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?

@Grandjany you’re lucky you had some guidance from your prep- ours seems useless and not much help saying all are good options which is lovely but doesn’t help us much. It’s been half term so Perhaps there will be more discussion clarity next week when everyone will be back at school and going to offer holders events. Did your DD go to GL with a few of her primary cohort?

Puzzedmon, Grandjany, my consideration is based on one simple rule - what your DD is like now against what you hope DD to be like, the same or a little bit different style?

In this way, we have four pathways to pick theoretically:
tough+ mild
touch+touch
mild + touch
mild + mild
(sorry for the typo)

My DD is from a state school, top in academic performance and with a mixture of friends of all types. Her personality is quiet and mild, easy to ground herself in her surroundings and learn. To fit her in any good school will be a good choice. To bear with some challenges (intellectually or socially) at a top school with peers of diversity will benefit her more as she has the potential and can handle some pressure. My choice is sort of clear?

@Broccolimagic we have exactly the same schools as you! Yes all 3 visits on the same day is going to be tricky but hopefully will help us decide. We love Radnor but my son is quite academic (science/history) and sporty so Emanuel feels like a better fit. My concern with Radnor is really only with its size it he would be challenged enough academically and have enough opportunities with sport. Ibstock we like too but Emanuel seems more friendly and grounded. He has lots of friends who will be at Radnor and Ibstock though (don’t know anyone going to Emanuel) so it’s not easy to decide. Travel to all 3 is OK for us so that’s not a deciding factor. Be really interested to hear what you’re thinking too.

@Mumalsoasfriend

Puzzedmon, Grandjany, my consideration is based on one simple rule - what your DD is like now against what you hope DD to be like, the same or a little bit different style?

In this way, we have four pathways to pick theoretically:
tough+ mild
touch+touch
mild + touch
mild + mild
(sorry for the typo)

My DD is from a state school, top in academic performance and with a mixture of friends of all types. Her personality is quiet and mild, easy to ground herself in her surroundings and learn. To fit her in any good school will be a good choice. To bear with some challenges (intellectually or socially) at a top school with peers of diversity will benefit her more as she has the potential and can handle some pressure. My choice is sort of clear?

I mean TOUGH

From 4 applications at girls schools (G&L, LEH, PHS, SHS) we have 2 offers - PHS and SHS (Academic scholarship).

Putney 40 mins away door to door from TW1 via the SW Trains (yes, I know ;-) , Surbiton similar (with walk to pick up point) on the school bus. DD is from state primary - academic, perhaps less sporty - enjoys creative writing, reading, history, textiles as well as science. PHS up there in the exam rankings, whilst SHS feels a little more relaxed. Ability ranking of DD at both institutions going through my mind. Both great schools and nice to have the choice - the open days this week will clarify so we can release one of the offers, but any nuggets of wisdom from the group most welcome..!

Hi @wombat67. We are also TW1. We didn’t apply to SHS in the end but have an offer from PHS and it’s DD favourite by far. Also from state primary here and sounds like a similar profile 😊 less sporty, more creative and science.

We are waiting for the offer holders events but good to know there maybe another DD going by train!

Mumalsoasfriend, to answer your questions, my child is mild and I hope will get stronger.
I think you will get more diversity at CLGS however if that is a strong prerogative

Hi there - I just wondered if anyone can clarify, is the acceptance deadline for all or most of the schools mentioned here on or about March 7th?

Did anyone here apply to the Thomas's Battersea Senior School?

@ swmu we just felt that there will be unnecessary pressure as G&L and LU will provide just as good result and few percent doesn’t make that much difference compared to the environment. We heard that from year 9 things at SPGS can get very stressful both from school and the pressure that the girls put themselves through to compete with one another . It also really worried us that we heard there was couple of older girls are at breaking point with stress.

