Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

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

Original poster

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

998 replies

QuiteAJourney · 19/01/2023 13:40

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

OP posts:
EmotiveBubblez · 23/01/2023 23:31

Thank you @Workhar

EmotiveBubblez · 23/01/2023 23:34

This may have missed me but how long do we have to make decisions about offers?

I ask as we have applied to state as well and we find out about that beginning of March.

Anyone know?

woohooho · 23/01/2023 23:39

EmotiveBubblez · 23/01/2023 23:34

This may have missed me but how long do we have to make decisions about offers?

I ask as we have applied to state as well and we find out about that beginning of March.

Anyone know?

Both times we've been through it we had a couple of days after the State school results as a deadline for all the schools.

woohooho · 23/01/2023 23:44

And we also got a waitlist place the day after state school allocation day and were given a couple of days to decide on that as well. May have been up to 4 days - can't quite remember!

PreplexJ · 23/01/2023 23:45

woohooho · 23/01/2023 23:39

Both times we've been through it we had a couple of days after the State school results as a deadline for all the schools.

Show quote history

Check your offer letter carefully, not the same for every school, and every year is different - some school may operates on first come fist serve basis.

woohooho · 23/01/2023 23:48

KGS used to say that but I don't think they do anymore and CLSG had exploding offers one year. Radnor sometimes do as well but I don't think others do or will as very unpopular! But yes, will be all laid out in the offer letter.

EmotiveBubblez · 23/01/2023 23:49

Thanks @woohooho

woohooho · 23/01/2023 23:53

EmotiveBubblez · 23/01/2023 23:49

Thanks @woohooho

Just looked up DS's school- offer deadline 3 March- 2 days after National Offer Day.
Suspect most will have that Friday.

tutoringagent · 23/01/2023 23:54

woohooho · 23/01/2023 23:48

KGS used to say that but I don't think they do anymore and CLSG had exploding offers one year. Radnor sometimes do as well but I don't think others do or will as very unpopular! But yes, will be all laid out in the offer letter.

Pro

Hitoyou · 23/01/2023 23:56

I have to aay our Emanuel experience hasn't been as positive. Interview slot sent a full day after they said they would get them out (a week after we had filled the pref form) and then it was the slot at the bottom of our list. I know they have big numbers but surely it would be easier all round if they sent out a date and those who couldn't make that came back ?

Also if you have an afternoon slot at Emanuel in Thurs feed your DC before they go, I didn't because I got them from school and we were tight for time and everywhere we have been has had copious quantities of drink and snacks for adulfs and children. They got nothing and were very hungry when I picked them up and said they had flagged at the group activity, so not holding our breath on that one....

EmotiveBubblez · 23/01/2023 23:56

Blimey not much time @woohooho

woohooho · 24/01/2023 00:00

EmotiveBubblez · 23/01/2023 23:56

Blimey not much time @woohooho

I guess by then you will have been to offer holders events etc and the Waitlists won't tend to move until after the state school offers so it's better to get it all moving so WL places can be offered etc. Otherwise the whole process would just drag on and on! I think state school offers for us fell on third/ Fri so we did have the weekend to think!

momomamiko · 24/01/2023 06:57

PreplexJ · 23/01/2023 23:45

Check your offer letter carefully, not the same for every school, and every year is different - some school may operates on first come fist serve basis.

Show quote history

“Explosive offers” as they are called - I think they work on a first come first serve basis so you are out in the cold once places are filled even if you had an offer.

Not sure schools still do this but heard of some shenanigans in the past.

11prep2024 · 24/01/2023 07:08

PreplexJ · 23/01/2023 14:14

It is okey, 1-2 hours per week heresay become 1-2 hours daily now. I wish I can create time in MN.

Just interest in Prep school parents when does the summer term start? How many parents in prep actually sit grammars (which stars in early September?)

MN myth twisted faster than speed of light. LOL

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 24/01/2023 07:19

@Hitoyou Sorry to hear that it was not a good experience.

The logistics were a bit messy - we were told to come back by a certain hour but by then our DD had not yet had her interview and the same for quite a few others. But other kids in her same time slot had already finished and gone home. As there was also a certain overlap with the DC and families in the following time slot there was quite a crowd with staff trying to keep up.

I do not think that it was DD's finest hour either - apparently there was some initial confusion over which group she was supposed to be in, and I think that distracted her. Between that and the fact that the numbers are rather mad (over 600 kids) I am not holding my breath either.

