Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

St Benedict's (Ealing) 11+ interview

15 replies

sotiredtoday · 20/01/2021 18:24

St Benedict's 11+ interview are 5 minutes long. This seems very odd ! Can anyone share what the format and content was last year and any idea what they are meant to do in those 5 minutes ?

OP posts:
Ripple11 · 21/01/2021 14:35

Not a lot is the answer! ...it did seem strange last year.
It’s was the first interview for DC, so it was a nice easy intro in the interview process.
FWIW all the children I know (6) got offers if they got an interview.

Ripple11 · 21/01/2021 19:58

@sotiredtoday Just has a chat with DC, Can't remember too much, but just a chat about likes at school / hobbies or interests / why St.B?
No tasks (ie describing a picture)

Good luck.

sotiredtoday · 22/01/2021 08:50

Thanks @Ripple11 ! That's really helpful.
And also good to know that they offer generously :) Any idea how many called to interview / how many offered / how many places ?

I have seen school reports showing that StBen does have a waiting list that it did not 'go through' as some children were reported as still being 'on' the waiting list at the end of the process.

OP posts:
Ripple11 · 22/01/2021 10:06

@sotiredtoday
I don't know actually numbers, but for example if you look at the website for offers/acceptances at Kew Green Prep and Ravenscourt Park Prep last yr the ratio is 21 offers/4 acceptances for St.B. Our school also had a 5/1 ratio.
All schools over offer, but I would surmise St.B over offer that bit more, as some parents look upon it as an insurance offer.
We liked it, but DC wasn't keen on 2 terms of Rugby or Fencing!

sotiredtoday · 22/01/2021 10:24

Indeed @ripple11, their choice of sports is not enticing ... Out of interest, where did you son chose to go instead ?

OP posts:
Ripple11 · 22/01/2021 11:04

He was lucky to get a few offers and is now at Hampton.
So far it's been very good good, in between quarantine spells and lockdown!

HappyMama2024 · 16/01/2023 23:10

Hi everyone,

oh wow, 5 mins for the interview? Other schools last between 30-45 mins

How can they make a decision about a candidate in that time?

Any more info about what they ask?

Daydreamscometrue · 17/01/2023 06:31

HappyMama2024 · 16/01/2023 23:10

Hi everyone,

oh wow, 5 mins for the interview? Other schools last between 30-45 mins

How can they make a decision about a candidate in that time?

Any more info about what they ask?

Congratulations on the interview! When do you have it?

Pastamaking · 17/01/2023 17:20

The interview was very general as far as DC can remember. Why St B's , fav subjects at school etc.
It seems more of a tick box exercise that they have seen the child and they can speak/answer!

HappyMama2024 · 18/01/2023 21:07

Thank you

@Pastamaking does your DC go the school now?

Spidey66 · 18/01/2023 21:10

Oh my brothers were there! It was over 40 years ago though, so the questions will have changed, I reckon!

Pastamaking · 19/01/2023 16:19

HappyMama2024 · 18/01/2023 21:07

Thank you

@Pastamaking does your DC go the school now?

No, but a friends son is and very happy.

HappyMama2024 · 23/01/2023 23:21

@Pastamaking thank you for responding.

HappyMama2024 · 09/02/2023 16:55

I hear there will be a new head in September.

New head is from the Oratory (not London one) does anyone know much about him?

I understand the current head is the one responsible for turning the school completely around after the sexual abuse allegations.

Anyone have any concerns about the school's history?

From what I have seen and heard the school has revamped all of its policies and Board and teaching staff.

EmotiveBubblez · 09/02/2023 17:45

The new Headmaster comes from the Oratory in Oxfordshire Joe Smith. interestingly they have become coed recently. I do not know much about him but will be interesting to see what he brings to the school.

Naturally I had concerns about the school's history but they have been alleviated by my conversations with current staff and parents.

Given the history, the school is under close scrutiny and have put in stronger safeguarding processes.

I also believe the management of the school has been distanced or removed from the protests too. So now they have a lay Board filled with professionals.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page