SW London boys, 11+ grammars and independents

[Jumpalicious]

Hello, I know there’s an excellent thread for the girls. Not sure if there’s one for the boys? Anyone want to come on board? I know we can’t divulge details of round two grammars since there will be late sitters, but was thinking more of a support thread. Any takers?

Ok, interesting development, in parallel w current discussions on this thread... just had email from Hampton informing that academic scholarships are to be held from next Thursday to 6 Feb. Round robin, saying those invited will be contacted next Tuesday. Surely this might indicate son is in with a chance of a place ...or maybe it’s nothing and they just round robin absolutely everyone who interviewed, regardless. I know the admissions department are hot on communication!

Assume everyone's had the email from Hampton. Over 400 boys interviewed for 90 places. I wonder how many offers they actually make? You'd assume it'll be most people's first choice, so they wouldn't need to significantly over-offer, but that makes the odds pretty scary!

Oh well, what will be will be. And interesting on the scholarship discussions - we haven't applied for any, and not holding my breath on an academic one, despite DS's upcoming KGS interview. But to be honest, I'll be happy if he gets a place, any sort of discount would just be a bonus! Although not a huge one if it's just £400...

Ha, cross post with @Jumpalicious. I'm afraid I saw it as a round robin, but I like your thinking!

@BookShark Haha, is what my husband said. BTW where did you get those figures from? Our email just says “an unparalleled number of applications”, and then explains “next steps” for scholarships, with dates etc, but saying they’ll contact parents of “those involved” next Tuesday. Curious!

Btw re your Kingston grammar scholarship interview, I am certain this is a guarantee of a place, if not a scholarship. At least it’s a hint that you can relax a bit, before deadline day!

@Jumpalicious Well I'd love to think you're right, but who knows? Just seems a bit odd given that they haven't interviewed him at all yet - normally I think it's a two-step process - but then this isn't a normal year!

The bit about the number of interviews was in the attachment on the e-mail - there was a "next steps" (rather colorful) pdf which had the figures in it and a bit more information on the process so far and what happens next.

I must praise Hampton, communications has provided some much desired perspective of this years 11+. The numbers to deal with are horrendous. I guess I now know what my plans are next Tuesday. 🤞🏻🤞🏻

No question, best comms of all Admission teams award this year goes to Hampton. (Got the email too).

Oh yes, ok, will read the attachment! Ah I see, if your son’s not yet had an interview then this is definitely a round robin, since he DOES need to be interviewed, regardless of his exam score (according to the info posted earlier in this thread). When’s his first interview? Or has he not even had a first interview established? In which case, maybe he will indeed jump to academic interviews?

Hi has anyone had any news about a music scholarship interview for Hampton?

@Jumpalicious

Oh yes, ok, will read the attachment! Ah I see, if your son’s not yet had an interview then this is definitely a round robin, since he DOES need to be interviewed, regardless of his exam score (according to the info posted earlier in this thread). When’s his first interview? Or has he not even had a first interview established? In which case, maybe he will indeed jump to academic interviews?

I think it's two in one. I don't know what the process is for the general interviews, but this one is a 20 minute one which is partly subject focused and partly general chat from the sound of it. Which means it will all be over by tomorrow afternoon - thankfully! I'm not sure DS could handle any more interviews, he's drained from the whole process.

Kudos to Halliford on their communications too. Their head recorded a video message for the boys when the exam process changed, and then another one ahead of the exam, explaining exactly how it would work, and demonstrating how to use Teams etc. That, combined with the lockdown survival box of Green & Black's chocolate and a cookie (along with headphones for the exam, pen, pencil etc.) was a really nice touch. Both them and Hampton have come across as very strong on the pastoral side of the admissions process.

Totally agree on Hampton communications (and from what I know of Halliford, @BookShark, I’m not at all surprised to hear that they have been excellent too).

Although I’ll admit to feeling a little deflated on reading the Hampton attachment. If there are only 90 places available (I had stupidly forgotten about the 10+ and the Hampton Prep allocations) and they’ve interviewed “over 50% of 800+“ candidates (so let’s say they’ve interviewed maybe 450??) I would expect chances of an offer to be relatively small tbh.

Purely speculation and me just playing around with stats, but I would assume a school with 90 places would probably offer to maybe 250/270 students (so up to 2/3 over offering? On the basis that - even if Hampton is sought after - some will turn down for a grammar (it’s free!) some for a co-ed (parent and boys decide against single sex), some for a more prestigious school (WUS, KCS, SPS all have far more “prestige clout” than Hampton).

So they probably have to assume that up to 2/3 of the offers they make will be turned down.

Even then, that means that around 200 boys will be either waitlisted or told ‘no’. The less I in me can’t help assuming that my DS will be in that camp if I’m honest...

*pessimist in me not less I!

