Page 12 | SW London Girls' Private & Grammar - applying for year 7 in 2022

SkaterGrrrrl · 2021-05-27T13:25:26+00:00

I watched with interest the information and support on this thread [[https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/4177427-PART-3-SW-London-Girls-Indies-11-Results-Decisions-Panic-Over]] and wanted to start the same thread for South West London parents with daughters who will be applying for secondaries (independents and grammar) for places in year 7 in Sept *2022*. Where are you applying, how are the virtual open days going..... and to tutor or not to tutor?

Meimng · 14/12/2021 12:00

I don't know how these "back up" schools manage their offers. I feel bad for them.

1forward2back · 14/12/2021 19:54

I think Sutton used to be a back up and maybe still is for some, but for us it’s first choice now I think - DD had a good time at the assessment day and really loved the lesson - I think it’ll suit her. I know some in our prep didn’t get offers from there last year and a few others have it as first choice too this year, so I think it’s a personal choice and all these schools over offer as girls school market is so over crowded and unpredictable. Last year in our prep almost all got offers from Surbiton - if not all - but only one actually went, as more went to Sutton, so I think they all must over offer by lots. Even schools like WHS/G+L will over offer as girls choose between them. We are going away tomorrow so won’t see the results from Sutton until we are back next Monday as they are posting! Will probably withdraw from Surbiton if we get a place.

SophyRivenhall · 15/12/2021 14:08

Like the OP, I followed last year's thread with interest and this year it's our turn. DD is at a state primary and I will be glad when the whole process is over!

Can I just ask anyone who has applied to FHSS if they have heard anything from them recently? I received an acknowledgment for the registration form and submitted the exam form before the deadline but haven't heard anything since.

Meimng · 15/12/2021 15:04

@1forward2back

I think Sutton used to be a back up and maybe still is for some, but for us it’s first choice now I think - DD had a good time at the assessment day and really loved the lesson - I think it’ll suit her. I know some in our prep didn’t get offers from there last year and a few others have it as first choice too this year, so I think it’s a personal choice and all these schools over offer as girls school market is so over crowded and unpredictable. Last year in our prep almost all got offers from Surbiton - if not all - but only one actually went, as more went to Sutton, so I think they all must over offer by lots. Even schools like WHS/G+L will over offer as girls choose between them. We are going away tomorrow so won’t see the results from Sutton until we are back next Monday as they are posting! Will probably withdraw from Surbiton if we get a place.

It's great that your family has made up your mind. School choice is so personal and I can feel that pastoral care at Sutton High is second to none. Best of luck!

1forward2back · 15/12/2021 15:25

Thanks @Meimng - which schools are you looking at?

Meimng · 15/12/2021 15:31

@1forward2back

Thanks *@Meimng* - which schools are you looking at?

I applied Sutton High, Surbiton High, City of London Freemen's, Kingston Grammar and Wimbledon High (didn't get through) we are currently not in the country so DD were sitting all assessments and interviews remotely! I also have younger siblings to worry about!

swgeek · 15/12/2021 18:38

@SophyRivenhall no news from FHSS or G&L so far. I believe G&L said candidates can take ISEB until Dec 10th and they would only even look at results after that date. In addition, FHSS says they interview everyone in Jnauary, so in a way there is no need for them to send out news really, I assume they will just send further details on their interview day in early January. Some of the co-ed schools we applied to have sent DD a Christmas card, which is a nice personal touch.

confusedmomfromBerlin · 16/12/2021 05:24

I got an email from FHRP confirming my daughter's interview in January. Wonderful news before Christmas!
But, even though in our initial communication with the school they asked us to come to the interview in person, now they wrote, that since we are abroad they will arrange Zoom call.

SophyRivenhall · 16/12/2021 10:50

Thanks @swgeek, that is reassuring. It was the Christmas cards from some of the schools plus emails with exam and/or interview dates from others which had made me wonder even though there isn't really any reason for them to be in touch (we have applied to a couple of other schools which interview everyone.)

HighRopes · 18/12/2021 13:50

Has anyone had the Sutton letter? Still no post here.

Meimng · 18/12/2021 15:02

@HighRopes we got it via email as we are overseas. DD got the offer :) but now I have a dilemma as DD also got City of London Freemen's. These two schools are different in many ways, does anyone have experience/opinion? Thanks in advance

HighRopes · 18/12/2021 16:12

Meimng I’m afraid I know nothing about City of London Freemen’s, but I’m sure someone on the thread will know.

