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

[SkaterGrrrrl]

I watched with interest the information and support on this thread 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?

It really is stressy isn't it? Which leads to us second guessing every possible thing at the moment! I re-watched the KGS 11 plus video last night and my mood soared as the stats of interview to offer seemed to be better than i had noted previously (250-300 interviewed, for 125 places whereas i had 400 interviewed in other notes), but then this morning as interview link came through it re-iterates not all interviewees get a place so down i plunge again. even though i know full well in both stats that not all interviewees get a place! gotta get a grip!!!

No idea how many will KGS over offer. DD is going to sit 11+ interview tomorrow and second DD for 10+ on Wed (just got the email). The school, again, said it's getting more competitive each year, for 10+, it is 350 for 25 places. Just wish my DDs best of luck and show their personalities in a rather short online conversation!

@refusetobeasheep I heard that in the virtual tour, too, he said only 250 invited for the 11+ interview but I wonder if he mixed up the numbers? It can't only be 250? Of course I wish it was true. Either way, best to wait patiently till Feb 11th, I don't want to get our hopes up in case there is bad news coming in Feb...

Anyone else waiting for KGS 10+ results?

@RM46

Anyone here already have a DD at SPGS? Can you give an honest opinion of how they’re finding it? My DD has done her interview there, it’s sort of taken us all by surprise that she went all the way to interview (she’s currently in a state school) and obvs who knows if she’ll be offered a place, BUT now I have people telling me to “think carefully” if she does get an offer bc it’ll be fiercely competitive/pressurised/her mental health might suffer/will she keep up/is it the right fit for her… etc etc. Again, it’s not like we actually have an offer right now anyway but if she does get one, she is pretty determined she wants to take it. I just want to make sure if she were to, that we make the right choice and don’t get seduced by the name/league table position etc. It’s obviously an amazing and impressive school but I’d be grateful for any “real world” experiences if anyone has them to share. Thank you x

I do (older dd). Also from a state primary. Happy to PM, but in summary the pressure is what the girls put on themselves and doesn’t come from the school, at least so far (she’s not in exam years yet). There is a certain amount of learning not to over-commit herself by doing too much extra-curricular stuff and regretting it… Overall, older dd is thriving - complains the terms are too short and the holidays too long!

@swgeek , they must offer at least 250 places because lots of dc have KGS as a back up school so they have to interview more than 250. As I've said before on threads in my ds's class at Hampton most of the class had turned down a KGS place. The reality is lots and lots of dc get 5 offers from schools and many turn them all down and go to Tiffin.

@SWgeek to an extent clouds might be right about KGS interview . It was a few years ago but there were definitely three types of candidates at the interviews. Those that got general interviews with no academic Qs usually got an offer - those that had a few academic questions were more likely to end up on wait list ( but a child could convert it to a offer if the interview went well) and those that had a question paper waiting for them on arrival ended up with no offer or a wait list place . Both my DD and DS got a place having had the "cosy chat" interview . The other boys from his school all had some sort of academic questions and they were wait listed . Note that the places for Boys are much more competitive so a girl is statistically more likely to get an offer than a boy - or certainly that was how it used to be. But also note the wait list does move too ! Good luck with getting a place . Whilst we didn't end up there it is certainly a lovely school.

Thank you @HighRopes that’s wonderful to hear, glad she is thriving there and appreciate you sharing your experience

@RM46

Thank you *@HighRopes* that’s wonderful to hear, glad she is thriving there and appreciate you sharing your experience

Thank you indeed *@HighRopes, @RM46* and everyone who has posted such useful information for clueless people like me. I'm a recent lurker and in relatively similar shoes to RM46 in that DD attends a (in our case crappy) state primary. We've been surprised by interview invitations, including SPGS. Now we're partly excited that things have gone the way they have, partly terrified interviews will all still lead nowhere and partly terrified they will!

@shorepath ha!! Nodding along as I read this 😂well good luck to you and yours, here’s hoping for good outcomes 🙏🏻

My kids were state too so please don't let that feel you are at a massive disadvantage . The schools they apply to know that state school applicants have had a different preparation path in comparison to the prep schools - the latter will have been doing daily test papers for most of last term. The schools are not fooled by the prep school uniforms ( our state school uniform looked really shabby in comparison ) or the number of badges on the blazer lapels. They also know the reports written by the schools might have been less strategically honed and no support in interview practice. Certainly that was my experience . The same schools like Hampton, LEH, LUL, G&L, KGSetc etc all keep on offering year upon year to the kids at our school so they must like what they get. If anything the state school kids might well have had a wider curriculum rather than the entrance prep focus . I think the schools are also pretty good at offering to those who they think will flourish at their school. So if SPGS makes your DD an offer it's because they think she definitely has what it takes. Good luck

Hello 11+ mums,

I’ve had a son go through the exams last year and completely feel your pain. You are very nearly there though…hang in there!