I just read the Hampton pdf and thought wow and ouch. I had no idea it was going to be so tough, puts the efforts of the boys into context.

@NoToMisogyny, check the St George's website...they should make it clear if invitation to the scholarship test means a guaranteed place. My DS got invited to the academic scholarships tests, at RGS, last year... it meant he was in, so he knew he wasn't under pressure at all... he was relaxed and enjoyed the day

Thanks @Pyrfwondering but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guarantee of a place on a school website!

And we are finally done! Very nice and relaxing 'fit' interview for DS with KGS this morning. Lovely teacher, who made DS feel relaxed and listened with interest to what he had to say.

Assume they are a lot more comfortable with the results of their exams, so don't have to retest academics in these interviews, unlike the ISEB schools this year.

Great news @GrammarHopeful. Agree with your analysis.

🙌 @GrammarHopeful great to have a relaxing and positive interview. I concur with non- ISEB interviews - the schools feel they know the child better.

Looking for advice

I have been following this thread and I thought now would be a good time to post; as it looks like most are now waiting for schools to come back.

My DS is state in the Esher area and we are looking for schools to sit exams next year. Entry in sept 2022, so a year after most of you.

We like Reeds and it is close but we/school think he has a good shot at the more academic independent schools. They all look similar travel times and we are looking at applying to one or two of RGS, Hampton or KCS. Not sure being in state where the independent boys in the area tend to head to.

RGS - DD is at a girls school in Guildford so convenient but probably not a huge benefit bar sharing train. Like the school and we think (?) strong on maths/science which suits.

Hampton - lots of positive stuff on here about how they handled the situation. Great set of extra activities and onsite facilities but maybe a little isolated? Not sure how many in the area heads that way.

KCS - feel more London like, and will draw from a wider London area though clearly SW outskirts. Heard it a bit more orientated to English/humanities which less suits but results are clearly amazing across the board.

DS likes football but not a clear requirement, and it doesn’t seem like a main sport for any of them. And it is not like he is going to be in the A team anyway, he just wants to play sport with his mates. Will get involved but again not major on drama/ music - really keen on science.

I know it is open ended question, but any thoughts? They would all be amazing but would like to narrow down. I think it isn’t obvious as none of them are right next door.

KGS is clearly another option but we haven’t seen it/looked at it.

So glad your DS’s KGS interview went so well @GrammarHopeful! My DS had his this morning and it didn’t go brilliantly. The teacher was amazing and couldn’t have tried to put DS at ease - but some children are beyond hope 🙈. DS was incredibly relaxed beforehand but as soon as it started he went into rabbit in the headlights mode and gave brief answers with very shaky voice! It’s the first time I’ve listened in - and I wish I hadn’t.

Oh well, tis done now. And it’s very likely to be the end of everything except the wait now!

Well done on the interview for DS @GrammarHopeful that sounds really good.

@NoToMisogyny I am sure the teachers are used to kids going into rabbit in headlights mode. Bless him. As you say, good to get it all done, at least.

@Northernsurreyandconfused we are state primary and RGS and Hampton are the two out of your list we opted for; the RGS/Hampton/Reeds combination is a popular one, certainly amongst state school applicants who want independent secondary - not sure what the prep school preferences are but I suspect similar.

I must admit that we automatically discounted KCS - too much of a London school which we didn't want (although obviously others might not share that view) and too daunting as part of the 'Big Three'. I think I have said upthread that personally I would put KCS (along with WUS and SPS) in a league above Hampton and RGS, but that is just my perception and again others might not share that view. Undoubtedly an amazing place to go though if DC get in.

How much have you been told by the schools about the ISEB scores your DC achieved?

The person I spoke to at one school said as they were not the 'data owners' they could not disclose the actual scores but if they had been, they would have been fully prepared to discuss the detailed results.

What has been your experience in finding out the ISEB scores/results?

I actually didn’t like WUS, we went to an open day when DS was in year5 and discounted it after that. Undoubtedly academically brilliant but I didn’t think I would like the person DS became if he went there. (Not that he’s in that academic league anyway.)

I haven’t been able to find anything out about ISEB results: LU will tell you which quartile your DC was in but nothing more. CLS had its own exam and refuses to give any feedback at all.

@NoToMisogyny sounds tough but the good thing about independent schools is that they do not base everything on just the interview at this stage. They will also consult his school reports and any reference. They really don’t want a class full of the same sort of child (eg the over confident/ loud mouth!).

@Northernsurreyandconfused only know about Hampton and kings. Kings is very very strong on STEM, any references on here to English are simply because they have loads of strong maths boys applying, and English skills may be the only thing to differentiate them, academically! Hampton. Yes a bit far out, and not as big a name as kings, so (unlike kings) less likely to be on radar of the St. Paul’s/Westminster crew.