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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Latymer Upper 11+ Interview

19 replies

Sandrair · 15/12/2022 19:51

Hi. My DD is having interview at latymer upper in January and wanted to know if anyone has any experience they can share? Many thanks

OP posts:
Sandrair · 19/12/2022 00:27

Anyone?

OP posts:
SamPoodle123 · 19/12/2022 07:47

Take a look at other recent threads on here....

You will find your answers there

NLCSmummy · 27/12/2022 08:43

Sandrair · 15/12/2022 19:51

Hi. My DD is having interview at latymer upper in January and wanted to know if anyone has any experience they can share? Many thanks

From years past, everyone gathers at small tables in eating hall before their interviews. The interviewer will then collect your DC for their interview. Careful as some of the DCs, especially DSs, will try and play mind-games with your DC ahead of their interview. Some kids then went in to their interviews a bit unbalanced.

Sandrair · 27/12/2022 10:20

Thanks for letting me know. The email says it’s half a day of activities as well as one to one. Not sure if this was the same case in previous years

OP posts:
Mamabear12 · 27/12/2022 10:30

@NLCSmummy wow that is f&”*ed up that some Kids would intentionally try and mess w other kids before the interview. I would hope someone would be standing around watching for that kind of behaviour and mark those kids off the list for acceptance automatically!!

NLCSmummy · 27/12/2022 10:36

This year's program sounds different.

I don't think most of them do it intentionally, but some kids do end up wobbling.

Good luck everyone.

11plusdoneanddusted · 27/12/2022 13:24

Mamabear12 · 27/12/2022 10:30

@NLCSmummy wow that is f&”*ed up that some Kids would intentionally try and mess w other kids before the interview. I would hope someone would be standing around watching for that kind of behaviour and mark those kids off the list for acceptance automatically!!

When DS had his interview we were sat with them and waited in the cafe until came out. Nice atmosphere etc. Spoke to some other parents and admissions lady but noone else. Will always be some children who are worked up about it all ( usually by the parents) - best to ignore!

glittertinsel · 27/12/2022 15:33

Hi OP. This 'activities half day' is a new thing. But, as in other schools, they will be looking for 'teachability' and engagement, rather than getting something wrong or right.

My DS went right through that school so a long time since he was interviewed! But there was some kind of abstract puzzle and a passage to read and then answer a few questions on.

One thing I would say is that the interview process is as much about schools trying to gauge who would actually take up the places if offered. So, if possible, try to encourage your son to tell them that - eg. if they ask him if he has any questions or what other school he has applied to, tell them "if I am offered a place her I will definitely take it." Make it easy for them - don't leave them guessing! They want to offer places to the ones who want it most! None of these schools want to be someone's back up option.

General questions that frequently come up -

Why do you want to come to Latymer? (He should try to say something personal and specific, rather than just, "I like it." Maybe something about sports there if he's that way inclined? Or that he prefers co-ed? Just something that makes sense to him - even a random thing.

What are you reading?

What are your favourite subjects?

LU is different to other schools, I think, in the sense that it is very "global" in its outlook. They may well ask about a topic in the news. Or an environmental issue. They teach their own subject called "World Perspectives" and this is quite central to the ethos of the school. It's largely about sustainability and global warming issues, with a bit of relevant politics and economics thrown in. So just talk to him a bit about the current strikes; cost of living crisis; a few environmental issues; the general situation in Ukraine (at a basic level); who the PM is, etc. Just in case!

One question that came up for my kids at various schools was - "if you had a day where you could do anything at all, what would you do? Or "if you could go back in time to meet your great great grandmother, what would you tell her / how would you explain the internet to her?"

My DD (at another school) was asked, "Which is more important - money or happiness?" I remember her also being asked - "What gives money it's value?" That was not at LU, I think it was either G&L or SPGS. But just to give an idea.

But mainly, just be keen about the school. My DS actually said something along the lines of, "I've had interviews for Hampton and St Paul's but the people here just seem more like me and I feel like if I come here I can be anything I want to be, so if I'm offered a place I will definitely take it straight away."