The post finally arrived and we got a card congratulating dd but no actual offer letter. So good news!

1forward2back · 18/12/2021 17:30

Got my mum to go and get our post as we are away and all DDs friends had theirs. We got an offer from Sutton with a 5% scholarship too. @HighRopes the card was separate to the letter which was sent to us by our name. @Meimng our experience of Sutton in person has been great. Open Day we met some great girls and teachers and then DD had a tour on the entrance exam which she loved. It’s definitely got a warm vibe. We found Freeman’s very different in the way they dealt with us, but might just be our DD who is very down to earth and into everything. As was said, it is all such a personal choice and we just felt it suits our DD so will withdraw from Surbiton now. Whereabouts are you in the world?

HighRopes · 18/12/2021 18:40

Congratulations Meimng and 1forward!

SW17cleocat · 19/12/2021 10:29

Wondering what is going to happen to Jan exams now that lockdown is likely. I’ve heard Ibstock place are moving online. We’ve applied to Epsom and heard nothing (big paper exam is 6 Jan).
I’m guessing it’s too late for them to switch to ISEB given some kids won’t have done it. (My DD, state school, did hers at Alleyns, but state school kids who haven’t applied for any ISEB schools won’t have).
WHS - I guess the creative assessment day can be online like I think it was last year?
Alleyns - they’ve used ISEB as a first a screen, maybe the will ditch the in person paper exam and just do online interviews and offer based on that?

Can’t believe we’re here again!

SW17cleocat · 19/12/2021 10:31

Oh and congratulations Meimng and 1forward - great to have it all sorted ahead of Christmas!

HighRopes · 19/12/2021 11:34

I’m worried about the SPGS exam going online, and the all the interviews. The SPGS exam because last year’s thread said it was all last-minute and stressful and very noisy (all candidates had to keep their mikes on) and interviews because dd has grown to hate zoom and tries to hide under the table when forced to use it, even with grandparents. I can’t really blame her, but it’s not helpful!

confusedmomfromBerlin · 19/12/2021 11:49

@HighRopes I am also very worried about it! They haven't wrote me anything yet regarding the written exam. We are overseas and planned to come to London on the 2nd and it's getting more complicated by the minute.
Did have they sent you any information regarding the 5th yet?

SW17cleocat · 19/12/2021 11:54

We had Emmanuel interview online last week and it went ok, but it was one-on-one and 20 minutes long, which is easy peasy compared to group interviews/activities/tests etc. Emanuel did the tests online last year and by all accounts (that I heard) it was a complete disaster and considered unfair.

I guess we’ll find out in the days ahead.

HighRopes · 19/12/2021 12:04

@confusedmomfromBerlin I’ve had the info about the exam day timings etc from SPGS by email. Haven’t you had it? It was sent last week sometime. Nothing from them since, but of course term has ended. I assume they’ll have to decide on 2 or 3 Jan if they move to online, depending on Government announcements.

Sweetnhappy1 · 19/12/2021 12:06

Just lurking on this thread from the boys thread (also have a DD at WHS). It looks like they are discussing a 'circuit breaker' rather than full lockdown like last year. Obviously things can change but if it is a 'circuit breaker' it may not impact what the schools do as such. It may not involve school closures. Perhaps wishful thinking...

confusedmomfromBerlin · 19/12/2021 12:22

@HighRopes no I haven't received anything yet. The last message I got was on 30.11, saying that they will send the info soon and that's it

confusedmomfromBerlin · 19/12/2021 12:24

@HighRopes they did confirm that my daughter did get to the second stage though. So I'm bit puzzled that they haven't sent anything else yet

Meimng · 19/12/2021 12:37

Congrats @HighRopes @1forward2back for the offers! I feel very lucky indeed to have some offers secured. We are still in HK, a city which has the most stringent travel restrictions! I don't think we would be able to visit the schools in person before confirming a place which makes our decision even more difficult

HighRopes · 19/12/2021 13:03

@confusedmomfromBerlin I think it would be worth emailing admissions at SPGS and asking for the exam details. I think the ‘you got through to the second stage email’ said they would send the details by 15 Dec, and we are well beyond that. Plus I’ve found them really helpful.

Though with the travel news about Germany, would you be able to attend even if it did go ahead? Or would you be saying you’d need an electronic option?