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!!

@LondonMum20222 indeed, I think that also SCHS

@QuiteAJourney And it can't be long before the G&L head retires, I imagine.

I think also GCSEs are being phased out by the time these 11 plus DC reach that Year 11. I know this is the plan at LU - I imagine all schools will be similar? Haven't heard anything about this at G&L, but it may be because DD's year would not be affected?

@ziad That's really interesting. I know the heads at SPGS and CLSG can barely hide their derision for GCSEs.

@ziad what do you understand LU’s plan re GCSEs to be, assuming there is no government-led reform? Will they simply opt out or come up with a bespoke replacement? Interesting topic - I may ask DS’ school what their intentions are, but would like to ask from an informed position if possible!

Hi all, does anyone know how many girls are sitting round 2 of SPGS and CLSG? and how many places there are? We have received an email from SPGS stating there are 24 groups for tomorrow exams + one additional group for overseas? would that be around 20 girls per group ie around 500 applicants?
thanks a lot

My DC has left LU now, but I know people with younger ones in Year 7 and 8 and there was a talk about GCSEs being unnecessary / counterproductive these days because DCs are learning for exams, rather than extending themselves. I think they will be replaced with some kind of certificate - then they all move into A- levels as normal. Apparently, European schools don't do all the exams for 16 year-olds, so this is the idea. I hope I haven't got this wrong, but there was something about certain London Day schools pioneering this change, which they believe will be inevitable anyway. LU is one of them - possibly also FHSS? But, if the heads are changing, I don't know...?

Definitely worth asking if DC are offered places in these schools though.

I have one at LU and 1 at an all girls school. Both have mentioned GCSEs not really for for purpose etc and I know they all talk to each other about it and there is some sort of consultation panel but don't think there are any firm plans to drop them yet. Certainly DS at LU is choosing his GCSE options next term!

I think there is too much politics surrounding the British curriculum for such reforms to be considered. And then there is the added pressure of being in the league tables and constantly judging students for that. IB can be a refreshing option for those who don’t believe in GCSEs.

Ladies, is anyone waiting to hear from Claremont at all? Or indeed has received an email already?

@knopka we are also waiting to hear from Claremont. My bet will be Thurs or Friday. I think they said they'd let us know this week.

Thank you for replying. Yes they did say it will be first week of January. Next week is Emanuel as well for us but they also said w/c 9th so may be a long week.

There have been various discussions about this further up the thread, and from parents who've applied to SPGS in the past, 400-500 for second round sounds about right. The general consensus from previous applicants is that they invite back about 80% from the first round, then about 200 go through to interview. Good luck to your DD tomorrow!

@knopka @KindergartenKop we are also waiting for Claremont. There is a thread from last year and it seemed like it took longer than the first week for some to hear, but it would be good to hear this week. Good luck to all!

@SallyGardener good luck to you, too. The waiting is the hardest once the exams have been completed! I hope it doesn't take too long

Good luck to everyone and especially to those waiting on results this week. When are FH results out?

@SallyGardener and @knopka are you waiting to hear from any other schools? We're supposed to hear from Radnor this week too.

@KindergartenKop
Claremont and Emanuel only for us, we already have an offer for all 3 children from a school outside London (with a boarding option). What about you?

We are waiting to hear from Claremont, and Putney, this week too I hope. It’s all so drawn out! We have one interview and another scholarship assessment this week, then another at the end of Jan and one back up who don‘t interview, just the academic tests and references. And then a scramble to decide and accept a place (if we get offers, that is!).

Good luck to those awaiting Claremont- it definitely seems that there were more applicants sitting the test than ever before ….

@knopka do you prefer the boarding idea?
We have done all the exams, two interviews this week, two schools still to hear from re interviews. Ewell Castle and the grammar school don't interview so we will hear from them in Feb and early March.

@EweCee
We also have a backup which children sat exams for in October (CAT4 only, they didn't want to interview)but then we will have to move out of SW London

When we visited, the school said they are becoming more academically selective and it's not a "back up" school anymore but didn't get an idea on numbers sadly.
I know Emanuel states its 1:10 ratio

I am on the fence tbh. We looked at various options and this particular school seemed very nurturing, small class sizes and an option of boarding (including flexi boarding). We did look at Ewell Castle as well but it seemed very cramped compared to others we have seen so we added a boarding one to the mix. However we only chose 3 schools in the end, I do wonder now if its not enough given what I have read but there is no point now in fretting, it will be what it will be