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?

@squirrelofsw19 We turned down a school for dd1 that then offered a scholarship for dd2, so it didn’t seem to affect anything. I did a polite email but brief email.

@HighRopes

On school buses, my experience is that they are attractive in terms of safety but there’s not much else going for them. They’re limiting in other ways, especially as they get older. I did worry about dd1 on the tube by herself, but she’s not had a single creepy / bad experience. She has to deal with occasional delays and re-routing, but after a couple of times she was fine at dealing with them without panicking and needing my help. So this time round, I’ve excluded any schools that can’t be accessed by public transport in at least two ways from where we live. I certainly won’t be driving dd to school or back, I’ve got a job and it’s not doable.

How long was the tube ride for your DD1? My DD1's first choice is door to door 50mins with 40 mins tube ride (From tube station nearby home to the school)and I am a little worried. Second choice is school bus ride 30 mins with academic/music scholarship so I am tempted but want to let DD to choose as long as tube commute is OK..

Thank you @PricePoint @squirrelofsw19 and @HighRopes I'm about to decline a couple of offers today and was struggling with the right wording as we have a younger DD and don't want to burn any bridges! So terrified of saying the wrong thing!!

@Mum201014 i absolutely know the feeling - DD has had straight up no's from less selective schools too and makes me want to scream! I probably wont apply there for DD2 in a few years' time.... lets see

We have had no communications with any of the schools yet is that bad to wait until Monday? @everydayisspecial we have the same issue with DD she wants the longer commute it is hard to know what to do.

@LAgirl

Thank you *@PricePoint* *@squirrelofsw19 and @HighRopes* I'm about to decline a couple of offers today and was struggling with the right wording as we have a younger DD and don't want to burn any bridges! So terrified of saying the wrong thing!!

@Mum201014 i absolutely know the feeling - DD has had straight up no's from less selective schools too and makes me want to scream! I probably wont apply there for DD2 in a few years' time.... lets see

Registrar really won’t remember your communication about elder child when younger child applies. They won’t make child suffer for having unpleasant parents. Not that you would have been unpleasant! A simple decline will be fine. They’re dealing with hundreds of applicants.

@everydayisspecial dd1 did tube (40 minutes, walk at each end of about 5 mins). Never had a problem and it’s great that she’s now confident about travelling by herself, it has opened up opportunities for her.

Can I have some reassurance?!! DD's dad and I are agreed she should accept the nearer school, but DD is still asking to go to the one which we'd have to factor in an hour travelling time for - as opposed to cycling / a few stops on the bus. We're talking Kingston Grammar (nearer) versus Claremon Fan. We'll go to the offer holder day at KGS next week, I just hope she doesn't go in with a negative attitude ... What would others do? Prioritise being local and having local friends or let DD make the choice? My gut is we have to parent here (we know what it important to most teenagers, she doesn' t yet!) but I'm having a wobble!

Academically KGS is a much stronger school. It has a 6th form with track record of Oxbridge offers plus a strong drama and music dept.
Also it's in the centre of Kingston with all the shops and cafes as you know.
Have you shown your dd the KGS sports ground in Thames Ditton? It has the same spacious feel as the grounds of Claremont plus the opportunity to learn to row as a school sport. I think you should be firm in insisting she takes the opportunities of KGS plus the easy commute. Also congratulate her on having the KGS offer, it's not easy to achieve.

Thanks @sunshineclouds24 that's what I need to hear!! She has seen the sports field at Thames Ditton, although it was torrential rain at the time so not best timing! She was buzzing after the KGS open day, but seems to have forgotten that ....

@SpringCalling , rowing is a really great sport as everyone starts as a beginner and it's social as well as fun and fantastic for fitness. The KGS boat house is across the river from Hampton Court palace in such a stunning setting.

The KGS pupils love hanging out in Kingston too and having so many cafe options. With Claremont most of the pupils use the school coaches etc, there is no after school hanging out.

