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

1000 replies

QuiteAJourney · 14/12/2022 12:12

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!!

OP posts:
Daydreamscometrue · 08/01/2023 20:30

@SamPoodle123 I did a little practice with DS but really just encouraged him to be polite and just himself. If they don't want him then it just wasn't meant to be.

QuiteAJourney · 08/01/2023 20:32

@ViolettasAria Thanks so much for sharing, really appreciated

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QuiteAJourney · 08/01/2023 20:44

@SamPoodle123 Like @Daydreamscometrue , we did a bit of prep, asking her some of the so-called typical questions (favourite subject at school, favourite book, what sports do you like, etc). Tbh, it was more to reassure DD that there were no tricky questions and no right or wrong answers...and that she just had to be herself, polite and engaged.

OP posts:
ViolettasAria · 08/01/2023 21:20

@Workhar yes, she went to SPGS, we live on the doorstep.

knopka · 08/01/2023 21:33

@SamPoodle123
I tried looking at last year's thread but couldn't find the date when Emanuel sent emails out regarding interviews.

KindergartenKop · 08/01/2023 21:39

@SamPoodle123 be careful your child doesn't sound over rehearsed. Something we did was to discuss and write down what they/I thought the school wants and then went through a list of examples of how they fulfill them e.g. community minded= went on a litter pick.

I'd avoid practicing questions and answers though!

SamPoodle123 · 08/01/2023 21:53

@KindergartenKop oh she def won't sound over rehearsed, as we do not really get anywhere with it. She says she knows what to say and insists we leave it at that. I give up....will leave it to her. I just get frustrated like I feel we should be doing something. But I think it is more because I am the one stressing about it all and my dd is cool and calm....basically she was not fussed for the exams and same thing for interviews....

79abbot · 08/01/2023 22:18

Has anyone heard back about Sports Scholarships at IPS?

travelturtle · 08/01/2023 22:41

@SamPoodle123 last year Emanuel interviewed all candidates, so you won’t be able to check dates from last year. This is the first year they are not interviewing everyone (think number applying last year was 900-1,000 so it became unworkable to interview everyone). I’ve heard they are still interviewing about 2/3, but that’s anecdotal not official. Good luck with it all. We accepted our offer from Emanuel last year and my DS is extremely happy there.

knopka · 09/01/2023 01:55

@travelturtle
I think I read on Emanuel's website that they are aiming to interview 2/3 of the applicants so it's not anecdotal.
They no longer cap applicants so they had to stop interviewing everyone

knopka · 09/01/2023 01:57

@SamPoodle123
I just told DS to think about things like favourite book, what he likes doing outside of the school but he is also not keen on "preparation". We did a couple of month of tutoring to prepare for exams and I think he has had enough.

Daydreamscometrue · 09/01/2023 06:53

travelturtle · 08/01/2023 22:41

@SamPoodle123 last year Emanuel interviewed all candidates, so you won’t be able to check dates from last year. This is the first year they are not interviewing everyone (think number applying last year was 900-1,000 so it became unworkable to interview everyone). I’ve heard they are still interviewing about 2/3, but that’s anecdotal not official. Good luck with it all. We accepted our offer from Emanuel last year and my DS is extremely happy there.

@travelturtle good to hear that your son is happy there. It does seem a lovely school and is a stones throw from us.

Itsallnew123 · 09/01/2023 08:40

79abbot · 08/01/2023 22:18

Has anyone heard back about Sports Scholarships at IPS?

No, not yet!

Schoolgate225 · 09/01/2023 08:51

Hello, does anyone know how many are invited to the putney high Athena assessment vs offers / places? I am trying to figure out how optimistic to be ( this process seems designed to mess with a mum’s head 😜) Thankyou!

WildBactrian · 09/01/2023 09:09

I think for interviews it's important for the children to understand that each question is an opportunity for them to talk about themselves, and that there are no wrong answers. Be expansive, is what I say to DS. Normally he's a chatterbox, especially about his favourite topics, but when he's not in the mood its like pulling teeth 🙄
I also think its fine to respond to a more challenging question with "I don't know much about that, could you give me an example?"
A friend's DS was asked to talk about a recent news topic but he'd been studying so hard he hadn't seen any news for weeks!

readingcat · 09/01/2023 09:28

I taught in the Ldn independent sector for years and was involved in group assessments, interviews etc. it is very obvious when a child is over-rehearsed and it makes it difficult for the interviewer to get a sense of the real child and their personality. You can usually tell when a child has been fed answers or is saying something solely in an attempt to impress. Whilst it is sensible to chat with your child about what they might be asked, you can end up shooting yourself in the foot with too much practice. Also worth remembering is that interviewers are not solely interested in what the child says, but in how they say it - in how they express themselves, develop answers, and how they respond to questions or new ideas. Part of the process (esp true of group assessments) also entails looking at what the child would be like to teach and at how they interact with their peers and each other. Bottom line: don’t freak out and be wary of over-preparing. Chances are your child will be fine - the fact you’re on this forum shows that you are engaged parents who are actively interested in their child’s education. That in itself goes a long way towards helping your child be ready and be able to articulate themselves effectively. Be reassured, also, that if you have a shy or nervous child, most interviewing teachers are very experienced at putting kids at their ease and at drawing them out. Good luck to all!

LoveMyADHD · 09/01/2023 09:58

@readingcat that’s soooooooo helpful! Thank you! x

Tolacar · 09/01/2023 10:40

So helpful! I’ve always believed they just need to be themselves. Good luck to those with exams this week and interviews. It feels like we are getting to the end of a very long road and I know my DS is flagging a bit now. As of Saturday, we are done…well apart from one interview. 😀

SamPoodle123 · 09/01/2023 11:19

travelturtle · 08/01/2023 22:41

@SamPoodle123 last year Emanuel interviewed all candidates, so you won’t be able to check dates from last year. This is the first year they are not interviewing everyone (think number applying last year was 900-1,000 so it became unworkable to interview everyone). I’ve heard they are still interviewing about 2/3, but that’s anecdotal not official. Good luck with it all. We accepted our offer from Emanuel last year and my DS is extremely happy there.

Ah, thanks for the feedback. It is good to know your son is really happy there. I have heard good things about the school.

SamPoodle123 · 09/01/2023 11:26

@readingcat thank you. That puts my mind at ease.

SamPoodle123 · 09/01/2023 11:51

Anyone have any guesses when Emanuel will send their emails out? In our little experience, Fridays seem to be a popular choice for the schools we applied to :)

sugarcookie5 · 09/01/2023 11:57

IPS sent on a Friday around 5pm I think- so Emanuel and others might do the same-thinking of anyone waiting!!!!

Workhar · 09/01/2023 12:02

Does anyone know when are LEH results expected? And do they come via post or email? (I hope email!)

Waitlist1234 · 09/01/2023 12:30

How did the WHS went for those that went this morning? I gather there were group A and B, with around 8 group of 8 in each? with at least 2 sittings one in the morning one in the pm that is at least 250 girls?

QuiteAJourney · 09/01/2023 12:39

There is a group C, at least in the afternoon. My daughter is in it!

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