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Secondary education

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

Original poster

SW London boys 11+ 2022 entry

412 replies

Sweetnhappy · 18/05/2021 17:01

Hi, my DS is in year 5 and we're struggling with not being able to see schools in person. We're having a think about where to apply and at the moment KCL is a favourite geographically but we haven't seen it so don't have a feel for the vibe. We went to see Hampton and KGS before the first lockdown without DS and liked them both. The Emanuel tours booked so quickly when they were released a few weeks ago, I think they are releasing more slots soon. Just wondering if anyone can give us a feeling of the vibe of these schools. Does anyone know what is happening with the headteacher at Kings? They seem to have an acting head at the moment.

OP posts:
swgeek · 12/02/2022 14:17

@Avidgardner same here, no post yet, just the email which is very short on detail. Would anyone who has receive the letter post here when their offer holders day is? Hope it comes on Monday finally!!

Parentingfor2 · 12/02/2022 15:01

No physical letter from KGS either.

Glassfull · 12/02/2022 15:56

Hi City would be our first, just the distance!!!

Glassfull · 12/02/2022 15:58

@Parentingfor2

City would be our first but just the distance!!!

Parentingfor2 · 12/02/2022 17:00

[quote Glassfull]@Parentingfor2

City would be our first but just the distance!!![/quote]
For us, City distance is an extra 30 mins travel per day vs next preferred option. As the city students say, it's good book reading time.

Parentingfor2 · 14/02/2022 10:28

@Avidgardner

Anybody received postal offer from KGS yet? We are waiting to hear back re scholarship and other than the email nothing has arrived yet.
@Avidgardener got a pile of post today, but still nothing from KGS. Hmm, did they forget to frank (or have underpaid postage on) all their post and so RM is not touching it!?
swgeek · 14/02/2022 10:30

no post from KGS here either but they have sent out the dates for their offer holders events via email so we are getting there slowly but surely...

Thisonesfortheroad · 14/02/2022 11:06

Still waiting for official letter from KGS…

Thisonesfortheroad · 14/02/2022 11:56

Emailed the school to let them know, they confirmed post was sent Thursday, and to give Royal Mail a couple more days.

sprite22 · 14/02/2022 15:05

Reposting from another thread - I am looking for parents who can share their POV on these schools-Hamptons, Whitgift, Trinity, KGS, Merchant Taylors ad Brighton. DS is very sporty and enthusiastic about STEM subjects and has managed to get offers from these schools. Location isn't a constraint. We haven't been able to visit schools as we haven't been staying in the UK. Also any experience regarding the extra costs at these schools per term ?

Avidgardner · 14/02/2022 16:35

Strange that nobody seems to have received the KGS pack - I can see the offer on the Portal and we have booked for the offer holder morning. Anybody else doing both Hampton and KGS offer holders visits? Think its going to come down to deciding between these two for us (...though still holding out a small hope for Tiffin and place at SPS 13+ was an amazing surprise but the hot-house pressure/extra cost is a concern for us).

Parentingfor2 · 14/02/2022 17:57

I suspect KGS messed up on sending their packs out.

We're going to do most of the school visits as to simulate the daily school commute and see the children in proper lessons.

Pyrfwondering · 14/02/2022 18:40

@Parentingfor2, the offer holders afternoon is generally for parents + boys to meet the Bursar + senior staff (Head of Music, Head of First Form, Head of Lower School, etc) rather than going jnto classrooms with ongoing lessons... at least that's how it was at RGS... different schools may do different things. The only school that took parents into live lessons was Gordon's and it was awkward... didn't get any sense of how good the learning was

Parentingfor2 · 14/02/2022 18:56

[quote Pyrfwondering]@Parentingfor2, the offer holders afternoon is generally for parents + boys to meet the Bursar + senior staff (Head of Music, Head of First Form, Head of Lower School, etc) rather than going jnto classrooms with ongoing lessons... at least that's how it was at RGS... different schools may do different things. The only school that took parents into live lessons was Gordon's and it was awkward... didn't get any sense of how good the learning was[/quote]
Luckily for us and from what I can tell, 4 of the schools offered tours to us. The one that didn't, we will be rejecting anyway. I think schools should offer tours after giving offers, after all, they should want to make sure the kids will be happy at their school.

