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Secondary education

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

Original poster

London boys independent schools - year 7 in 2023

86 replies

crazymama123 · 29/11/2022 13:19

Hi everyone,

I was wondering how everyone is getting on with the 11+ exams for London boys independent schools? There's a great thread on girls schools in SW London, so i wondered if anyone was interested in a thread for boys? We're applying to UCS, Highgate, City, Westminster and Forest and are just kicking off the exams.

Is anyone else in the same position? The lack of choice or control in the process, or knowing whether DS has a realistic chance of getting in is so stressful! And the exams being over such a long period (for us the end of November through to early Jan and then hopefully interviews end of Jan), means we've got such a long period to get through.

Anyway, thought I'd reach out in case anyone else is in a similar position and wants support. x

OP posts:
KindergartenKop · 29/11/2022 15:46

Go on the girls' thread, there are loads of parents of boys too :)

Original poster
crazymama123 · 29/11/2022 15:51

Thanks. It seems to be focussed on the SW schools so i haven't seen any comments about the schools we're applying for, so i'm not sure if it's that relevant.

OP posts:
KindergartenKop · 29/11/2022 16:20

I see the distinction now. We are applying to SW London boys and mixed schools. None that you mentioned though!

drizzledon · 29/11/2022 17:15

We’re applying to City and SE London (actually Croydon) boys schools, but for 10+

sugarcookie5 · 31/12/2022 16:19

Anyone’s DC going for Halliford or St James?

SchoolCountdown · 31/12/2022 23:26

@crazymama123 Just come across your thread.

We’re trying for Habs and St. Albans and keen to hear from anyone doing similar and applying to London Independent's/M25 corridor schools.

Really hoping DS gets into at least one. How are you finding the process and schedule so far for your list of schools?

vvvvb · 31/12/2022 23:33

MTS?

SchoolCountdown · 01/01/2023 21:02

@vvvvb Didn’t explore MTS due to distance, which is a shame as have heard positive things about it.

Original poster
crazymama123 · 03/01/2023 14:19

Schedule really feels to be dragging on. I wish they'd all finished exams before christmas so they could move onto interviews after the holidays. My DS has completely lost the motivation to study any more and I just want them to be over now.

How's everyone else finding it?

OP posts:
drizzledon · 03/01/2023 14:28

I agree, it’s really dragging on 😩At least City let us know the exam result within a week, which I appreciated! Not heard from anywhere else. We’re done with the academic exams though, I can’t imagine how awful it must be to have that hanging over you all holiday (we are doing 10+).

SchoolCountdown · 03/01/2023 16:19

We’ve got a couple more exams to go. Should be done by next week. Let’s hope we all get offers from our preferred schools to make it all worthwhile!

@drizzledon What schools are towards the top of your list?

drizzledon · 03/01/2023 16:27

I’m really not sure at this time! I started off with one view based on the local school I knew best but learning more about the other schools through this process. Local school vs travelling into London will be the biggest factor but for now I’m reserving judgement until we have offers in hand.

Original poster
crazymama123 · 03/01/2023 16:44

drizzledon · 03/01/2023 14:28

I agree, it’s really dragging on 😩At least City let us know the exam result within a week, which I appreciated! Not heard from anywhere else. We’re done with the academic exams though, I can’t imagine how awful it must be to have that hanging over you all holiday (we are doing 10+).

Yeah it was great to hear so soon from city, and i'm glad they did the second round before Christmas. Haven't heard from Highgate yet re the interview (not sure when that comes out?), and we've got UCS and forest exams this week and Westminster exam on the 14th and then interviews for city and westminster (and hopefully UCS and highgate), so still feels like there's a heavy lift still to go... 😫

OP posts:
HerbertChops · 04/01/2023 12:48

sugarcookie5 · 31/12/2022 16:19

Anyone’s DC going for Halliford or St James?

My ds has applied to both, sat the St James exam this morning. He was doing really well on the run up to Christmas but completely lost focus over the holidays and hasn’t don’t much preparation. Not sure why they both do the exams in January.

Marisquita · 05/01/2023 21:16

Didn’t realise there was a boys’ thread! DS did UCS today - says the English paper was good and the maths went “OK”, but I can’t get much more out of him. How did others find it?

