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

[QuiteAJourney]

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.

But I think is part of the point. Whilst it’s admirable you’re taking this role, it’s not up to you and you assume you encapsulate the “sensible” entourage to hush down and just toe the line with what it appropriate.

absolutely not saying I don’t agree with you but parents pop on here for so many different reasons….. not to be silenced by “we’ve had all do these discussions please pipe down now and discuss the results”.

I would also be waiting for the results! But there’s a certain elitism to the oversight as well??

@Rockingallovertheworld88
I cannot see how you can see that my repeated pleas and attempts to be conciliatory are paramount to saying "“we’ve had all do these discussions please pipe down now and discuss the results”. Hopefully other in the thread that have interacted with me in the last 4 months can see beyond that statement.

As for the "elitism in the oversight" it would be great if you could elaborate: I am not overseeing anything but also (on first reading) the comment reeks of prejudice - especially without knowing anything about my background and circumstances beyond the fact, which I have been open about, that, after a very negative experience at a state school, my DD has been at a prep for the last 3 years.

Welcome to the thread - and apologies for the great offence that my elitist oversight might have caused you. Rest assured that I will do my very best not to cross your path.

im beginning to feel a little guilty that my initial comment on children in states school suffering during the lockdown has produced such a response. This certainly was not my intention nor was the intention at any point to be divisive. it was merely nice to discuss as there is little opportunity to share such experiences or glean information in “real life”.
it is an actual fact though that Covid widened the gap between state/private ( so many of our class had no device to do work sheets on plus no parents to help) and that has literally meant years of lost learning.
Anyway, this is all getting a little tedious, so let’s move on! Night all!

It’s such a stressful time for all. Good luck to all of those waiting on results.

Re the wider discussion state v prep discussion , maybe all sleep on it. Tomorrow is a new day.

I’m sure no offence was intended, it’s a deeply subjective and emotive issue.

Those in “prep” schools might not have received as much lockdown assistance as some think what with work, lack of devices and perhaps some serious illness itself.

Fingers crossed for good news for you all over the next few weeks.

@QuiteAJourney tutored/not

@elevenplusmum22 I know some counter examples, during lockdown some middle class state school families actually get more time to fully onboard 11+ prep (online or homeschooling ) as they think the normal y4 and y5 in state school classroom is waste of time anyway...

As a result some of the state students more competitive in the process....

@PreplexJ I hear you. We’re on the same page, I think.

Prep school experience by all accounts is not always a huge benefit particularly juggling a global pandemic, obviously lots of different factors in the mix (workload of parents, devices, lesson (s)). One local prep had full lessons with students logging on in uniform, another had no live lessons, minimal work and local state schools were doing “more”.

Morning all! DD tells me it was PHS assessment day yesterday. I know quite a few parents on this thread had DDs sitting that one. How did it go? I hope it was a positive experience for them and they all came out happy!

Morning! My dd had it yesterday - it was enjoyable and in line with what pp mentioned before - a creative task which she enjoyed immensely, followed by a 1:1 interview.

On the subject of numbers and increased competition - I had a nice chat with a CLSG staff while waiting for my dd to have her interview. The lady mentioned that whilst now they accept 125 girls - about 100 external candidates, after 3 or so years they plan on dropping the numbers to 85 - the rest of the places being given to the juniors.

@FriendlyMom "they accept 125 girls - about 100 external candidates, after 3 or so years they plan on dropping the numbers to 85 - the rest of the places being given to the juniors."

I got the same from the admission staffs in CLSG too. Given CLSG usually have 40%+ student from state school and if they take 40 girls from city junior in the future, it suggests their 11+ process will allocate more spaces to state school students.

@FriendlyMom Really glad your DD had a good experience at PHS. I think it's makes so much difference when they enjoy the process!

@PreplexJ, I am not sure if they will increase the places for state school girls per se, although secondary schools pledge to do that, but there will be definite priority for their junior school girls.

@LondonMum20222 I was just blown away at how kind and accommodating everyone at PHS was - starting from the mishap with the interviews and times, which they sorted straightaway, to their welcoming attitude on the day.

Morning all,

We have two interviews left to go and then the long wait until February 10th! We had an invite from KGS to join a webinar next week so DS will do that. I like how some schools do keep in touch. We've not heard a thing from Ibstock. Anyone else?

Morning all, I hope everyone is doing ok. @Daydreamscometrue , yes we got the webinar invite for KGS ...love their approach - feels like they are really putting the effort in... fingers crossed!

My DS is doing the 'Beyond the classroom' at Radnor this weekend. Is anyone else doing it or have any insights? Having read the details they sent about it, it seems to be based around some kind of sporting activity in their indoor hall - no mention of any 1:1 interview or similar. I can't help wondering if they put nearly all candidates through to the 'assessment' and may offer to almost everyone given that they must have a lot of spaces to fill in Kneller and presumably aren't at the top of that many people's lists. I know they have given some/all of the Duke's prep school students an automatic offer too. Any thoughts?

@FriendlyMom I meant even CLSG want to maintain the current 40% state school student ratio (not increase) they will have to increase the proportion for state students in 11+ intake in 3 years time.

Yes, tbh we would have done this if we knew we were going to do the 11+! The school gave such little work anyway. But unfortunately, we didn’t realise until end of year 5.

I do know that one private school (it’s the only one I’m getting feedback on what goes on for 11+ prep and it’s one of the more competitive schools) that they had a very strong cohort this year because of the extra 11+ prep. I am sure some at state schools might have done this (the two we know applying did not).

@PreplexJ interesting info. Any idea on the how many of the second stage girls get an offer? I didn’t dare ask this when we went because I was too scared!

@Redapples81 380 second round, 100 places my reasonable guess is about 200+ offers and waiting list - based on the fact that a lot of West/North London prep don't have a high accept rate on CLSG (can find this info from many prep website)

@Daydreamscometrue @Dallasdays Like you, I am impressed with how KGS is keeping in touch - I am trying not to read too much into it (mostly to manage own and DD's expectations).

Nothing from IPS, which is disappointing, but that seems to be the case for a quite a few schools. We applied to SCHS and, having done interviews and group assessment and ISEB in November, we have received no communication whatsoever (be it Christmas card, next steps, thanks for participating in the selection process,...).

My dd absolutely loved it. She enjoyed her experience and said the teachers were nice. I also felt the teachers were very open and attentive. It was a very different feel then to Godolphin. They were nice enough, but basically put the parents to the side to wait and we never saw the teachers again (until we were walking out). While at Putney the teachers stayed close and were friendly, said a few times if we have any questions please ask etc. I felt they did a much better job at selling the school.

There was a printout of the postcodes of girls attending CLSG in the waiting room (I wish I took a screenshot) - NW was the largest one, actually. I am trying to find that info on their website too, but I can't find it aggregated - you can only hover above the map and it gives you the numbers.

@FriendlyMom yes nw and n postcode is the largest group (190 and 183?) but historically prep school accept rate is not high even offered..

@Mamabear12 we had the same vibe at PHS. And CLSG as well, actually! The staff was very helpful and attentive and all the teachers (the staff lady said they were "senior staff who came to interview specifically for the day) were all smiling and very kind to the girls, setting them at ease.

@PreplexJ @FriendlyMom I didn’t realise that there were 100 places so that is better than the 75 I assumed. I would have thought City was everyone’s first choice or have I got this wrong? Hope so!!!

I really liked that about Putney. They did a great job with making sure the dc and parents felt comfortable and at ease.