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?

Ours is late... of course!

Ours doesn't come until the afternoon anyway. Just to prolong the agony...

We heard from Reed's - DS has an offer. We're delighted as this was his "stretch" school and we weren't sure how the switch to ISEB was going to affect him.

Fingers crossed for everyone else waiting for the postie today!

@Thisonesfortheroad my DS had a 10plus offer Hampton and had other offers too. I don't think he was particularly advanced in either Maths or English at the time, nor was he heavily tutored - he just had a good grasp of them, and I think his creative writing is pretty good, which I suspect swung it as a lot of boys aren't good at this.

I would say just make sure he's fully confident in both subjects and can work to exam pressure.

DS has since passed grammars too.

I would say keep going you're doing the right thing.

I honestly think the 10plus worked for us because there was literally no pressure so maybe consider a wider net of schools, which have buses from your area as well as a back up to take that pressure off. The schools you are considering are all super selective.

HTH

We got our letter from Reeds this morning, unfortunately our son is on the waiting list. While they said his results indicated that he would be successful at Reeds, there were an exceptional number of applications this year.

We are keeping our fingers crossed that there will be some movement given that I've heard the iseb option encouraged more applications for those schools using it but maybe the schools have also taken this in to consideration.

If anyone has any experience of waiting list moment I would love to hear! We perhaps naively didn't apply for many schools (3), we've had one no and still awaiting the other results.

@schoolcookie. We had a similar experience albeit not this year but fairly recently - and from memory the same sounding letter. When I asked about the waiting list position I was told the exact number which was very high single digits but they did also say then that they hadn't used the waiting list the previous 2-3 years. This year is likely to be different though I'd have thought given the strangeness of the process for you all. Fingers crossed.

@schoolcookie I'm sorry to hear that.\

I'm actually amazed how many people are applying to independent schools given we are living through such uncertain times.

I don't have any experience of waiting lists - maybe call up the school to enquire?

Waitlist here too with the very encouraging letter. It was a mid/ comfortable choice for DS so I'm not sure whether to be disappointed or not.. I do think the ISEB must mean there are a lot of offer holders who might not have applied otherwise and lots who will have offers at the more "difficult" schools. That's what I'm telling myself anyway!

I have an older DD so no idea if Reeds normally goes to waiting list or not.

We were lucky enough to receive a yes but know of four others who have had a no and one on the waiting list. Reeds also had the highest number of applications from our prep school.Reeds has changed a lot in recent years and even though he interviewed at Hampton and KGS it is definitely the right school for him.

@schoolcookie, like @GU24Mum, we had the cheery WaitList letter, however, as she mentioned Reeds haven't got recent history of offering properly to their wait-listed boys. Last year, 600 boys applied for 60 places in First Form. This year is different, with a lot of DSs applying to lots more than the usual 2-4 schools, so there are bound to be more needing to decline multiple offers (they can only go to 1 school!).

Easy to say, but tough to do, try to stay positive. Reeds was the first exam my DS did and got wait-listed. He had offers from the other 2 schools he applied to - both exams, later in the week. It's possible that some DSs, like mine, hit their stride with later exams, after a bit of practice. Good luck everyone!

Delayed update from me, but post came around 2pm and it's a yes for DS. Which is a huge relief all around, as whatever happens, we'd happily take Reeds. Best of luck to anyone that's been waitlisted, I know people at DS's school applied to several schools just because they did ISEB, so I suspect there might be more movement than in a normal year.

Well done to all with Reeds offers and will keep fingers crossed that there is movement on the waitlist for those hoping.

@Thisonesfortheroad we didn’t do 10+, but in terms of 11+ prep I would generally advise to go down the tutor route if I’m honest...not necessarily every week or even every fortnight but I think it’s worth having a few sessions with a professional. I think apart from anything else a good 11+ tutor will be far more experienced than a parent in what is required for the different schools, in providing guidance for exam technique, in coaxing pupils to do their best but also enjoy it too. And just from their experience they will be able to give you a sensible steer as to whether the schools you’re aiming for
would be realistic or not.

Hope everyone else waiting for the 11 Feb offers is bearing up

Don’t most of them arrive on the 12th 🙈. The waiting is AGONY!

Congrats to those who have got Reeds offers. For those on the waiting list, be reassured, there was movement last year (at the closing date). My DS, and others I know, got places from the waiting list. I’m sure there will be even more movement this year due to ISEB encouraging more applications per child.

Yes here from Reed's too! so relieved as it was our first choice school, a great fit for DS in many ways. I don't think we will be allowed in until teh acceptance day due to lockdown, it loosk like another webinar for DS to watch! A real shame as you cannot really get a proper feel for the school he has been once but it was over 2 years ago so still v young.
I hope they will organise something in the summer months for the boys before they join in September to get to know one another and familiarise themselves with the school.
Agree that it is bound to be some movement on the WL, hold on there and fingers crossed!

Congrats for those securing Reeds offers they are rare; DS friends in class are W/L.

Thanks @JustJuice187 this is helpful. I guess slow and steady as they say. Just don’t won’t to find out too late that there was something obvious we missed in our DIY prep.

@FlyingPandas My gut feel is that a tutor might be the way. Even if, as you say, just to get feedback on DSs chances/ guidance re schools and fit/ prep etc. So difficult to get a feel for a school from websites and webinars!

Weirdly, school mum chat is silent on this whole topic! Did ask re: tutor recommendations last lockdown, but only 1 or 2 responded and unfortunately both of those tutors were already full... with your advice however, am contemplating a second trawl!

Thanks @Singingrain1223 Had ruled out Sutton Schools as we are out of borough. But will check out the mocks if they’re open to anyone.

@BookShark thank you that is encouraging. With covid, DSs school is definitely behind syllabus. Very possible our prep hasn’t covered everything we should’ve and/ or to the depths required.

As you say, have time to consolidate and grow. And actually that was kinda the point of taking them - see how we fair, get some exam experience.

Our local state isn’t doing great, hence, exploring indies... have had some good advice here on broadening based on academic requirements....

@Thisonesfortheroad have sent you a PM. Good luck with it all!

@WFHWTF

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?

We had email saying that it wouldn’t be shared

We’re SE London and did another interview today, but I can’t see thread on this area. Maybe not enough of us

Unless anyone is planning on travelling I know some schools do a bus to SE from SW and a few I know have chosen to do that

@MarshaBradyo if it was Alleyn’s you’ll find a bit of crossover on the SW London girls thread (second part of this thread - it has pandemic panic in the title!) as some DD did that interview today.

LittleBlackBear oh fab thanks, yes it was Alleyn’s. I’ll take a look at SW one

Hi all, does anyone know when we hear back from Kgs? Are they also posting results on 11th Feb?