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]

@Brot64 it came at 16:40, from Mrs Kiezun
It was specifically for sports, I assume the other scholarship assessments will go on as per email, a few days ago.
Check your Spam/junk in box.

@WarmAndco3y thanks. Got it. It was in my junk mail. What a shame though it does make sense as was wondering how they would conduct them via zoom.

@NoToMisogyny thanks!

Absolutely. You may not be able to make a silk purse from a sow’s ear, but you can definitely train and teach children ‘how to do’ VR and non-VR, and prepare them for the tests, both by familiarising them with the question types and teaching them how to take a paper test, a computer test, etc. I expect you can probably train to get better marks in many IQ tests as well. The idea of a tutor-proof or school-preparation-proof test is nonsense.

With respect, I beg you to consider what we are talking about in terms of ‘advantage.’ Independent primary schools tend to be well-resourced with specialist staff for various subjects, which allows for greater expertise in teaching particular subjects and enable form or core subject teachers to have enough time to tailor the lessons to the needs of their Individual pupils. Even in state schools largely populated by the children of middle-class parents, teachers may have 30 (and sometimes, illegally, more) pupils in their classes and I more than 2 hours of prep time per week within school hours, while they run homework clubs and attend meetings after school, and buy their own glue sticks on the way home. Private school children are at an advantage in entrance exams regardless of the timing, because they tend to have smaller classes, a wider range of extra-curricular or specialist activities taught by actual specialists (violin, foreign languages, orchestra etc.) They are more likely to have a quiet place & the appropriate resources with which to study at home, and more likely to have parents who motivate them to learn.

I do think the decision to defer the Sports Scholarship at JAGS will be a big factor for many parents. We aren't sporty, but I can imagine if you were, that an offer in hand with a sports scholarship will appeal more than an offer where you won't know for another year. It's also a significant amount of money if memory serves me correctly.

I can see why they are doing it - this year, the DC who look better on paper will have a better shot at the co-curricular scholarships. It's always better to assess them live to do it properly.

Hope everyone is having a relaxing weekend and that all goes well with those doing assessments next week. The sun coming out has certainly helped here. That and a ceremonial gathering of 11+ materials to be burned or passed on to poor unfortunates who have this all to come next year.

Hi all, does anyone know how long the PHS interview will last (eg 15 mins) and what their interview approach might be?

@HappyNY - email states 15 minutes & as no-one has sat one this year anyone's comment on content can only be speculation

Cool. I could not find the email any longer - many thanks.

@PatoPato do you know if PHS interviews normally have an academic content ie in normal years ?

Hello montlieu we have been told by mums who applied to PHS in previous years that their interviews are normally very friendly, getting to know more about DC and what interests her. Of all of the schools, they are the least likely to throw in a curveball question apparently, however this isn't a normal year...

@montlieu I've no idea and have stopped combing old threads to find out.
After Friday's disastrous interview I've decided to just let DD get on with it with no more pre-interview discussion other than a quick look at the specific school she's interviewing for that day.
I can now see (from bitter experience) that natural is better than any kind of coached approach, certainly with DD
A lot rests on the interviewers to get the best out of the child which is quite right given we are talking about 10/11 year olds who might be understandably nervous. IPS blew me out of the water with their Saturday workshop - so warm & fun (not what I was expecting). I didn't feel the same about Friday's experience though maybe that was down to the time constraints.

@PatoPato yes the IPS workshop sounded good, but the English Mettl sounded harder work !!!!

thank you for feedback @dinosaurinmybelly that's what they say on the website.

A word of reassurance for the Putney Posse! I spoke to Laura and she reiterated its an informal interview. She also confirmed that EVERY candidate making it to interview would be offered a place or go on the waitlist. She said it was hard to quantify but there is always waitlist movement in the first year and that it was likely to be more so this year due to all the uncertainties. I hope this helps a bit.

If anyone knows how many girls will be in each group for WHS I’d be curious to know. I think it was 9 in previous years but that’s a lot to manage virtually.

That’s supposed to read movement in the first week not year!!

That is really encouraging stircrazyschoolmum. Thank you for sharing.

I have had the same feedback from girls who gave PHS interviews last year that it is not academic at all . I doubt any of the interviews will be academic unless specifically stated as they would have picked the academic potential off ISEB/entrance test .
I presume it will be more scenario based and of a generic nature for which there would be no prep lest it come across as tutored

@Stircrazyschoolmum - wow, I'm flabbergasted. I assumed that they'd have some kind of 2:1 interview:offer ratio like elsewhere
I agree that wait lists will move a lot but am worried that some might accept more than one place & only release a place (& forfeit the deposit) once they've been able to look round the schools physically. There are plenty who can afford to do that

Not sure how the random grin appeared in my pp !!!!

I fear you are correct about there being some who will be able to afford a deposit at a few schools while they mull it over Patopato

I’m trying to put all the dynamics out of my head for now and try to stay upbeat. Will let you know if I hear anything about WHS format stircrazymum

@dazedandconfused11plus we haven't got the dates for the LEH information sessions yet . When did they send out the mail ?

@Trialsat11 they sent an email yesterday with more info about the interviews and links to the information sessions

@flossietea was your interview scheduled for 19th? It says on the postal letter that the details will be sent a day before the interview and Im wondering that ours might not be until 20th in that case.

No-one picks up at Admissions :-(

@Trialsat11, Have you replied to LEH to confirm date and time of your DD's interview? I received the schedule last night as a reply to my email. I understood, you can attend any session of your choice either on 19, 20 or 21st Jan and there is no need to book.