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?

We had a offer from Reeds. Great news for us. Really good news to have one offer and then we wait for what Feb brings and whether there is a choice

I think there will be movement on the waitlist, I know that we applied for more as we worried about all our schools linked to one ISEB exam.

KGS and Hampton are both posting on the 11th, so results on the 12th.

After the relief of yesterday's Reeds offer, I was hoping I'd be more relaxed about this next wait, but no, I'm now impatient to get those results as well!

Thanks @BookShark. Guess all we do now is wait.
Well done to all those who achieved Reed's offers! Amazing!!
I have to say, I agree there will be a lot of movement with WL. I'm sure all our DC's will have amazing senior schools awaiting them 🤞

LU email on the 12th, so I shall be waiting anxiously then too!

Just heard from Halliford - DS is on the waiting list. Good luck to anyone else getting those results this week!

Halliford's was the only exam DS took at home during lockdown. I could hear him singing to himself while he did it, which is usually a sign he's not entirely concentrating, so I guess his exam results reflect that. However, given we already have a place at another school we like, we can be fairly philosophical about the situation.

@NeverEnoughCake2 That conjures up such a sweet picture of your DS. Reminds me of how little they really are, despite the 11+ expectations. All the children have really been through the mill this year. Well done on securing a place elsewhere and on the waiting list place (suspect there will be a lot of movement!).

Does anyone know how many sat for Halliford this year?

According to our letter Halliford had the most applications in their history apparently, not sure on absolute numbers though. My ds is also on waiting list, his online assessment was pretty horrendous, they spent 45 minutes (!!) getting one child logged in properly while all the other boys in the group just had to sit there. My ds was totally over it all by that point!

Our letter said there was an "unprecedent" number of applicants. We'll be releasing our place next week - just waiting for to see if DS gets a place at Hampton (unlikely). Assuming not, we'll accept Reeds, but I don't want to release the Halliford place until Reeds have confirmed DS is fully registered etc. if that makes sense. This process makes you so paranoid about missing out!

My DS has been offered a place at Reeds and we are waiting to hear from Epsom and St John’s next week before deciding what to do. We have a highly regarded catholic state school on our doorstep (Richard Challoner) and we are currently torturing ourselves as to the best option for DS. He is currently at a catholic primary and our decision to look at independent schools was driven by the apparent huge gap in learning during lockdown. We started a group tutor in September plus plenty of Atom and we thought we’d see what happened - we are delighted that he’s received an offer but apart from seeing the grounds (and he sat his ISEB exam there), we have no real feel for Reeds. Sorry this is very liong winded but I’d really appreciate any responses/thoughts and is anyone familiar with Challoner? Logistically it’s fantastic but all of the independent schools we’ve applied to have buses that collect close by. We also have a younger DD iso will potentially be looking at 2 sets of fees!! My DS really likes Epsom but it’s hard not to be bedazzled by their grounds and facilities!

Anyone with thoughts on choosing a good local State versus independent? I’m particularly keen to hear any feedback or experiences of Reeds, Epsom and St John’s? Negative and positive opinions would be really appreciated as we try to reach a decision in these times of not being able to visit the schools......

No personal experience but Epsom seems to have very long days and Saturday school. Make sure you take note of the school fees hike from Y9 onwards

Thank you. Yes the fees are very high from year 9 but not really much difference to Reeds. I am a bit concerned about 3 lessons every Saturday from year 9 but DS doesn’t mind the idea (although to a 10 year old, it seems a long way off and he might not been so keen when the time comes!)

@Jumpalicious, thanks! You're right - they're all so small to be going through this crazy process, particularly with the pandemic on top of the usual 11+ stresses.

@Delta10, we're wondering about the same, particularly in regard to Reed's. We like the idea that boys are strongly encouraged to do lots of activities (it sounds almost like a requirement) and that the school buses don't leave until after extra-curricular activities, but we're wondering how that plays out in practice. Do all the boys get stuck in? What happens to those who might be a little reticent to get involved? I can imagine DS being a bit shy to start off with. I know coronavirus will have restricted the school's recent range of extra-curricular offerings, but if anyone could comment, that'd be great.

