Part 2: SW London Girl's Indies 11+ Pandemic Panic!

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www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/3962084-Upcoming-girls-independent-SW-London-schools-11-exams?pg=40

Hello all, this thread continues from the previous "Upcoming Girl's Independent SW London Schools 11+ Exams" thread set up by @Oceane11Plus.

@PatoPato cleverly noticed, message slots were running low for the epic long thread as above, so all chat now continues here...

[Post edited by MNHQ at OP's request]

WHS – Loud, Strong and Energetic. The first Open Saturday we went to was just that. It was like attending a fair – kids singing, the (old) Head Mistress (JL) theatrical, etc etc. The Head of Music has a PhD and really emphasised the high level of music (they untune your instrument and you need to be able to tune it for good impression!) needed for a music scholarship! There was a strong buzz from the (old) Head Mistress about STEM and the wonderful STEM-related opportunities at WHS. However, when students on stage were asked about their favourite subject – none of them mentioned the sciences or mathematics! What a shame. A parent raised this to one of the science teacher’s during the tour, and was told that it is sometimes difficult to encourage continued interest in the sciences amongst the girls. The campus, like most GDST schools, is smaller than others. I wanted my DD to apply to WHS – because she’s excellent in VR and NVR – but both my DP and DD said, ‘no way’; WHS is actually a bit far from us. Good effort on F&B. And there is an opportunity to make graffiti in the toilet near the entrance of the school!

PHS – I like the purple uniform. I actually do not remember much from the Open Days. I missed the first one and I like having two visits to make an impression. They were constructing a new building mixing Music, Science, Art, etc – the combination did not make sense to me, although I guess a new building is a new investment, and space must be limited in Putney. Good effort on F&B. A generic postcard was sent to all candidates for good luck. Instead of grouping the examinees in letter or numbers, they were grouped as pictures of animals – why?

@dinosaurinmybelly we all really loved it. (Although slightly glazed by the end.) I loved the fact it wasn't rushed like WHS. They took time to answer all the questions. DD was literally bouncing around.. with a grin on her face! She already plays lacrosse so that was a big hit and she is desperate to get on the river!

@stellagibbons its firm favourite at the moment but we are trying to keep open minded with the Dulwich schools. It feels almost wrong to turn such a good school down (does that make sense?!) That said, I feel more intimidated by Dulwich and perhaps DD is too.. I'm hoping the offer events will help us.

@Corblimbea It was a heads greeting / Q&A, Then sessions on Sport, music, languages, ask a student and pastoral care. You could attend as many or as few as you liked and there was some overlap. I am very impressed with Suzie Longstaff for having the resilience to keep on going!

NHEHS – A bit far for us, but we still tried to visit. It has a pool. The male Head and the admissions team felt really cold during their parents only open mornings! It was probably just a one-off. Nevermind. We live far away.

JAGS – Our DD did the taster day. She had fun. A bit far for us and I felt the Dulwich and SE bubble here – albeit still a very well sought school in the S and SE.

Emmanuel – One of the first schools we visited. Grand. Loud. The grounds were superb as well as the F&B! I do not remember much anymore, except that the sporty boy (he only liked PE as a subject!) did hesitate to talk about his family’s safari adventures in Africa. The kids do meditation here as well – if I remember correctly.

LEHS – We did not visit this one. Since this is a W/SW thread, you can gather from previous threads that LEHS gives loads of academic scholarships to entice parents to send them here – versus SPGS, G&L, LU and Tiffins.

@TomorrowOnce thank you. Its very kind of you to share your notes and I'm sure others on the thread will find it very useful. Where did you DD end up and is she enjoying it? Would you decide differently a year on? How is the online learning?

@WarmAndco3y - I know it's only one place but we will be releasing a Jags place in the next couple of days. Good luck!

@Stircrazyschoolmum I sent you a PM

@Flamingoyo thank you for thinking about us
It’s a waiting game now, I guess, until March...