Hi Alexia234, with half a dozen girls from her year as is usual each year from her school

@Westlondonmom22

@ swmu we just felt that there will be unnecessary pressure as G&L and LU will provide just as good result and few percent doesn’t make that much difference compared to the environment. We heard that from year 9 things at SPGS can get very stressful both from school and the pressure that the girls put themselves through to compete with one another . It also really worried us that we heard there was couple of older girls are at breaking point with stress.

@swmu

Just to reassure you, this has not been our experience of SPGS at all. DD is in year 10 and not stressed out, at least not by school - in fact starting GCSEs has been a real pleasure for her and she's enjoying it more and more as time goes on. Plus the school really is at pains to minimise competition between girls and instead focuses on doing your personal best.

@Emo76 yes it is 7th March, also an important date is state school offers published the evening of March 1st, so you will see WL moving mostly from March 2nd onwards.

Thanks @Westlondonmom22 and @Glaciferous for very useful information!

Would love any feedback on LU/Putney as we are pretty much down to those or FHSS. My DD has her heart set on LU but am very nervous about it being very big and her feeling lost. I was telling her how it's better to be a bigger fish in a smaller pond than vice versa but would love to hear from any mums with DD's in LU as to how they find it, especially in the first 2 years ( @Pigtastic ?) Have read so much about how tough it is to get a part in a play and things like that just from the number perspective. Any advice or feedback would be much appreciated! Thank you : )

Dear @ShaminaC, DD1 is in Y7 and she loves it. The school is big but there are so many opportunities to make friends, DD1 has a friendship group from Hokey/Netball, one from Football, one from her form and one from her tutor group. My experience with her is that she was on the B/C team on Hokey and D team in Netball and she is tech aid for the middle school play. I recommend it without hesitation. As a matter of fact DD2 just accept her offer there. Ask for more details

@wombat67 in my experience the girls at PHS grow up a little quicker than the girls at SHS, the parties start a bit earlier and are a little wilder. The girls at PHS seem more independent earlier.

@Pigtastic - thank you so much for your reply! DD is not particularly sporty but am not too worried about that. Just wondering how supportive and nurturing it is as we just moved here from Nigeria so she is quite innocent and not very street smart! She loves the school and the grounds and was so happy to be offered a place there that I don't think she wants to consider anything else but as the Mum I am a bit nervous.

@ShaminaC

In addition to @Pigtastic ‘s nice comment, my DS is Y7 at LU and his classmate girls are kind and so sweet! They are caring and my DS has good friends of both girls and boys.
Of course every school has many types of children and therefore my DS is pleased to be in the sea rather than a small pond.
He is leaning everyday and thrived.
Good luck.

@ShaminaC, Both my DDs come from a suburban all girls prep school. Definitely not street smart and very caring. DD1 has found no problem with the pastoral care at all and everyone is very kind. She comes back occasionally with some new naughty jokes, but I’m not sure it is because of LU 😉. I understand your worries when deciding, but the school is great!

I second @3WildOnes experience of PHS as more 'advanced' than SHS in terms of 'growing up'.

Would love to know the basis of the “more grown up” at PHS! I have 3 DC at 3 different secondaries (including PHS) and there is literally no difference! In fact I would say that my DD at PHS started going to parties much later than my other 2. Honestly … there generalisations make me smile. There is no “standard” and each year differs and it so depends on the child and their friendship groups! For what it’s worth PHS is wonderful school and DD1 has been very happy there !

Hi all
I heard back from Surbiton. It confirms what i had been told previously- 7 forms of 24 girls.
Is that about normal?
I think it sounds reasonable. Lovely admissions tutor- very friendly and cheerful. I think our mind is made.
Anybody else confirmed on surbiton?
Anybody on the waitlist for Sutton will be pleased that we are giving that up so movement is coming!

Thanks @FunkyT. Really helpful. I think that’s one extra class than most years but am sure the Surbiton Mums on here will correct me. I agree it’s a lovely school. Hope your DD has a wonderful time there.