Speaking of the pandemic, how are DC currently at Reed's finding remote schooling? Do they feel they get sufficient live teaching input and timely, useful feedback? This is another place where I imagine there might be quite a difference between the state and independent sectors.

How are we all keeping, lots of us still waiting - but only 1 week to go! I just realised we/some are going to get multiple letters this week, and probably on the same day! Hope everyone gets one yes at least.

Thoughts can’t help drifting to how we might choose if we are lucky enough to have more than one offer. Must resist!!

I just want it to be over! We're the same, keep discussing hypothetical choices which we may not get to make. At least it's only a few more days now. And we're in the lucky position of having an offer from somewhere we'd be happy for DS to attend, so anything else really would be a bonus. But that doesn't make me any more impatient when it comes to hearing from the remaining schools!

That should be any LESS impatient. And this is why DS sat the exams rather than me....

I just want it over with now. Only waiting to hear from one school - so if we have a choice it will be private vs state

I also just want it over! Waiting to hear from LU next week- I’m not massively optimistic as the competition is so fierce, but our state first choice is very good, so I’m stressing to DS that it doesn’t matter and he’s achieved a lot by getting an interview in this year’s competition.
Their email says they post the results on Thursday and email on Friday- why in God’s name can they not also email on Thursday?

Oh yes, that's the other issue - why does it have to be in the post? Our post is so flaky at the moment, I'll be gearing myself up for Friday and then probably find we don't get anything anyway!

We’re also waiting, am not particularly hopeful. Only applied to 2 independents and so far have a waitlist for the one we thought was realistic. Everything is odd this year though, thinking we should have applied to 4 not 2!! The 2 we did apply for both moved very last minute to online exams in some areas and not testing at all in others.

DS did apply for a good LA school outside of our catchment through their particular specialist criteria and was successful with that but still have to wait and see if he gets a place as they can’t guarantee a spot they just say they would expect him to be offered there 🤯

DS has received an offer for St John’s this morning & whilst we’re delighted for him, we’re seriously torn on what to do. We applied to 3 schools (2 co-ed) and are now only waiting on Epsom who are emailing offers starting from Monday. As asked previously, we’ve found it very difficult to get a true feel due to Covid restrictions and it’s such a huge decision that I would love to hear from anyone with any experience or knowledge on St John’s, Reeds and Epsom (in case he does receive an offer next week). Financially there isn’t that much separating them, St. John’s is the furthest but DS had a lovely interview, Reeds is the easiest journey and Epsom has the Saturdays to consider. I’m keen to know what other parents felt whilst going through this. All 3 schools have buses that pick up pretty nearby.... aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!

Delta, not much help as I'm not a parent but my ds got Epsom/st j's offers a few years ago. The schools really cross over and there isn't much in it. Perhaps go on sports as football at St J's/ Epsom and also swimming / squash at Epsom. It's very difficult but great to have the options and many will be in the same position.

@Delta10. If this helps we managed a visit to StJ before lockdown/likewise with Epsom. What struck me was how happy and relaxed the children were all around the campus. Facilities are newer and far superior to Epsom in term of science/ Computer studies labs, campus is intimate and not overwhelming and flexi-boarding a draw - once settled in. Also Co-Ed feeling was in harmony.
Epsom, has a brilliant lower school set up & incredible campus grounds for sports, and is more traditional with strengthening academic outcomes.
They are both closely matched.
Does your DS have his heart set on one more than the other?

@Delta10 I don’t have personal/ direct experience, but two of my colleagues are particularly pro-Challoners.

One has a DS in school already and says they did not consider any other school. The other doesn’t yet go to the school, but is so convinced by it, she has put her youngest on the WL for a mid-school/ mid-year offer. Her Ds is already at a “highly sought after” school alongside his two older brothers.

Both colleagues say the school does a fabulous job of assessing, teaching and nurturing the boys according to their strengths as individuals. The one hoping to change schools said she felt it offered more rounded development. Their current school is focused only on results. Unsurprisingly therefore, she quoted the pastoral support and ‘feel’ of the school higher reasons, alongside the more obvious distance/ cost difference.