SW London Private & Grammar: applying for year 7 in 2023

[QuiteAJourney]

Following up from
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4716365-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023-part-iii?page=40

Sharing the journey

I am sure a lot more on this thread feel the same. I certainly do, my DS would not have been compliant with the level of prep being suggested by some. We made a conscious decision that he should aim for schools that he could cope with without tutoring. Some might feel this means we haven't pushed him to his potential but that is not our mindset. He does not enjoy being pressured and we don't see the point in putting into an environment that will be like that. Like you @knopka I am second guessing myself at the moment (waiting is hard) but I hope that when the offers come out we will be okay. It sounds like we have some common target schools which I hope will provide a good balanced education. They are harder to get into than they used to be, but hopefully still achievable.

I have recently heard of a parent who has heavily tutored their DD and now feels they need to maintain tutoring for the rest of the year to ensure their DD is prepared for year 7. I understand some might want to do this but if it was me I would worry about the resulting damage to my DC's mental health over the longer term.

@MomFromSE
Thanks again and also thanks for reassurance.
It's hard waiting and also the mum guilt is real.
I am originally not from the UK and we only lived in London for a short while so 11+ was a mystery to us and I feel that we didn't do enough prep. I hope their natural ability is enough to get offers but I will prepare just in case it's not.
Reading through all the activities and prep other children in London, we won't have physically managed it as th lockdowns were much longer here and also its good 40 mins one way by car to the school and international school here has IPC, not British curriculum and doesn't do 11+ prep.
They just started doing CAT4 last year which is why I know their scores.
At this point I want to hibernate until 10th February

@VickiMent
Yes it sounds like we do have similar targets schools - we didn't apply for any boys schools, only co ed which seems to be more competitive now.

My older son is quite shy so I really wanted a nurturing school for him that does sports as he loves sports. My second son is however total opposite - is into drama and more creative stuff which by itself present a challenge. However, academically they are very similar so we ideally want them at the same school. At this point however I am willing to split them at least for now, depending on the offers we get (or dont).

I honestly underestated the level of prep but there is nothing I can't change now. They usually don't need any input from us academically so we were a little too relaxed.

They have interviews this week so i really hope that the schools are good at putting them at ease as online is also not as welcoming as in person, you don't get to see other pupils and participate in group activities.

But honestly, with 3 children, it's enough work without doing prep every day and also in the lockdowns we relied to games to keep all of us sane. I don't think my children are compliant enough to do extra work every day just because I told them so😁
They do read a lot (for pleasure) and they do whatever homework is set but they certainly don't want to have an afterschool activity every day and we enjoy weekends without set activities as there is not much offering where we are in English. They used to both swim for WSC but there isn't an opportunity here for example.

@knopka The fact they've made it to interview suggests they've done really well based on their natural ability so far. I'm keeping everything crossed for you!

LOL! Probably.

It is okay, I understand obviously.

It's hard to know without much feedback and they sat their tests immediately after a bereavement in the family so it could have affected their performance. The process isn't very transparent and its hard to tell whether interviews carry much weight or its really just based on exam results and interviews are just to check that the child is ok.
I do regret not choosing 1 or 2 more London based schools but hindsight is a great thing, isn't it?

Inspired by @woohooho Tutorng Centre idea "LOL" I decided to do some market research in mumsnet specifically for the SW London Market. With the help of a lot of honestl MN parents, I believe we have enough sample size to be representative. Thanks so much for all the parents step up and share the first hand information. And sorry for those past year or future year parents, or those who know or hear others doing whatever - your comments are not included. I really hope this thread can bring more useful information for the parents.

@SamPoodle123
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123221932&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123300267&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123303717&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@secondaryquandries
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123237133&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123238019&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@PreplexJ
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123236817&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123241416&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123297180&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@momomamiko
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123240670&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123306443&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@Link2022
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?page=10

@Onedayatatimetoo
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@Taurus23
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123306310&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@knopka
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123309750&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123325537&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@Tolacar
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123319386&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@readingcat
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123320794&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

This thread is what happens when exams finish, all the prep disappears and we all have a lot more time on our hands 😆

Where are the charts?? We need charts 😂

I'm sorry to the past year lurking parent - I am new to this marketing thing 😅

This thread seems to have gone off course?

Has anyone checked out the Harrodian extra curricular interests questionnaire? OMG - I feel like withdrawing.....

There is always hope!
(I, and I imagine others, are abstaining from entering into the fracas ... sometimes, it is better not to "feed" these situations and wait until they get to a natural end).

@Dallasdays is it extensive?

Has anyone else had the Emanuel interview?

Just done it! Worry not, our entry is quite unimpressive!
When is your DC attending?

Yes. A bit messy (large numbers) but staff very warm and making DC at ease.

@QuiteAJourney guess you learnt from the previous thread iii

@QuiteAJourney @Daydreamscometrue we have hardly anything to say - my DS does one sport to a very basic level, no music, drama, sporting or artistic achievements of note. He is more into history, science, chess, cubs (as well as plenty of computer games). I'm honestly completely put off by it!

It was busy Saturday morning. I felt for the staff when trying to locate children for interview.

@Dallasdays this would be my DS!

Worry not, I have learnt (much earlier, through life) that some people do not listen and take well-reasoned arguments or conciliatory comments as attempts to shut them down.

So, after some well meaning attempts, I just stick to contributing my personal experience and views (without generalising), sharing information that can be sourced and be supportive of others.

@QuiteAJourney "I just stick to contributing my personal experience and views (without generalising), sharing information that can be sourced and be supportive of others."

Good same page thank you