Sandrair · 27/12/2022 21:39

glittertinsel This is very helpful. Thank you for the info.

OP posts:
Hannah297 · 29/12/2022 13:40

Posted this on another thread of helpful . PM me if you like

No immersive learning or group activity last year but it was still covid protocol … have just asked my daughter again and this is what she said ;

picture of something obscure and discuss what think might be
problem solving maths questions e.g how many footballs in Uk ?( want to see your reasoning )
what’s your favourite book ? Tell me what you loved most about it.
discuss a topic pro and cons : she got “all schools should be co-Ed”

she did say this was only hers and not sure how much they varied but a few kids she knew said they got something similar so seems to be a theme. Hope helpful

Sandrair · 29/12/2022 16:57

Hannah297 Thank you, it is very helpful indeed. Did you end up going to LU? Any feedback appreciated

OP posts:
Hannah297 · 29/12/2022 17:31

Yes my DD is at LU, we Chose it over the other Hammersmith schools as she was very keen to leave the girls only environment of her junior school and so far we seem to have avoided the girl drama environment her prep school friends have already reported from their girls only secondaries as my feeling is the girls who choose LU are less girly/alpha types from what I’ve noticed so far which has been a relief as this is contrary to people’s perceptions of the school . My DD has made the loveliest friends but it’s only been a term so I can’t draw too many conclusions yet I suppose. I can see that the school/ year group is big (190 this year ) and there are literally ALL types of children there - sporty musical geeky quirky, cool …. And it’s big enough that you’re not stuck with a the same group as they are split into forms of 20 and then different teaching groups of 24-ish. Lots of clubs and societies to join and so far teachers seem fine but we haven’t had a parents meeting yet. One issue we had was dealt with very swiftly and effectively - I was very impressed. The downside my daughter has reported so far is how loud the school gets at break and lunch and how crazy busy…. If you’ve lost your friends you’re unlikely to easily spot them again( they are VERY strict on no phone policy) so it was a huge shock for her and she is still adjusting to the noise but perhaps thats just her and otherwise she’s been happy and excited by the learning.

Katesuv · 12/12/2023 20:24

Dear Sandrair - we have this immersive interview day coming up. Can you let us know what it was like/what to expect? Thanks!

Jigglycat · 12/12/2023 21:41

I cannot help on what "immersive interview days" are (my daughter had 16+ interviews at LU), but I concur with @glittertinsel: They did grill her quite a bit on whether she would choose LU if she had an offer, what she likes about the school etc. So best prepare answers for this. (DD did and it worked for her😉)

roses2 · 13/12/2023 10:50

We didn't apply for LU but the questions posted here are super helpful!

pinkgaia · 18/12/2023 09:20

Hello

Is there anyone here whose children got into latymer Upper school last year and can share what sort of activities they were asked to perform during the so called "immersive" learning?

Many thanks 😊

Toomanywhatsapps · 18/12/2023 10:47

My DS did the half-day assessment at LU last year. I think they had a history lesson and a science lesson (can't remember whether it was Chemistry or Biology). They then had 1-to-1 interviews. Whilst waiting for their interview they played board games in the library. In terms of the interview it all seemed light-hearted - what are your hobbies? what book are you reading? do you have siblings? It didn't sound gruelling, just a chat.

There was quite a queue for the assessment as people were given different time slots (so lots of people either going in or leaving). Don't read too much into the time you are given. There was someone behind me chatting about the significance of whether an early session or an afternoon session meant something. It was the last thing I wanted to hear! Who knows if it means anything but I knew a couple of kids of had different times from my son (despite similar start letter for their surnames/same school) and they all got offers.

Good luck everyone!

pinkgaia · 18/12/2023 10:59

@Toomanywhatsapps thank you very much

Maplegurl · 28/12/2023 20:37

New to UK. Our child has just gone through 11+ exams. Has been invited for interview at LU. How best to prep?

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