St Marylebone

[London321]

Hi I've put st Marylebone as my daughters first choice
Secondary school got the clergy form filled out and today I had an email saying that first goes to people who attended Marylebone church 2nd goes to other cOFe church's which is the category they've placed us in, does anyone's daughter go here or know what are the chances of getting in I understand lots of kids apply to this school

Depends which church your daughter goes to. Can you read the admissions criteria carefully and see what category she will be in? Not much point worrying now in any case, results not for a few months. Good luck!

It depends what band your daughter tests in and how far you are from the school OP. Data is in Westminster's secondary admissions brochure. Last year the final distance offered for CoE places on offer day (in all bands this is the furthest distance for those attending other CoE churches) were:
Band A 3.499 miles
Band B 4.385 miles
Band C 3.363 miles
Band D 3.844 miles

We didn’t attend St Marylebone church, live about 4 miles away and it was our second choice - got a place. I think a lot depends on banding too.

I've put it as my first choice and I'm really hoping we get it although I do know it's very oversubscribed, I've had an email from the school which I've attached

@London321 Did you get an offer?.... we want to apply next year for our daughter and wondering what the chances are and if we should apply to some indie schools as back up (which would be a huge financial stretch for us!).

Yes we got offered Marylebone so chuffed it's definitely worth applying x

@London321 congrats! That's great. Any tips for applying? Was it your first choice and did you apply to any back up independent or grammar schools? I'm feeling a bit stressed about this process already!

Thankyou! Make sure you get clergy form signed and no didn't apply to any independent schools just local schools in my area, it was our first choice and I didn't think we would get it 2 other girls in her class got accepted aswell so she will have friends to travel there with

We got a (first choice) St Marylebone offer too, delighted. We did get an email from them late last night asking us to only accept if we are definitely taking the place as there are over 500 disappointed applicants.

Congratulations, yes I received the same email as well I've accepted the place

wow! 500 no offers in addition to the offers gives me an indication of how much competition there is for those spaces. Probably will be similar to this next year. Did you do any prep to be in Band A in order to increase chances of an offer? My DD is bright but perhaps some prep starting now from Year 5 is a good idea.

I did no prep but they say they are non selective so it doesn't matter what banding test you fall in too apparently they take the same amount of kids from each band, do you go to church? How far from Marylebone are you?

Just over 3 miles. We don't go to church every week though.

I’d look into the drama and music places too as that is a different route in and will increase your chances.

No we didn't either, I think it's 26x in 3 years further up I've attached the email I received when the clergy form got accepted

@NotaTiger the banding is a lottery - they take 25% from each and it’s impossible to know what the ability levels will be for applications for your year.
@London321 and @Martinisarebetterdirty congratulations, it’s a great school - pastoral care is absolutely brilliant and lots of great extra curricular opportunities as well as the academic stuff. Highly recommend your daughters attend the summer school in the holidays - great intro to school and new schoolmates.

Thank you @Fallenmadonnawiththebigboobies ! We are quite far away so good to take any opportunity to meet friends.

@NotaTiger I posted above the furthest distance offered for each band in the category "other C of E churches" for the current Y7. Band A does not have a better chance of gaining admission compared to other bands. Not sure where you have heard that. In fact in the previous year, the current Y8, Band A had the shortest distance, ie the worst chance - but it varies a lot from year to year and band to band.

@BananaDaiquiri ah, ok... that actually helps take the pressure off :) It sounds like it is more of a lottery with the application.

Hello,

My daughter has just received an offer of a place at St Marylebone into year 7. She’s happy and settled at her local comp-much lower achieving, very liberal, high staff turn over, few extra curricular clubs-with friends and seems to be doing well. How are all girls/parents finding st m? Friendly? Supportive? It’s a big deal going into a school when all girls will be over the initial settling in phase. We don’t know anyone there at all.

Short term it will be a massive upheaval and given she’s very happy, I don’t want to unsettle her unnecessarily. Thinking long term, it will definitely be in her academic interests but that’s not the be all and end all. She would travel 40 mins on tube vs 15 min walk.

I’d love feedback on the school please, we have to make a decision very soon….

I’m sure you’ve already decided but my Dd hated it there. Some quite bitchy young teachers, not much pastoral care - it broke her, took her out and she went to a local independent, she found her people there and I got my DD back. She’s just finished Uni and is fine but it was an awful experience for her being amongst very pushy girls and teachers who didn’t give a damn.

I’ve just stumbled across this thread and felt I couldn’t leave it without a comment in case anyone is looking at St Marylebone and finds this thread.

my daughter is there currently - it was not an easy transition from primary to secondary for her and the school was incredibly supportive.

I was worried about a single sec environment as I hated mine but she’s happy, feels less pressure with no boys there (her own words) and has made friends. There have been ups and downs but this happens at all schools as they are awash with angst & hormones.

i and, most importantly, my daughter are very happy with where she is.

just wanted to share an alternate perspective.

I know this is an old post but @LondonLulu just wondering what you decided in the end. Also, were you offered as a C of E place?

Thanks

Hello!

we accepted the place, definitely the right choice, she’s very happy, settled and doing very well. We’ve found pastoral care very good and she has a great relationship with her teachers so far.

Yes, CofE place, she only started going to church in 2020 so the vicar signed the form but not the ‘going for 3 years 26 x’ bit but the one below, which is why we didn’t get a place initially.