SW London Private & Grammar - applying for year 7 in 2023 (Part II)

[QuiteAJourney]

Continuation of the thread
SW London Girls' Private & Grammar - applying for year 7 in 2023

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4643252-sw-london-girls-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?page=40

Looking forward to continuing the journey with all of you!!

Thanks for setting up

Thanks @QuiteAJourney for setting this up!

@perplex why do you think the CLSG applications would be more than SPGS ones? Would it be the new rankings?

Thanks for setting up Part 2 @QuiteAJourney

Posted before I'd finished... I wonder if it'll ever get to a part 3!!

Thanks @QuiteAJourney

I think a lot of people rule out St. Paul, unless they know their child is in the top 5-10%, maybe 25%, whereas the schools a few spots further down the league tables, (still top 20) many more feel willing to give a shot. Like parents of children in top 40 or 50% in their class might give them a go.

Thanks for the new ungendered thread!

We just got the good news for DS being invited for the second stage of St Paul's 13+. But I was wondering if anyone knows how many make it through the first stage?

There was a suggestion somewhere else that SPGS take most students through, wondering if it is the same for boys.

thank you @QuiteAJourney

my friends and I still haven’t seen any information suggesting that St. Paul’s girls invites majority of girls to second stage. Where can I find more information regarding this?

@GQ22 SPGS don't do 13+ so a bit different from St Paul's boys. There are lots of threads on MN about 13+ so you may find you get more info on one of those! I think everyone here is sitting 11+.

Thanks @secondaryquandries for sharing your thoughts. It makes sense.
I read somewhere or someone mentioned (can’t remember the details) SPGS and 80%.
I can’t remember though If it was in the context that you need 80% to pass on to the interview stage, or that only 20% of the girls pass on to the next stage (hence 80% do not). Not sure if any of this is even true, for the record, but would be interesting to hear opinions.

I think that's true. From what I can glean, there are more applicants per place at - for example - LEH, because it'll attract a broader spread of aspirational and target applicants. Whereas you're only going to enter your DD for SPGS if you think she's got a pretty good shot at a very high level (the full day of exams in second round is not for the faint-hearted!)

I can't remember if I was the one who posted that, but that's what we were told by our prep Head, and other people on here seemed to have been given a similar figure ie that SPGS take about 80% of first stage applicants through to the second round. I've no idea re percentage needed to pass - I don't think any school gives out that info, and I expect it may vary each year depending on the cohort.

Thanks all for joining on the continuation.

@LondonMum20222 I think that we will indeed get to 3 (especially after
looking at the flurry of activity just right now!)

@BruceFoxton FHSS diddly? How big do you need a school to be? The fact it has a broader academic admissions and very good results is indicative of the added value.
There are about 70 upper sixth girls and similar in lower, and they are expanding.
League tables are of course only part of the picture. My daughter says it's not a pressured environment, but most girls and teachers aim high.

I’m just curious if emails from admissions might be a positive sign, or do you think they just keep emailing everyone regardless if they will be invited to next round? For example I’ve gotten a couple emails from a school about their news and now just an email to say merry Christmas and show a promotional type video. Basically it feels like marketing from the school or like “don’t forget us emails.” It could be they just continue sending everyone these types of emails. But I assume the emails will stop if you don’t make it to next round or will they just keep coming? 😂

@Mamabear12 which schools? I've had an E Christmas card addressed to DS but he's been invited for an interview.

@Mamabear12 , they often use group emails to test their email databases so they are ready to send out admission emails etc later on.

Don't think to do with league tables, both school are top. It is more geographical reason I think.

@Daydreamscometrue it is for putney high. We don’t find out any news until early January if we made it to the next round for an interview. Just was curious if they send these type of remember me type emails to everyone or perhaps it might indicate we are on to the next round (wishful thinking 😀).

I think we got that one too :)
DD got very excited (I introduced a more realistic slant... made me feel like The Grinch!)

That's pretty much what I was told a few years ago. At the time, they said that they got roughly 500 or so applications, took 400 or so through to exam and around 200 through to interview, of which around 115 or so places are offered. They then have a relatively short wait list and there will usually be a few girls who are offered from the wait list.

I think application numbers have gone up a bit since then but the number of places remains the same (and applications tend to be lower than for other schools as either prep schools or parents sometimes self-select out of the process).

Data on SPS (boys!) from a few years ago so PLEASE NOTE IT MAY BE OUTSATED:

96 places at 13+ vs circa 30 at 11+
600 pret test, 300 called back for 13+

I posted on the original thread how I found it frustrating that the girls’ schools don’t seem willing to share data like the above given how involved the processes are, not to mention the registration fee! I called up a couple and asked, only to be told they wouldn’t share the data. It feels like a common courtesy to know where you stand at each stage. Also in terms of expectation management for you and your DC.

Thanks for the response! Interesting data. I agree it's a shame we don't get more info. I know a couple schools when we talked to them at open days gave their numbers out quite willingly. Tiffins is online as well as a matter of public record.

@Mamabear12 tempting though it is, I wouldn't read too much into Christmas emails! The person who sends them probably isn't the person who makes the short lists!