@Oceane11Plus so good to hear from you and see your post!! Had thought you must be snowed under! Hope it is all a bit manageable now and great you could disconnect from all this 11+ messy business.
I, too feel the same way about listening in on interviews, it would overplay incessantly in my mind after if I heard anything amiss. DD would also be mortified if she saw or knew and would totally throw her off.
Yes, exactly my sentiments too on the ISEB process and the schools who are only offering interview based on scoring - it seems somewhat wholly unfair and targeted only to top scorers and no reading between the lines, as some of them said they would do or what we hoped they for this year & taking into consideration reports and references.
It really helps to hear when others haven’t made the mark esp those who are amongst the bright and clever ones. Obvs not envious to be in that position because the expectations of getting the desired offers are much higher. Reassuring for others in the sense that it affirms some schools are simply have their own agenda and a specific admissions criteria which can be tricky to fathom.
Also, a consideration is so many schools change year on year don’t they, so one which may have been a back up a couple of years ago, could have had a new head since or changes which have made it a sought after choice. I guess that could mean even Prep Heads might miss that? Obviously, if in state such as my DD, we potentially out of the loop unless of course one has a DC in the private system already; does impeccable research and asks all the right questions, or can rely on a tutor with nose to the ground to inform, or employ an educational consultant to advise in advance. Otherwise, easy to make the ‘wrong’ or more inappropriate choices?
Not sure if I have just waffled on there. Brain is tired. Forgive me if it doesn’t make sense.