PART 3: SW London Girl's Indies 11+ Results, Decisions & Panic Over?

[MumsRule20]

WELCOME TO PART 3!!

Previously…

PART 1 started by Oceane11plus in July 2020 for the SW London Girl’s 11+ 2021 cohort (pandemic year).
PART 2 continued the journey (exam pandemic panic).

Both Part 1 & 2 quickly reached the MN quota of 1000 posts!

Will PART 3 be our final episode? Keep supportively posting as we make our final decisions on offers, WL movement & starting Year 7 (hopefully post-pandemic)...

@LittleBlackBear Are you talking about Jags? If so you’re not the only one, we have only received information about the parents’ webminar but nothing regarding a separate session for DDs and objects to chose... Oh well, it’s too late now and she’s got some activity this am so she won’t be around anyway.

@Stircrazyschoolmum @stellagibbons Where did you have to register for this specific session? Unless I missed something we only received one email with a link to register to the parents’ webminar.

@MumsRule20 Thanks for opening this third thread. I look forward to reading about how things do pan out for those who are still undecided or on WL. A busy week ahead on here...

@Oceane11Plus @LittleBlackBear There was an email entitled ‘fun day’ with two paragraphs under the picture one saying Parents register here and a second saying students register here.. there are time slots running at 9/10/11 in parallel to parent slots.

Ah yes indeed just seen it now. It says deadline to register was yesterday.
I hope your DD enjoys the call - it’s make or break for you, isn’t it @Stircrazyschoolmum?

Hello, hurrah for thread 3. We too have accepted LEH. It’s exciting to see that so many have. 😊

Such great results for a lot of the DDs on here - well done to all of them! We have also accepted LEH - glad to see so many on here.

Good luck to all those still waiting - it will be a very exciting next few days!

Yup it’s for the JAGS fun day. Thanks so much everyone for the replies about it. OH had registered for the events and the emails about them were buried in his inbox So glad it was mentioned on this thread - proving how useful it is again!

@MumsRule20 thanks for starting part 3

Thanks too to the core group of Mum’s who have been posting over the last 3 threads. Like others, it has been a great comfort to know others going through the same angst I have been (whilst my husband stays cool as a cucumber through-out). We just completed the JAGs morning and my dd finally came round to my view that this was the school for her (she really liked Woldingham, but in the end was entranced by the sixth formers she spoke to today - the format was intimate, friendly and fun). I wish everyone best of luck finalising their choices. Particular thoughts for those stressing on wait lists. We are releasing 3 places today, so agree with others, that there should be movement very soon.

About the LEH blazer- true that they never wear them but I would definitely have one. Yes, my DD wore hers once this fall (when it was required to do so).

@Mumof2SW12 do you mind sharing which schools you’re releasing? We’re on various WL and I’m trying to keep my hopes up!
Thank you.

Not sure it will help - our mix was a bit eclectic (included a potential relocation hedge) - but happy to share. We are releasing places at Woldingham, Croydon High and Emanuel. Hope you don’t stay Troubled for long.

I think things are really going to move on Monday @Tr0ubled
I wonder how many on here are still waiting on state places - grammar, Graveney, kingsdale etc. ? That’s more of an indication this year I think. Due to covid I reckon more will take state, for financial reasons. Is anyone else like us waiting on this on Monday?

@Corblimbea - yes we are (waiting on Kingsdale and Graveney) - I'm pretty sure we're going to take JAGS, but we do want to be certain as it's a big decision. We will definitely be deciding one way or the other on Tuesday though.

I think the WLs will start to move Tuesday onwards - we've just had an email from JAGS after the offer holders event reminding us of the deadline to accept and asking us to decline as soon as possible if we've made up our minds for the benefit of those on the waitlist.

We have Kingsdale with music scholarship and Charter, but we’re taking Alleyn’s

Really impressed by the extras as well as approach but it is a big decision

Waiting on I should say rather than have

Hello lovely London people!

I've been watching this thread for weeks now and it's been so helpful and reassuring amidst all the trials and tribulations of the 11+ this year. My DD had a few offers at SW London girls schools and we've finally narrowed it down to Putney!

