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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

SW London 11+ worries

58 replies

Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 14:55

Is anyone able to give me some words of encouragement please as am feeling very discouraged about the 11+ process. DD is bright but not a genius. Better at English than maths but pretty much an all rounder and very diligent and enthusiastic. One of the stronger ones in her class (according to her teacher) at a state school but there are quite a few who are better at maths in the class for example. Support from the school during lockdown was unfortunately not good, and the school doesn’t get involved in the 11+ process in any way (understandably) so she’s not very well prepared. She’s been doing tutor sessions a couple of times a week for a while now and recently some practice papers, but only one or two a week - nothing like the full-on preparations others are doing. I just don’t want to push her too hard or force her to stop her hobbies. She’s a very natural, lovely, intelligent girl who I think will come across pretty well in interview but I expect will get marks no higher than 70-75% in her maths and 75-80% for English. And that’s if things go well! We’ve applied to a range of schools (only co-ed - her choice) and she likes them all. But from everything I’ve read I get the impression she doesn’t stand a chance of getting in anywhere and that the gulf between state and private is just too big!! The co-ed schools obviously only have half the number of places for girls and some are quite small schools. Single sex schools not an option for her. Does anyone have any good experiences of being in a similar boat and coming out the other side with some offers?! I really don’t want her to be knocked by this process. Thanks so much.

OP posts:
refusetobeasheep · 08/11/2021 14:57

There are some schools where that percentage should get her a place. Where are you trying?

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:02

Thanks. Don’t really want to say as will probably reveal who I am…but all in SW London/Surrey area. Several that I believe private schools view as back ups but which I believe are still v competitive.

OP posts:
cricketjoys85 · 08/11/2021 15:14

It would help if you say which schools but if it's along the lines of KGS , Radnor, Claremont Fan it sounds like you should be fine for Claremont and Radnor.

cricketjoys85 · 08/11/2021 15:16

Also to add there are so many girls only schools that girls do have betters odds in mixed schools.

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:18

Thanks. Worries me that places like Radnor only really have a handful of places for girls (or boys). Urgh. Does anyone have any positive stories of getting offers?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:19

Oh and thanks for your note re girls having a better chance - good point.

OP posts:
allycat4 · 08/11/2021 15:21

Genuine question - are there any good/outstanding state comprehensives near you? They might be a better route as they cater for all abilities.

cricketjoys85 · 08/11/2021 15:29

@Oldwreck , there are lots and lots of threads in this section of Mumsnet of dc being overwhelmed with offers, sometimes up to 8 schools, by early Feb. Most dc get the school they want in the end but it's a very long process. Once the offers come out everything moves again once the state school offers including Tiffin and the Sutton grammars are posted in early March. Last year LEH added another class at the last minute, the knock on effect of an extra 25 places at 1 top school is considerable. You just have to hold your nerve and try not to worry!

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:35

@allycat4 a couple of good (but not great) ones. We’ve applied and they are definitely an option, but I just don’t want her being too demoralised by not getting any private options. She’s one of the brightest in her class and yet I feel as if we’ll be scrabbling for a place. Where do the average or not very bright children go (who want to go private)? Of course I do realise we are very lucky to even be able to consider going private.

OP posts:
Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 15:37

@cricketjoys85 thank you thank you! Just the kind of encouragement I was hoping for! I will need to manage her expectations too.

OP posts:
refusetobeasheep · 08/11/2021 16:40

Just checking you know Radnor House is going to move to Kneller Hall? The Head reckoned would be at least two years in the present premises for anyone joining next year though.

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 16:45

@refusetobeasheep thanks yes, but as you say I can’t imagine that will have much of a bearing on how easy/difficult it is to get a place for next year though.

OP posts:
refusetobeasheep · 08/11/2021 17:03

I'm thinking it may bring the numbers applying down as there's so much uncertainty .... it certainly made us think twice

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 17:15

@refusetobeasheep you might well be right…

OP posts:
Lightalight · 08/11/2021 21:35

@oldwreck You are doing the right thing with some tutoring and practice papers. Just make sure of timings ;-)
A lot of SW London parents understandably worry about the 11+ offers , but as long as you are realistic with school choices, you will also certainly get offers as it all washes out.
Radnor is interesting as they got 50% uplift on recent open days. Maybe the Kneller Hall effect, but the latest inspection was excellent.
Is Kew House on your list? Very obtainable if she liked it!
Good luck.