@WarmAndco3y I think we are in a very similar situation. My DD is on a waiting list to all but one, for which she has an offer but sadly isn’t her favourite. We are all feeling so confused what to do and frustrated that this journey isn’t over yet and we can’t just relax.

Hello everyone,
I am just wondering what’s happening with Alleyn’s as it doesn’t seem to have had as many mentions as other schools yesterday, so was wondering why ? Whether it may not be a fist choice ? Have all those who applied heard back now ?
Thanks !
Well done everyone for getting on the 11+ journey, for a lot of people it is not over yet !

We have 2 offers out of 7, 2 rejections and 2 waitlists. We are waiting for Ibstock outcome which should be here today ( no post arrived yesterday though and I think there is a delay).
The ISEB became DDs downfall because all feedback indicates she underperformed compared to mocks. I just do wish they hadn't been held in November. But we are pleased to have offers at least.
Feel for anyone in this position because it just means ....more waiting. Without having had opportunities to visit schools we have offers from.

@Iamsodone Alleyns were sending by post so not sure many people received anything due to royal mail issues

I have had no post in days either. Speaking to friends they have received their Alleyns' Outcomes yesterday so it could be Royal Mail issues.

Thank you!
Ours didn’t come until mid afternoon yesterday. We are a WL there so wondering what chances we have to have an offer.
Two WL on ISEB schools and 2 firm on schools that set their own exams.
ISEB also our downfall :( @eglantine7

Sorry to hear about the WL scenario for many. You are not alone. We received an email from our head urging all parents with more than 2 offers to decide on a school as soon as possible because, this year more than any other, many children have been placed on WL.

We will be releasing Jags, QCL, SCHS and Emanuel on Monday and the rest by Friday once we hear from SPGS. Only one place I know but hopefully it gets another child a place.

@Iamsodone we got an Alleyn’s offer this morning.. in shock as we thought the odds were against us. Not sure what we are doing yet and I’ll probably step back from the thread for a bit whilst I dither as it’s not helpful for anyone else. Both jags and Alleyns have set their offer days at end of Feb which doesn’t help expedite the process.

@Brot64 that’s reassuring to hear, thank you.
I wonder if they might move enough to offer waitlist places ahead of the deposit deadlines? Is that ever heard of, or do the schools just wait anyway, thus making people potentially sacrifice the deposits paid to one of their less desired schools?

Stir we got an offer too

Really amazed. We did want Alleyn’s so didn’t apply to many.

@Stircrazyschoolmum this is so helpful
Thank you!

Iam we only got Alleyn’s post here today too.

@Tr0ubled

I am not sure about that. However, it would make sense to offer WL places as and when they become available to avoid having people paying for deposits at two schools. The tone of our email was more in line with, "we have been made aware that numerous of our children are on WL for many of the schools they applied for, particularly those that sat the ISEB. We urge all parents to make a firm decision and acceptance before the deadlines, so that other children can be offered places at some of these schools. The number of applications at all schools has been significantly higher this year .... etc please do remember that you can only take up one place....

My interpretation of that is that a place released before the deadline would mean another child gets an offer before the deadline too. I guess it would depend on the individual schools.

Congratulations on all the offers!
I wondered if anyone had any input on a place in extension at Graveney v SCHS? DD is bright but quite quiet and shy.
Any info appreciated!

@Tr0ubled I think schools will offer from waitlists as soon as possible - then they get the top of the waitlist - the longer they leave it the more likely people have accepted and settled on other schools

Remember all the schools will have over offered so lots of offers will need to be declined before they can go to waitlist

@Pulau

Congratulations on all the offers! I wondered if anyone had any input on a place in extension at Graveney v SCHS? DD is bright but quite quiet and shy. Any info appreciated!

I have sent you a PM

Hi all, I am a long time reader of MN and first-time poster. Congratulations on all the offers!.
And a big thank you for the support and encouragement given through this year's process. It helped immensely to manage my own nerves and get different views. I am delighted to share my daughter has offers from G&L, Habs and SHHS. We are trying to decide and release the others. All the best to those on WL, fingers crossed for swift movement.