SW London Girls' Private & Grammar - applying for year 7 in 2023

[EmotiveBubblez]

i myself have been looking for this thread and have been unsuccessful. Saw a couple people mention it over the past day or so on the 2022 one.

so here we go, albeit a bit late.

has everyone visited all the schools on their lists?

how many schools are everyone applying to?

what schools are you applying to?

how is the preparation going?

i know some exams have taken place, how did they go?

wishing all the whirls good luck with preparation and exams, hope we all find the right schools for our daughters.

@secondaryquandries , congratulations too!
DD got a general interview too.
I think that in previous years they did some general and some academic (focused on the weakest part of the exam) - not sure if same applies this year, though.

Re KGS in the past it's been a general chat, ie 3 words to describe you, what book are you reading, why do you want to come to this school? Maybe what other schools are you applying to? There is lots on the interview threads from last year along these lines. In the past they use to do a maths or English interview if you were borderline but it would say in the email today if you were getting this. Scholarship candidates take another exam and would be notified separately.

My DS also got through KGS for a general interview. Delighted!

@Dallasdays congrats too!

And to you! Does anyone have any feeling about rough interview numbers vs places?

@sailingsunshine , many thanks, very useful.

My DS also selected for general interview at KGS! Absolutely thrilled!

Congratulations to your children!

@Dallasdays , it's hard to say as they can't afford to over offer due to size of site (ie no room for a bulge) but it's a back up school for a lot of candidates aiming for Hampton, KCS, LEH, PHS, WHS plus both Tiffin schools.
Surbiton High has an influence on KGS dd offers/acceptances because they are so near by and both excel in hockey and rowing. A reduced number of surbiton offers this year may influence the offer ratio for girls at KGS.

Thank you. Must be really difficult for the schools trying to get the right balance! Good luck to all DC xx

Well done to everyone on their interviews great news!!

Congrats all! Wonderful to hear so much good news. One step closer... 🤞

We didn’t get a KGS interview sadly, anyone else in the same boat? Not a surprise really but gutting nonetheless.

But in terms of interview type, when my eldest DD sat it there were general
interviews which meant you’d done really well and they just wanted to find out more about you and then academic interviews where they specified whether your interview was Maths or English focussed and it was when one area had been weaker in the exam.

huge congrats to everyone who has an interview!! Such great news and super happy for you xx

Huge congrats to everyone who got KGS

@confu5ed sorry to hear this.

have you got anymore assessments coming up?

Thanks for the good luck wishes @confu5ed . How long ago did your eldest DD sit the exam?

@Daydreamscometrue 2 years ago. She got a general interview and it was just quite a nice chat with standard questions and she was offered. I think if you have a general interview you have a very high chance of being offered. At least that was the case 2 years ago.

@EmotiveBubblez yes lots to come and KGS was always a stretch. We have quite a few other stretch ones in there but also some more realistic ones, although nothing seems certain.

So pleased to hear everyone’s good news though! Although it’s not us this time, I do remember that lovely feeling from last time!! X

Our DD didn't get an interview at KGS - although we haven't told her yet. I don't want to put her off / knock her confidence for the next exams. Congratulations to those that did - I thought it seemed like a really nice school.

@confu5ed which other schools is your DD taking exams for? We're applying for Surbiton, Claremont and Guildford. We're new to all this and today, I'm feeling we should've applied for more. Fingers crossed for an offer for at least one.

@confu5ed sorry to hear that your DC did not get an interview. I am sure you will get good news soon.
Thanks for your kind messages and generously sharing your insights on the KGS process. Really appreciated

@snowgirl1 sorry to hear that your DD did not get an Interview.
I agree with your take re: not telling her whilst in the middle of other exams - so much of their performance on the exam is the mood / state of mind. We "prepared the ground" by being vague with our DD about when results will arrive.
Thanks also for the good wishes.

@confu5ed @snowgirl1 we didn’t get an interview either and won’t be telling DS until after all exams are done.

Congratulations to everyone who got an interview! Good luck!

Sorry to hear not everyone get got through the KGS exam. I know how it feels from Tiffin. This is such a gruelling process but I'm sure all the children will be happy with the schools they get after it all.

Good luck to everyone with the upcoming exams!!

@confu5ed @snowgirl1 @Moshimoshii That's really tough on your DCs (and on you) but remember it's just one exam, on one day, and you have plenty more to go. And I think you're doing the right thing shielding your DC's from that news until the other exams are done - I'll definitely be doing the same when it's our turn next year. This is such a horrible process for them. Onwards...

Does anyone have any tips or insights for PHS round 1, which DD is sitting this week? The website gives very little away, saying it’s online with 30 mins maths + 30 mins English, but very little else and no example questions. Is it really maths and English or is there some NVR / VR questions thrown in for good measure?

@Westbournemum DD also sitting this week, I don't have any more details but I am expecting there to be some VR type questions in the English. I can't remember who told me this and I don't know how accurate it is, sorry! Good luck to your DD x

Thank you, and all the very best to your DD too. If anyone else has any insights on what types of question to expect, it would be appreciated. I really do think schools should let candidates know what style of questions to expect!