NeverEnoughCake2 · 08/11/2021 21:51

Re being fine for Claremont, last year DS (also state school, lockdown learning being less than great, bit of tutoring) didn't get a Claremont offer, but did get offers at two schools that would traditionally be considered more academic, including his first choice. I know of others who were also surprised by Claremont's admissions decisions last year - not quite sure what was going on there, but I wouldn't recommend treating it as a banker!

But that's not to say that the state vs. private school gap isn't bridge-able, just that it might not be the school that you expect that makes the offer, and it doesn't hurt to include some of the schools that you think might be a bit of a stretch for your DC in the list.

1309username · 08/11/2021 21:52

I believe Emanuel say on their website their pass rate is 65% so it sounds like your daughter would perform well in that type of school.

JessyCarr · 08/11/2021 22:13

@1309username

I believe Emanuel say on their website their pass rate is 65% so it sounds like your daughter would perform well in that type of school.
If I remember rightly they say that is the basic pass mark required for sibling candidates under their sibling policy. It’s not an indication of what non-siblings need to achieve to get an offer.
SpLDLSA · 08/11/2021 22:33

Claremont is upping its game and going from non selective to mild selective to selective. Several of my friends didn't get a placement even though their kids were top of their class in maintained schools.

Also, do you know your DD CATs scores? That is another feature independent schools look at before making a decision. Anything above 130 will be worth considering any school and it will have a lot of weight in the decision making for the school.

Iamsodone · 08/11/2021 22:41

www.emanuel.org.uk/admissions/sibling-policy/

65% is only for siblings, which then leaves even less places for the non-siblings !

1309username · 08/11/2021 22:43

@JessyCarr, oh yes, it’s in the sibling admissions policy page, but I (wrongly) assumed that pass rate was for everyone.

@SpLDLSA, we just got our CAT scores and they’ve been my daughter’s best so far. We’ve already sent the end of year 5 report to two schools, but I wonder if our headmaster will send the latest score in their report.

RosesAndHellebores · 08/11/2021 22:51

One that stretches, one you expect to get, one as a backstop. Is St John's co-ed now? Is Felton Fleet still a backstop option for 11-13? Mine are grown up so I'm out of date from the time when you chucked them into the closest school and getting in was fairly simple if they ticked the boxes. However op my advice is to apply sensibly, don't overwhelm your child and keep an open mind. A happy child in a mediocre school will do better than an unhappy child in a top rated school.

Original poster
Oldwreck · 08/11/2021 23:28

Thank you everyone for the very helpful comments. There’s so much uncertainty about what is a useful back-up option these days (especially when no advice from your school) that you end up having to apply to more than you’d like to and risk overwhelming your child. I’d never heard of CAT scores till someone mentioned them on a tour a couple of weeks ago so I think a bit late to think about that now, even if they are available outside the private schools. I know I sound like a spoilt brat but it just feels so frustrating that my lovely, bright, eloquent DD is having to deal with this horrible process and is likely to have so little/no choice and will have to take what she gets, if anything, despite probably being more able than some of the very well-prepped private school children. (Just listening to myself as I write this is reminding me to sort myself out and stop being so spoilt.) Thanks again for taking the time to comment.

OP posts:
rattusrattus20 · 09/11/2021 00:08

it's not co-ed but Streatham and Clapham girls isn't hugely selective, above average at a regular state primary would usually be enough.

Sweetnhappy1 · 09/11/2021 00:18

@Oldwreck

Thank you everyone for the very helpful comments. There’s so much uncertainty about what is a useful back-up option these days (especially when no advice from your school) that you end up having to apply to more than you’d like to and risk overwhelming your child. I’d never heard of CAT scores till someone mentioned them on a tour a couple of weeks ago so I think a bit late to think about that now, even if they are available outside the private schools. I know I sound like a spoilt brat but it just feels so frustrating that my lovely, bright, eloquent DD is having to deal with this horrible process and is likely to have so little/no choice and will have to take what she gets, if anything, despite probably being more able than some of the very well-prepped private school children. (Just listening to myself as I write this is reminding me to sort myself out and stop being so spoilt.) Thanks again for taking the time to comment.
My DD went through it a few years ago from a state school and was absolutely fine. Everyone who applied ended up at a school that was right for them in the end. The process is only as horrible as you make it in your head. She was happy to sit for a few schools and didn't find the process particularly stressful.

My DS is going through it right now from a prep. I cringed at your comment: my lovely, bright, eloquent DD is having to deal with this horrible process and is likely to have so little/no choice and will have to take what she gets, if anything, despite probably being more able than some of the very well-prepped private school children. This is nonsense, give your head a wobble.