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Secondary education

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Original poster

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

997 replies

QuiteAJourney · 09/01/2023 18:58

Continuation from

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4697901-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023-part-ii?page=40&reply=122947087

An opportunity for parents of DC applying to private and grammar schools in SW London for entry in year 7 in 2023 to share their journeys.

OP posts:
SamPoodle123 · 15/01/2023 17:28

Justarrivedlondon · 15/01/2023 16:22

Extracurriculars are of course relevant, not just for the scholarship. Every interview asked this question and the schools want kids who have a balanced lifestyle (and still achieve the exam score for that school) so they have the "capacity" to increase learning time later on, I suppose.

For St Paul 11+ (boys), the interview is for 3 hours and comprises a one-hour session in which each boy has to choose an activity (art, drama, music, or sport). Maybe they are not evaluating their levels, but certainly, want a boy who is committed and passionate about something outside academics.

Yes, that is what I was thinking. It can be seen as a positive if one can keep up with their hobbies and still get a good exam score. G&L asked my dd what her hobbies were so they want to see if you have a life outside of studying.

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 15/01/2023 18:39

Good luck to those with stage 2 or interviews next week - I am aware of PHS, Whitgift and Emanuel but I am sure that there are others.
And, of course, anyone expecting news (I know that Harrodian will be inviting to interviews - are there others left?)

OP posts:
SamPoodle123 · 15/01/2023 18:45

Has anyone heard back from Emanuel regarding interview date?

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 15/01/2023 18:49

@SamPoodle123 we got a message on Friday. DD is attending on the 23rd.

OP posts:
SamPoodle123 · 15/01/2023 18:59

Strange, I better chase them, as I have not heard back. They asked for preference though and Monday is the only day we did not want.

Londonintherain · 15/01/2023 19:05

Wow- their daughter must have been in the same room- and we had the same outcome and feedback. It’s in the past now but I really did feel my daughter was a number there, like you say. I was told we were one of 950 applicants last year, as if that was enough to justify our poor experience. Was not impressed!

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 15/01/2023 19:06

@SamPoodle123 They are starting on Saturday 21st so worth checking it has not gone into your Junk folder and, if not, phoning them. At least the interviews for Saturday 21st and Monday 23rd are out - maybe others in this thread can comment if they have heard and/or have invites for another time.
The whole things is just over 1 hour, including both a group task and interview.

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Londonintherain · 15/01/2023 19:14

I was told it’s around 122, but didn’t ask for more specific information. So maybe if your DD scores really much higher in some sections and gets a 120 in another, perhaps it is averaged out.
I realised afterwards that our lack of a tutor, being at a state school with zero guidance and not having been doing certain types of tests at home (Atom) probably meant my DD’s scores weren’t high enough. But we were very lucky to get into her favourite school, so in the end it doesn’t matter- just wasn’t a great experience!

Turquoiseturtle1234 · 15/01/2023 19:18

Does any one know what order they call for SPGS interviews? Is it by birth date or by school cohort. My DD is extremely nervous about this one!

MaryleboneParent · 15/01/2023 19:20

Our year was completely at random. I think it might be by school and location this year. We know a few girls with interviews.

Hitoyou · 15/01/2023 19:20

We haven't heard back on a date from Emanuel yet either.....

PreplexJ · 15/01/2023 19:25

@Turquoiseturtle1234 only 2 interview days I can't see how it can be arrange by some patterns?

KindergartenKop · 15/01/2023 19:26

Let's be optimistic guys, when are we expecting all the offers to come flooding in? Our two favourites have said 9th and 10th of Feb. Are there any earlier offers? Has anyone already sent them out?

LondonMum20222 · 15/01/2023 19:27

PreplexJ · 15/01/2023 19:25

@Turquoiseturtle1234 only 2 interview days I can't see how it can be arrange by some patterns?

That's interesting. Is it only two days of interviews? The website says four days (weekends of 21/22 and 28/29).

Turquoiseturtle1234 · 15/01/2023 19:28

True Perplex - if they call by their written groups it might be nice for DD to see some familiar faces. But there is limited flexibility to do that given it is only 2 days.

Turquoiseturtle1234 · 15/01/2023 19:37

@MaryleboneParent are the girls you know invited back on same date/time as they are from same school? Also do they sick to time or is there a long wait period - I fear my DD will get very nervous if there is a long wait.

MaryleboneParent · 15/01/2023 19:50

Yes, same schools, on same days. When our daughter had her interview, one school friend went on the Monday, two on the Wednesday and she was Thursday. I think this is the first year with weekend interviews.

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 15/01/2023 20:06

KindergartenKop · 15/01/2023 19:26

Let's be optimistic guys, when are we expecting all the offers to come flooding in? Our two favourites have said 9th and 10th of Feb. Are there any earlier offers? Has anyone already sent them out?

Are the ones on the 9th by post or by email? I think that we have most of ours as 10th by email (with some sending also by 9th by post, which given the current state of deliveries in our area will probably get to us by acceptance date!). Some have not been clear as to the date

OP posts:
underthesea3 · 15/01/2023 20:13

Kings interview invitations out tomorrow. Surely one of the last!

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 15/01/2023 20:15

underthesea3 · 15/01/2023 20:13

Kings interview invitations out tomorrow. Surely one of the last!

Maybe we can give an award for the most protracted process ... Harrodian may win, though.

OP posts:
KindergartenKop · 15/01/2023 20:15

@QuiteAJourney email I think- this is KGS

@woohooho did your DS struggle at Tiffin as he didn't get as high a score as some others or doesn't it matter once they're there? Are they in sets for anything other than maths?

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 15/01/2023 20:20

@KindergartenKop I thought KGS was 9th by letter and 10th by email. Would love it if it was 9th by email.
Emanuel just refers to letters on the 9th to arrive by the 10th (good luck with that!). Does anyone know if they will send emails too and when?
IPS emails on 10th
WHS emails on 10th
....

OP posts:
KindergartenKop · 15/01/2023 20:24

@QuiteAJourney maybe you're right. The only info I have says 9th by letter.

VickiMent · 15/01/2023 20:24

KindergartenKop · 15/01/2023 19:26

Let's be optimistic guys, when are we expecting all the offers to come flooding in? Our two favourites have said 9th and 10th of Feb. Are there any earlier offers? Has anyone already sent them out?

We also have an emails expected on the 9th and 10th but the others are very non specific either that week or the week before.

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 15/01/2023 20:25

@KindergartenKop I just checked the email from KGS following the interview and they refer to "The admissions team will send out decisions by post on Thursday 9th February followed by an email on Friday 10th February which you will receive by the end of the day."

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