SchoolCountdown · 05/01/2023 23:58

DS confidence is really taking a knock generally over the 11+ process. With the Christmas break thrown in, I am really questioning whether it was the right thing putting him through the experience. He has always been quite happy and relaxed about it until recently. He is bright, academic but not the most confident and doesn’t seem to be progressing in the exam processes so far. 😔. Really feel for him and anyone else in a similar situation. I know he is capable of more but trying to secure a school opportunity that I feel will suit him, nurture and bring this out feels impossible! taking account of the state, grammar and independent options we’ve explored and applied for. Trying to trust that it will be OK and work itself out.

Marisquita · 06/01/2023 00:04

@SchoolCountdown sorry to hear that. It is really tough on them. What do you have on your list other than Habs and St Albans?

vvvvb · 06/01/2023 07:01

What about Aldenham?

Not as much high pressure as Habs

vvvvb · 06/01/2023 07:04

Aldenham is about 5 minutes drive from Habs so fits your distance, I think

Original poster
crazymama123 · 06/01/2023 07:25

Marisquita · 05/01/2023 21:16

Didn’t realise there was a boys’ thread! DS did UCS today - says the English paper was good and the maths went “OK”, but I can’t get much more out of him. How did others find it?

DS had UCS yesterday too. It’s impossible to get anything out of him other than it was all fine. He found the English harder than the maths I think. Do you know when we hear about interviews??

OP posts:
SchoolCountdown · 06/01/2023 09:16

And breath, smile and remain positive 😬. This morning I did reinforce how proud I was of him going through the process and it’s tough going, I do try and take any opportunity to do so but think this morning he really appreciated hearing it. Fingers crossed for the last couple of assessments, will be glad when this is all over!

Marisquita · 06/01/2023 12:09

@crazymama123 it’s frustrating when they won’t spill the beans, isn’t it! My DS always prefers English to maths, so his experience wasn’t too surprising. I don’t know when we hear, but they don’t interview until late this month. We shall see.

Marisquita · 06/01/2023 12:30

@SchoolCountdown glad you’re managing to hang in there! There is a great school experience waiting out there somewhere for your DS. If your current options don’t pan out and you’re in or near Herts, perhaps consider St Margaret’s in Bushey. It’s a lovely school which I know well and which is on a growth trajectory, both overall and especially wrt boys as they are fairly newly co-ed. So even though their 2023 11+ process is officially closed, it’s possible there will be opportunities for late applications in March.

They’re only gently selective (though becoming more competitive with increased popularity under current leadership) and do well academically by their mixed-ability intake. E.g in 2022 they achieved 62% grades 7-9 at GCSE, compared to 36% at Aldenham, also mentioned on this thread. They have a genuinely kind, nurturing ethos, and their ISI report from Sep 2022 makes very good reading: www.stmargarets-school.org.uk/about-us/isi-inspection-report

Anyway, all that is perhaps for consideration if need be, some way down the road. Keep on keeping on, and I very much hope there is good news coming soon for you and your boy.

Original poster
crazymama123 · 06/01/2023 12:50

Marisquita · 06/01/2023 12:09

@crazymama123 it’s frustrating when they won’t spill the beans, isn’t it! My DS always prefers English to maths, so his experience wasn’t too surprising. I don’t know when we hear, but they don’t interview until late this month. We shall see.

From looking at previous year’s threads on UCS it sounds like we might hear about interviews around the 18th.

OP posts:
SchoolCountdown · 06/01/2023 14:34

Marisquita · 06/01/2023 12:30

@SchoolCountdown glad you’re managing to hang in there! There is a great school experience waiting out there somewhere for your DS. If your current options don’t pan out and you’re in or near Herts, perhaps consider St Margaret’s in Bushey. It’s a lovely school which I know well and which is on a growth trajectory, both overall and especially wrt boys as they are fairly newly co-ed. So even though their 2023 11+ process is officially closed, it’s possible there will be opportunities for late applications in March.

They’re only gently selective (though becoming more competitive with increased popularity under current leadership) and do well academically by their mixed-ability intake. E.g in 2022 they achieved 62% grades 7-9 at GCSE, compared to 36% at Aldenham, also mentioned on this thread. They have a genuinely kind, nurturing ethos, and their ISI report from Sep 2022 makes very good reading: www.stmargarets-school.org.uk/about-us/isi-inspection-report

Anyway, all that is perhaps for consideration if need be, some way down the road. Keep on keeping on, and I very much hope there is good news coming soon for you and your boy.

Thank you.😊 Really helpful and will definitely take a look.