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!!

I don't think you'll find many arguments here against the notion that this year's Consortium cohort are guinea pigs. (There is much discussion of this on the previous iteration of this thread). I would put good money on the possibility that two or three years of students will be put through this system that nobody (not even the schools) seem to understand, and then they'll change (yet again) to a new system. For a Consortium of schools who purportedly want to make the process less stressful for children (and their parents), they don't seem to be achieving that aim. I've yet to find anyone who has faith in the Atom testing this year.

Hampton results came through-it's a no for us disappointingly. It was one of my favourites but not particularly my sons particularly, so that's one decision made at least!

Does anyone know whether your LU interview group is a reflection on your performance in the exam? They seem to have groups a, b and c (and possibly d?). I heard this from someone and wanted to see if anyone else has heard the same.

@secondaryquandries Sorry to hear but I completely endorse your spirit of finding silver linings when things don't go according to plan.

I suspect that's purely for organisational purposes- can't imagine it has anything to do with exam performance.

It is probably just to organise groups. We had this for when taking an exam. The kids were put into different animal groups.

@11plusdoneanddusted I'm not sure. They didn't have when my dd did it. We're B but don't know if there are C and D?

@secondaryquandries Hampton is a tough one. We didn't try for DS as I didn't think he'd make it.

My friends DD sat the 16+ there this year and they had groups for the exams and the interviews so I'm sure it's just organisational. If it was on exam performance I would think they'd use something a bit less obvious!

@secondaryquandries Really sorry to hear that. Any rejection is tough to bear. But it sounds like DS probably wouldn't have chosen it even if he'd ended up with an offer, so you're doing the right thing by drawing a line and moving on (and focussing on all the ones still in play!)

For boys, isn't LU more difficult to get into than Hampton?

Hope not!! Mine is Group C!! Maybe a different time slot? Group C is in the afternoon.

Anyone heard of rejections from LU...?

joining your amazing group , love your updates

@secondaryquandries it’s a No for us too from Hampton! We knew he wouldn’t make it but it’s still tough to hear No

good luck with LU all x

We are Group A and in the morning. To me it also sounds purely organisational, otherwise would be too obvious :)

@AC7001 ouch! Yes he probably wouldn't have got in there either 😂! Not sure which is easier to get in.

@LoveMyADHD sorry you got a no too.

Thanks for the messages. I am coming to the conclusion that it will make our decision much easier to not have Hampton in the mix. KGS definitely our top now. If we got offers from both I think it would have been a very difficult decision and lots of what ifs even once in possibly. So disappointed but May work out for the best.

Wishing everyone luck with any results coming through this week! DC got through to 2nd round of Ibstock - very pleased and it seemed to go well - but no news til Feb? Does that mean no interview -as the first meeting included a group activity?

@secondaryquandries we are the opposite, got interview at Hampton but not at KGS.

It is a lot of pressure for the kids and they can all have off days. Tricky to say what is harder to get.

Well done to your DS, I think the ratio of interviews to offers is better at KGS than most others.

Well done @Susieboots and @SunnyT5 for the next stages! I would have though Hampton was more tricky than KGS but I guess it just goes to shows that it's not an exact science! Some exam styles suit different students etc etc. which are your favourites?

@Susieboots you are so right. I think that schools like KGS, Hampton and LU are quite similar and so much depends on the day. We know kids that passed LU but not KGS but also the other way round... and the same with Hampton.

You mention the ratio of interviews to offers at KGS. Do you have any numbers? TIA

@QuiteAJourney no numbers but the impression I got at the open days was that most who KGS interview will be offered a place whereas Hampton interviewed about double the number of places.

@Susieboots Many thanks - we missed the talk at the Open Day.
DD has a general interview and we really like it, so trying to strike a balance between optimism and realism!

@QuiteAJourney KGS said that they interview for places and waiting list. So if you have an interview it's not a no, more of a yes or a maybe!

We have interviews for KGS and Hampton but would prefer KGS if we had the choice. Fingers crossed for all the kids!

Had a Christmas card for DS from Emanuel today. Thought that was a nice touch!

@KindergartenKop thanks, really useful to know.