There seems to be a lot of chat on this thread about JAGS, LEH, Surbiton, LU, Emanuel, Sutton and SPGS, but just wondered if there's anyone else out there opting for Putney?

Unfortunately we never managed to look around any of those schools but the reason we've decided on Putney is the smallish year group and the focus on pastoral care and also 'fun'! Would anyone be able to weigh in with their insights - interested to hear the negatives as well as the positives!

DD is a gentle soul and quiet, but also quite quirky. Not particularly sporty or musical. Very bright and in fact we're turning down offers from some more academic schools, so feeling like we're going against the grain to some extent (although I'm making the assumption here that most London parents 'trade up' - is that true?). Like the idea of a school where most of the teachers know her individually, she's not just another number, etc.

I think there's about 100 in a year so smaller than Surbiton, LEH and G&L; however, the class sizes are perhaps larger than other girls' schools - does this make a difference?

What is the science teaching like at A-level (perhaps the results seem weaker there than arts and humanities?) and is there a big exodus after GCSEs? Ideally would like DD to stay all the way through to A-levels.

Coming from state so slightly worried about the King's Road/Made in Chelsea stereotype - but maybe that's not a thing either?

Anything you can share would be very much appreciated!

@Mumof2SW12 thank you, it does help as on Emanuel WL!
@MarshaBradyo we’re also on Alleyn’s WL.

Tbh still in a quandary as to which we’d take, if offered of course!!

Troubled good luck! I’d love someone else to choose same. I think it’s whittled down now on this thread. I got an email today urging people to let know decision to hopefully move WL along. I’ve replied as acceptance.

@Corblimbea we are also waiting for the Monday state offer.

@Itisa where are your other offers for?

Thanks @Flossitea for the heads up re school blazer. Our DD also decided to take up LEH offer and would love to get the uniform now! DS is next door at Hampton and I remember him trying on the winter pullover and blazer in 35c in July (the jumper was never worn!!) I will get us organised a bit earlier for LEH. someone mentioned somewhere in this record breaking long threat a what’s up for LEH for new starters - is that set up? Lovely idea.

Hi Corblimbea. It was mainly the other central/south London schools - both girls & co-ed - that were doing ISEB as this meant only one exam and low stress for DD!

Are you considering Putney? It's so hard to get a 'feel' for a school without visiting. We don't know any parents at most of the schools DD applied to, so it's been a case of using the schools' own websites, the Good Schools Guide and Tatler!

Any insights - both good and bad? Thank you

@Itisa - it's a lovely school. You won't regret the choice.

Hello lovely ladies

I have news! First let me say, the jags event this morning was excellent.. I think Alex Hutchinson is going to be an amazing head there and both parent and pupil events were very well handled. DH and I would have had no qualms taking a place..

However..

Our hearts are in Putney! There are so many things that DD enjoys that the school offers and I firmly believe that a happy child will thrive. So @Itisa we find ourselves in the same position as you. We will turn down our more academic offer because our guts are telling us that PHS is right for us. It’s very much against the grain not to head to Dulwich from where we live but ironically the commute is slightly shorter and DD quite likes the idea of being a trailblazer!

So that’s an Alleyns and jags offer freed up and off to a happy home on Monday! :-)

DD and I are literally buzzing (me helped by wine!). It is so nice to reach a decision and I appreciate so much all the tips, guidance and non judgemental support on these threads. I hope I can help next years threads as much.

@Stircrazyschoolmum Congratulations on the decision. I can understand the relief you must feel. I also wanted to let you know that we made a similar decision with older DCs - going for the “less academic” option, which took a lot of bravery on my side (e.g. think about turning down SPGS...). If it was to do it again, we would take the same decision. Every day.
We also very much enjoyed the Jags Q&A. My husband (who can’t even spell the name of these schools ) was very impressed with the leadership team, very dynamic, and is glad we accepted the offer

@Stircrazyschoolmum great news! I think it's always been PHS for you in hindsight isn't it, but definitely the right decision to consider all the options!