SHHS?

[NewMum112]

Good Morning ladies, two day to accept/reject schools, I would like to have some final views on SHHS please, I’m interested to hear the negatives as well as the positives, if you have a daughter there or visited the school before or even heard about +/- , really appreciated.

@EITEL and @NewMum112
I don’t think you are over thinking it, it’s a reasonable question to ask. I gave the name of the school we accepted, but can’t remember if it was compulsory to do so. In any event, our schools knew where else we applied because they asked on the application forms. Also, based on test results (especially if you applied to the consortium or did ISEB), they might have worked out the likelihood of offers or declines relative to the other schools you applied to. As to whether your replies to declined schools affects future applications of siblings, I’m not sure we could ever know.

Hello, I was asked the same question by 2 out of the 6 schools we applied to (one we accepted of course, so it didn’t matter). I answered honestly to both, but really stressed how it was a very difficult decision between that school and the school that we chose. I mentioned a few elements of the rejected school that we loved and that were hard to let go of, but said that, in the end, we thought that the selected school might prove a better fit for this particular child. They were very grateful for the feedback etc but I am not sure what they will put it down as.
I also have a daughter taking the 11+ this year (12 months age difference) so feel a bit worried about it. I worry that she won’t get as many offers as her sister (she is just as able) purely on the basis that they think that it will be a wasted offer.
Congratulations on SHHS, fully embrace and enjoy your choice, you will not be disappointed.

@GU24Mum @@Americanhoney
@Justanothergirl19
Thank you so much for your inputs, I really hope that doesn’t affect our DC in the future.

how it was a very difficult decision between that school and the school that we chose. I mentioned a few elements of the rejected school that we loved and that were hard to let go of,

We did this! - but still did not mention the school of choice to most of those we rejected!

Most of these are super selectives and admission is based on academic attainment/achievement. They want very able DCs - nothing less. They (hopefully) have perfected the maths to over offer. So as long as your next DC gets the scores .... should be fine.

We know of a family who tried for one school at 7+/8+ (have to check). There was an offer - the family turned it down. They applied again to the same school for 11+ and their DC was offered an academic award. The offer was turned down again because they opted for a better 'fit' (higher ranked really plus plus) school.

Regarding the question, do not be surprised if you get more than one email from the same school asking your chosen school - one school even said that they need it to close my DCs file - really? (Too many schools in the sentence!)

@NewMum112 I have been quite candid in letting the schools we declined know what our choices were, so they could see our dilemma in trying to make a choice. At the same time like @Justanothergirl19 have made reference to how hard the decision was. I think they simply use this for feedback and marketing purposes and wouldn’t overthink or worry about it at all. It would not be good practice or do themselves any favour if they used the information in any other way. Ethically, it cannot have any bearing or be used against a later application for another DC date will be assessed on their own merit and performance for such selective schools.

@TomorrowOnce
Again I thank you for your input, it’s always been reassuring.

@MumsRule20
Thank you, you are right, it shouldn’t affect other DC. Thanks.
It was a real dilemma, what school did you choose at the end?