@sunshineclouds24 DD has the build for rowing (her father used to row too) so that's a great point. And the hanging out after school - will mention that!

Long-term KGS makes so much more sense than Claremont. You have to parent here. In the sixth form I'd imagine they can go out and get sandwiches, go to a cafe etc which is fun and feels grown up. That's not a possibility at Claremont is it? Or is it? I don't know but thought the school was tucked far away in a field. A very nice field but a field nonetheless. Kingston also in the centre of things. I'd think the social life would be much better at KGS! And transport is so much easier. You must get a bus with Claremont? Kingston has much more access to train line, public bus etc

I know children at both schools who are very happy. KGS is more academic because they are selective and therefore of course more kids go to Oxbridge... if that's your goal. Kids are
Driven to achieve ..Lots of homework etc at a very early stage. No open playing grounds at break time - which is the benefit of schools like Claremont . However they have great sport facilities for sure - again if that's important to you.

It's all about the child and what you feel is a good place for her to flourish and grow. Plenty of kids turn down KGS for less academic schools because they want an all round experience.

Where are you based spring?

I think this is a no brainer. Transport times are often overlooked but are very important in my opinion. KGS is closer and academically stronger. Once your daughter has seen KGS again, I'm sure she will love it! Many congratulations to your dd for gaining these offers.

I’d always recommend the nearer school. Remember it’s not just everyday commuting but after school clubs/practices/weekend rehearsals for plays/parents evenings or events/early morning drop off for a trip away. KGS has a great reputation too.

@SpringCalling I think we are leaning towards turning down KGS in favour of Epsom College so similar to your situation. Proximity and convenience are great but in the end I feel it's about fit as well, getting up a bit earlier will be totally worth it if it means your child is happy and confident. Just wanted to add a different opinion to posters above. If you think your daughter will be happy at KGS, of course it is a no brainer, but in the end it won't suit every child.

I am facing similar situation as @SpringCalling. A few bus stop or walking to kgs and an hour away to G&L. My DD insisted no co Ed and she desperately wanted to go to G&L. My brain wants kgs and my heart wants to agree with DDs. Really hard decision.

We are in a similar position we will decline KGS and SPGS and that was her choice and ours which worked great . But LEH is the best option in terms of distance but DD wants G&L or LU. We are not keen on coed but we do like the school. Anyone has insight and a DD at G&l or LEH ? Could you please share positive and negative, social etc. it will be greatly appreciated. G&l will be 30-40 min LEH a little less but I can just put DD on the school bus which I like as it will be less worry etc

How is everyone getting on decision making? It feels such a relief to have made a decision and now focusing on getting started!

I'm a lurker on this thread - we'll be going through the 11+ process in two years, and if (like me) you know very little about it, this thread has been an education. Thanks so much to all the posters - it's been great seeing all your offers come in. I hope you all find the final decision-making not too torturous and that all your girls end up in the right schools for them.

@Westlondonmom22 - I was really intrigued that you'd turned down SPGS. At my DD's school, SPGS is basically the holy grail! I know of only one person who's turned it down in the past five years, but one of the teachers did say to me recently that things have changed this year, post pandemic, and that lots of parents were much more focussed on pastoral care than straight academics. We'll start doing school visits next academic year (and SPGS is on the list) so I'l be really interested to know (if you don't mind saying) why you didn't feel it was right.

we are still stuck between surbiton and swips ...any views on both gratefully received

We’re considering between G&L and SPGS. Could you tell us the reasons that you don’t choose SPGS if you don’t mind? Thanks

@deerison we're in Ham, so a hop on the #65 to Kingston / maybe cycle in summer. Thanks all for your input. I do think DD could do with being stretched (tendency to coast) so that's a factor too.

@sugar001 ooh that's tough! No co-Ed is so definite ... Are you taking her to the taster day next week anyway to see if any change of heart?