall, the tone of the conversation was very much "fine, apply, but don't expect us to do anything over and above what we do for other DCs", which, of course, is a code for "we'd rather you go somewhere else".

[TheExtraGuineaPig]

On a sort of related topic, is anyone else surprised Claremont are still testing on site on the 12th? I know in previous years they’ve had quite an interactive day with lunch and I think group sessions. I guess this year will be just spread out exam rooms.

[After8itsgrownuptime]

I’m still not convinced it will happen. It’s just English , creative writing and maths (NVR has been dropped) but I don’t see how they can all the kids sitting on site. At the moment all 3 of our schools are sitting on site exams - let’s see if that changes.

[Jyotii]

Hi All, my DS had taken ISEB for RGS... we are very happy that he has been invited for interview in Jan 2021
I thought to ask how are your experiences so far with school & any input regarding interview what to prepare for? Any insight will be helpful.
Many Thanks

[SheilaFentiman]

That’s great, Jyotii!

[Didsomeonesay]

@NeverEnoughCake2

Hi there, gosh I went through all this last year. I have no idea why I popped on here tonight. Possibly to see it from the other side before I begin again with my DD.

My son joined Epsom College this year. He’s just completed his first term at the lower school and LOOVVESSS it.

He sat a number of exams (reeds, St. John’s, KGS, St. George’s and Epsom). Epsom was always my front runner. I remember someone saying “you don’t pick the school, the school pick you” and “they will end up in the right place for them”. Very annoying when you’ve a front runner and your heart set on a school but hey ho...

After all the 11+ work, I was desperate to leave school on the school bus and for home to be a place of fun and mayhem. I wanted to leave the nagging behind me. Epsom was a perfect fit.

Yes the day is long. He’s on the bus at 7:20am and we pick him up at 6:55pm. They also have SATURDAY school (a day of sport for the first few years).

The staff are strict. They don’t abide poor behaviour but they are attentive, caring and always available to chat to. We feel very lucky as it’s a great fit.

My boy has settled in with a group of really great kids who he is now thick as thieves.

They are accommodating, caring and my son has never been happier.

My son is slightly awkward yet confident. He’s bright but needs a push to focus (typical “could do better if he applied himself malarkey”). The other boys ive met are funny and intelligent. I’m smitten with the school and hope my DD is accepted

I hope this helps.

[Fingerscrossed1234]

Thank you, that is great feedback. I think all the schools you mentioned applying to have a similar culture as Epsom as are one step away from the academic day schools in London. So important that children are happy and life is balanced especially in this ever changing world.