Pyrfwondering · 14/02/2022 21:00

For some schools, they didn't have open days, so naturally, they would offer the opportunity for boys to visit before accepting offers. If schools have had open days before the exams, they may take a different approach, assuming boys & parents have got a feel for the culture and fit of the school to them.

Enjoy the Open Days!

Miffywonder · 19/02/2022 13:39

Our son received offers for KCS, KGS and Alleyns with scholarship for 11+ entry. We are relocating from Singapore, so looking for a school that has diversity, and an environment where new kids can fit in quickly. Our inclination is to go for KCS given its reputation. Wondering if any mum can share feedback on KCS? Thanks!

Parentingfor2 · 19/02/2022 14:23

@Miffywonder

Our son received offers for KCS, KGS and Alleyns with scholarship for 11+ entry. We are relocating from Singapore, so looking for a school that has diversity, and an environment where new kids can fit in quickly. Our inclination is to go for KCS given its reputation. Wondering if any mum can share feedback on KCS? Thanks!
You might find the level of diversity a bit lower in independent schools (vs state schools) despite what photos they show on their websites and brochures. Out of KCS and KGS visits, KGS seemed more diverse imho.
Parentingfor2 · 19/02/2022 17:13

@Miffywonder as a proxy of the diversity at each school, look at the members of the governing body.

Mumto4loveliesxx · 19/02/2022 21:31

My son and daughter are both at Alleyns, they settled quickly as it is so friendly and we’re delighted with it. It is very diverse. The teaching is amazing and Dulwich is a lovely location.
Good luck with your choice

Miffywonder · 20/02/2022 07:53

Thank you @Parentingfor2. @Mumto4loveliesxx actually Alleyns will be my first choice if my daughter has secured a place. She applied for 9+ but is on the waitlist as there are only 4 vacancies. So now our plan is to decide on school for my son and see what is available for my daughter in 2H2022. Thank you all for your input!

Thisonesfortheroad · 21/02/2022 15:00

Hi @Miffywonder, our impression of KCS in terms of ease of integration was very positive. My DS seemed very at home with the two boys who showed us around - by about midway it seemed to us almost like he had always known them. Really lovely, friendly and caring boys and I get the impression that sums up all the behaviour of all the boys and not just the ones who looked after us. The teachers seemed similarly down to earth and the admissions staff very friendly and helpful. Being very honest though, Dr Silverlock left a very sour impression however. Somewhat flippant/ arrogant when answering parents questions, which put us off asking any. However, I seem to remember reading he’s no longer at the school, so maybe we were his last cohort of prospective parents and he’d had enough of doing the job by then 🤷🏻‍♀️ Either way, it was very encouraging that his attitude hadn’t rubbed off on the other teachers we spoke to.

KGS has a strong reputation for its pastoral care and the creative arts. However, I find it’s academic achievements impressive too. I’m sure you’re aware that it takes both boys and girls, so may be an option for your DD too? Unfortunately we didn’t get to visit, so I can’t say much more.

Im not familiar with Alleyns, other than it’s reputation. If you feel it’s right for your DS then I’m sure it is.

Thisonesfortheroad · 21/02/2022 15:02

Oh cringe - I didn’t proofread, sorry!

Thisonesfortheroad · 21/02/2022 15:07

@Avidgardner I think we’re in a very similar position to you and will be going to both pen mornings too!

Which way are you currently leaning between KGS and Hampton?

Avidgardner · 21/02/2022 15:16

@Thisonesfortheroad we are totally confused and hoping the offer holders mornings help. Have not actually had the chance to visit KGS yet because of Covid. DS seems more keen on Hampton, but I think KGS will be a better fit for him as its co-ed and everything I have heard about pastoral care has been very positive. On the other hand Hampton seems academically stronger.

How are you finding the decision between the two?

Sweetnhappy1 · 21/02/2022 16:09

We're also stuck between KGS and Hampton. And possibly Whitgift 🫣