I have a daughter in year 5. She’s doing relatively well in an academic prep. Her CAT scores however were 112! Does anyone know what sort of CATs are Putney and Surbiton are looking for?

Thank you

Hi @RM46 I have a daughter currently in the MIV at SPGS (Y7), super happy and now going through the process all again with DD2. Happy to answer any questions if that's helpful. DD1 got offers from a number of other schools and many on these threads were super helpful when the time came to make a decision. My advice would be to wait until you there rather than start the worry process now. There is still quite a wait and it will drive you mad!

Plus once the offers are out, all the schools offer helpful offer holders' days which allows you to gain a much better insight on what it is actually like and the shoe is on the other foot so you can ask without any "fears" IYKWIM.

I think the biggest lesson I learnt after last year was that there is a certain unjustified fear around SPGS which is false and also that there is very little to differentiate the top girls' schools. This time round, we are much more relaxed simply holding those thoughts.

HTH.

Hi @Sugar118 I don't know what they look for but I can tell you that my DD (at the same Y5 Stage) got CATS of 132 for VR, 111 QR and 115 NVR. She was advised she should be OK for Surbiton (correctly so far as she was called for interview, but obv offers not out yet). We didn't ask about Putney, but I suspect we would have been told that was aspirational with her CAT scores at that stage. ie have a go but you need a back up!

@Sugar118 we were told 122 was in the range for Putney but I’m not sure how much they look at them. It’s also worth noting that this years assessment did not include reasoning. The first round was online Maths and English. Second round group discussion and interview etc.

Hi everyone. My dd had her interview today at G&L as couldn't make main interview date last Friday. We absolutely love G&L - my husband took dd and met some Sixth formers today and the Admissions Team, who were utterly charming and made them feel so welcome and at ease. Dd really felt very relaxed with the teachers who interviewed her too. I understand the numbers are crazy applying - does anyone know roughly how many offers are made versus number of places offered? We really have our hearts set on it.

@Thisisconfusing thank you for your post and best wishes. I’m just going to wait for things to unfold and see where we get to 🤗 and trust in the process that she’ll end up in the right place for her

@Chiswickmama that’s really interesting to hear your experiences and point of view and you’re absolutely right, I’m going to just enjoy the fact she doesn’t have to do any more studying at this point and we’ll wait to see what happens as the weeks unfold!

Did anyone find out what day offers will be posted for Surbiton and Putney, or if they’ll be emailed? Surbiton says early Feb, and Putney says mid Feb. If they are posting letters, would much prefer to have a date as our post hasn’t been arriving, so if they’re doing it by post there’s a good chance I won’t get the letter for weeks. If I know the date, I can email the school and ask for an electronic copy.

@HighRopes if I were you I would email them and ask for the electronic copy, just in case. I think at the end of the day they will all send the letters around 10th or 11th, right before the half term

@firefly123 I am not quite sure how many it will be great to know! Our DD had hers last week and she liked it too. How did your DD find the interview?

We were a few years ago but when we applied to Surbiton & Putney they didn't give a specific date and both arrived earlier than expected . Surbiton like the offer holders to get along to their offer holders day pretty sharpish presumably to hook some who might go elsewhere . I think Surbiton was actually end of Jan in our year . Those that have specific dates generally stuck to them - although LEH did post early and so arrived a day early . Good luck - I know how nerve wracking it is.

Dd found the interview at G&L very nice and relaxed @Westlondonmom22. It was with two teachers who were lovely- she said and she was shown some images about the environment. Her dad said she came out beeming. The whole experience was very positive. Keeping fingers crossed for an offer. The lovely Admissions Team said about half of candidates who applied were invited back for interview ... so roughly 480! .

@firefly123 that is a lot I thought it was about 250!!
What other schools did you apply to?

Hi everyone, does anyone know how many are interviewed at Putney vs places offered?
Mine found the interview fun but difficult…