SW London Boys/Co-Ed Independent Schools 2022

[Nearlythattime]

We are in the process of registering our son for his 11+ entrance exams. We have seen a few schools recently and really like the open space of Ibstock and KCS. We are aiming for mid- academic schools as DS is fairly bright (CATs of 137/132 in Maths/English). I was hoping someone could provide insight on the stage one test for Ibstock. Is it a computer based test? Which subjects are tested?

I’d also be grateful for views on Hampton. I’ve heard great things but having seen the school, thought it lacked the green space some other schools offer and wonder whether it’s worth sitting. What is it about Hampton that gives it the edge above other schools?

Thank you in advance!

My son sat it on Sat and said it was very fast paced. Lots of reasoning questions and maths questions and left out a few due to timing. I have a son (currently at the school) who managed to finish the paper a few years ago and another who didn't finish the paper at all (came out in tears) but got offered both Hampton and Westminster so I think it is very dependent on the year. It did sound like there were an awful lot of boys sitting the test though.. Good luck all.

Hello, hope everyone is doing well. We got the results for Hampton written test yesterday. DS made us super proud and was invited for interview. Anybody have any idea how many children are called for interview and what is the actual intake.

Well done to your DS, @Mominafix

I have a DS who has just completed his first term at Hampton and loves it. No idea what the numbers are this year, but last year we were quoted the following in terms of stats:

800+ sat the exam (ISEB) and around 400 invited for interview
for 90 places available,

NB there are 140 in the year group but 30 places will have already been allocated via last year's 10+ and a further 20 as 'assured places' for strong Hampton prep candidates, so only 90 places left for the 11+ boys.

I don't know how many offers were made out of those 400 interviews last year but Hampton will always over-offer, as will all of the independent schools, because all DC generally apply for more than one school. Many will have applied for four or five or even more. And they can only go to one school no matter how clever they are!

My guess is that Hampton make at least 250/300 offers for those 90 places (rough ratio of 3 offers per place available?) on the basis that 2 out of every 3 candidates will probably turn them down. I know that sounds crazy to a family who really want the school. But Hampton are very often second choice for families who ideally want places at SPS/WUS/KCS. Other parents will turn down Hampton for a Sutton grammar or Tiffin. Still more will turn it down in favour of a co-ed option like KGS. And some simply don't like the fact that it's suburban and reliant on school coaches (cool London families tend not to like this and might prefer a more central London school...). And so on and so on.

I know it's easy to say now but try not to panic about numbers. The schools know what they are doing and generally DC tend to end up at a school that is right for them.

@ FlyingPandas, thank you so much. Your message was very informative and indeed helped ease my nerves for the moment.

Really hope DS finds the school best fit for him.

@Mominafix my DS did 10+ last year and we were given the stats. From memory, the top third went through each subsequent stage.

About 250 sat the exam, approx 90 were interviewed and 30 were offered. I don’t believe they over offer for 10+ as they can fill those spaces in the 11+
process.

I agree they will have to over offer in 11+ for the reasons FlyingPandas mentions. Good luck to your DS in the interview. He’s done so well already. I do hate this process though. We are still on it, despite having the Hampton place which corroborates FlyingPandas’ comments.