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Secondary education

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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:
BookShark · 25/02/2022 21:50

@sprite22 definitely consider Molesey. Public buses to KGS and school bus to Hampton. And unless you're deep into West Molesey, Hampton Court station is very walkable, no need to drive.

DS is at KGS - he has after school sports practice at Ditton Field twice a week, and games there once a week, and just walks home afterwards (unless I'm feeling nice and give him a lift). He misses the odd lesson for school matches but that's the exception, not the norm - usually they're on Saturdays so no problem juggling sport and academic commitments.

Happy to answer any questions about KGS or Molesey - we turned down Hampton for KGS and no regrets, getting the public bus into a town centre has given him so much more confidence and freedom, and we preferred the fact it was co-ed. Academically he's definitely being pushed, but that would have been the same at Hampton, I'm not sure there's much to choose between them in that respect.

7plus11plus · 25/02/2022 23:36

@hockeygrass
Yes words can’t describe how happy and relieved I am now. Westminster is the only school DS really wanted. We accepted the place the minute the offer came in today.

fabricaabandonada · 26/02/2022 10:00

@fabricaabandonada

Aaaand we got Westminster, woo how!
No the hard part is to convince DS to go to Westminster. Bribes, threats.. nothing seems to be working. Only wants to go to SPS or KCS..
7plus11plus · 26/02/2022 11:12

@fabricaabandonada
Is the distance or Saturday school? DS is dying to go to Westminster so no problem for us! 😂

fabricaabandonada · 26/02/2022 11:33

[quote 7plus11plus]@fabricaabandonada
Is the distance or Saturday school? DS is dying to go to Westminster so no problem for us! 😂[/quote]
Westminster is actually the closest to our home.. he doesn’t like the campus (we are “selling him the historics but no sale), esp as compared to SPS/Kings. Also he hates to be in a constant “marks based competition” as he perceives Westminster; thinks that would make him a “drone”.
In short, Westminster is our first choice but sadly not his.

7plus11plus · 26/02/2022 11:58

@fabricaabandonada
That’s interesting. They are all great schools. You won’t go wrong with any of them. For us, I love Habs but not DS. He actually said he didn’t want Habs during the interview and managed to get the flat No! 😭

fabricaabandonada · 26/02/2022 12:00

[quote 7plus11plus]@fabricaabandonada
That’s interesting. They are all great schools. You won’t go wrong with any of them. For us, I love Habs but not DS. He actually said he didn’t want Habs during the interview and managed to get the flat No! 😭[/quote]
I know.. this is tough. Luckily we have lots of time to make a decision.

Avidgardner · 27/02/2022 07:22

Congrats on the Westminster offers, fantastic achievement! @fabricaabandonada let me know if you find the secret to convincing DS to consider it, we have a similar issue with DS and SPS - he is not really entertaining it at all though it’s our closest school.

fabricaabandonada · 27/02/2022 10:34

Congrats @Avidgardner!

Bribery. Bribery seems to be the answer. Budgeting for a new iPad..

Pyrfwondering · 27/02/2022 11:13

@fabricaabandonada maybe hold fire on the new iPad... the school you settle on may want the boys to have something different (MS Surface).

All the schools are excellent. It would be difficult to put a hair between them. Maybe do a Pros & Cons list for each school (your DS and you) to see where you have common ground and what's able to overcome. It may come down to where their friends are going...?

Glassfull · 28/02/2022 11:53

We are going to say no to city today as my DS prefers Hamptons. I still feel City is so very great but not sure if i can convince him

Glassfull · 28/02/2022 11:54

Any guidance on why city and not hamptons?:)

Mumchumof2 · 28/02/2022 12:47

We have also accepted Hampton today. Now we are here, it feels so difficult to ‘let go’ of the other offers 🤔

Avidgardner · 28/02/2022 13:38

Congrats @Mumchumof2. Think we have also landed on Hampton - will be declining offers at KGS, RGS and St Pauls. I know its first world problems but it has been hard to make a decision.

Parentingfor2 · 01/03/2022 08:31

@travelturtle loved Emanuel - the school seemed to be very nurturing and had very happy children. DS was worried about the pending construction works which would most likely disrupt facilities and some lessons for a few years. His current preference is City, we haven't received Tiffin results yet. We have a few reservations on both City and Tiffin. City travel is a further away, and we sense it is slightly more stressful/pressured. Tiffins has Rugby and Dance which doesn't really suit DS and we didn't get to visit it in person (only did a virtual tour so no real sense of student wellbeing etc). Sounds strange but we sort of hope he doesn't get offered a place at Tiffin as to help make the decision making easier. He said logically (after writing up the pros and cons of his City v Emanuel v Tiffin) Tiffin should be his first choice, but his heart says City.

Mumchumof2 · 01/03/2022 09:22

@Avidgardner congrats to you too!!! We have similar offers too! My only reservation (too late as we have accepted Hampton now) is that none of his friends got through, so he will be started from scratch. I know so many are in this position- just worries me 😬

hockeygrass · 01/03/2022 09:35

@Mumchumof2 , don't worry, because of the selective nature of the school most go knowing no one including my ds. There is a day in June to meet the class and teacher and often a class meet up (ie picnic) is arranged before the first day of term which is a gentle get to know session too.

Mumchumof2 · 01/03/2022 09:39

Thank you @hockeygrass, the school was really reassuring at the offer/ tour day last week. I particularly like that they try and place classmates based on location to help their social lives outside school 😂💙

mimisilly · 01/03/2022 10:08

We just accept Hampton and let go RGS and Whitgift. DS heart settled firmly onto Hampton and offer event was quite satisfied. We are so looking forward to become a Hamptonian and Hampton parents.

Avidgardner · 01/03/2022 17:52

And just as we had settled the big debate at home, offer holder visits, pros and cons list etc., got final good news today that DS has a place at Tiffin. DS is really proud and happy about it.

Any others had news back from grammars today?

custardlover · 01/03/2022 18:30

I haven't engaged in this thread so far but my DS was offered a lovely place at St. Benedict's in Ealing. We've accepted and are v happy... except today he just got an offer for the London Oratory, and I don't know what to do! If there is anyone out there with insight I would be so grateful.

Firenze12 · 01/03/2022 19:30

I know friends who sat St Benedict's as a back up for the Oratory. Oratory was 100% first choice and they are v pleased with it. The Oratory is an excellent school. It don't know St Benedict's though and it depends what you are looking for in a school. Good luck with the decision!

Parentingfor2 · 01/03/2022 20:45

@Avidgardner same here, DS got an offer from Tiffin too... the pros and cons list is hurting DS head. Having a choice is good, just wish it was a lot more clear cut which to choose.

custardlover · 01/03/2022 21:01

@Firenze12

I know friends who sat St Benedict's as a back up for the Oratory. Oratory was 100% first choice and they are v pleased with it. The Oratory is an excellent school. It don't know St Benedict's though and it depends what you are looking for in a school. Good luck with the decision!
Thanks so much for replying. My instinct is that the Oratory is indeed an excellent school and I should feel like I've won the lottery; I just need to get DH on side too!
custardlover · 01/03/2022 21:01

(not to mention DS!)