OP posts:
SamPoodle123 · 24/01/2023 07:42

QuiteAJourney · 24/01/2023 07:19

@Hitoyou Sorry to hear that it was not a good experience.

The logistics were a bit messy - we were told to come back by a certain hour but by then our DD had not yet had her interview and the same for quite a few others. But other kids in her same time slot had already finished and gone home. As there was also a certain overlap with the DC and families in the following time slot there was quite a crowd with staff trying to keep up.

I do not think that it was DD's finest hour either - apparently there was some initial confusion over which group she was supposed to be in, and I think that distracted her. Between that and the fact that the numbers are rather mad (over 600 kids) I am not holding my breath either.

Yikes, we have the Emanuel interview Thursday and I was hoping they would finish on time so my dd can make it back to her school for an event taking place that she wants to go to :( I feel bad if she misses out because it is something fun for her year. I am not sure what they are thinking taking such a huge number for interviews, esp if it gives false hope to some, but perhaps they really do consider all 600 on equal footing once they make it to interview stage? I am not holding out much hope either, as I have heard a few times it is hard to predict what exactly they are going for.

natalitypeak · 24/01/2023 08:22

PreplexJ · 23/01/2023 19:10

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
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?reply=123305795&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

@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

It is great people sharing their fresh experiences.

Am I right to conclude that the mums who just had their DCs through 11+ exams say 1 hours per day prep time is the norm;
Mums 2? about to start the process think it is bonkers and for a lot of DCs little prep is needed for getting in top schools in London?

Why are these Mums so confident?

The HM of our prep school mentioned of natality peak in 2012 could this be the explanation?

Hitoyou · 24/01/2023 08:47

SamPoodle I'm afraid I wouldn't count on getting back to school - ours also over ran by 20 mins.....

Can we drop the talk of prep for the exams ? That horse is not only dead from exhaustion it has disintegrated with repitition... If anyone wants to rehash it maybe start a new thread ?

FriendlyMom · 24/01/2023 08:52

EmotiveBubblez · 23/01/2023 21:53

Anyone have an idea about what they ask on NHEH and Queens Gate interviews?

Queens Gate - very friendly interview - general nature questions about yourself, etc. Very pleasant experience, rather short - 15 or so minutes. Good luck!

elevenplusmum22 · 24/01/2023 08:55

There were exploding offers for one of the girls’ schools last year, I think it was Putney High but maybe remembering incorrectly.

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 24/01/2023 09:04

Interesting and concerning point on exploding offers - now fearing that, given heightened uncertainty, schools might be tempted to use them again.
Can anyone with direct experience of them from previous years outline how they are worded in the letter / work? They seem to run against the spirit of offering an 'offer holders' event (usually two weeks after offer) and can be particularly challenging if people have applied to grammars (unless that they are willing to forego a deposit - but that would undermine the whole point of the exercise!).

OP posts:
woohooho · 24/01/2023 09:09

QuiteAJourney · 24/01/2023 09:04

Interesting and concerning point on exploding offers - now fearing that, given heightened uncertainty, schools might be tempted to use them again.
Can anyone with direct experience of them from previous years outline how they are worded in the letter / work? They seem to run against the spirit of offering an 'offer holders' event (usually two weeks after offer) and can be particularly challenging if people have applied to grammars (unless that they are willing to forego a deposit - but that would undermine the whole point of the exercise!).

When KGS did it the head said he didn't want to but the lawyers made him. The wording was clear in the offer letter but it never became an issue. We were really late to make decisions and the other schools were very clear that we had until acceptance date. We did get reminded emails but they weren't 'threatening'!

EmotiveBubblez · 24/01/2023 09:20

@FriendlyMom thank you.

natalitypeak · 24/01/2023 09:20

@Hitoyou Apologies, I thought that is a hot topic, read some many heated debate around this recently.

sailingsunshine · 24/01/2023 09:28

QuiteAJourney · 24/01/2023 09:04

Interesting and concerning point on exploding offers - now fearing that, given heightened uncertainty, schools might be tempted to use them again.
Can anyone with direct experience of them from previous years outline how they are worded in the letter / work? They seem to run against the spirit of offering an 'offer holders' event (usually two weeks after offer) and can be particularly challenging if people have applied to grammars (unless that they are willing to forego a deposit - but that would undermine the whole point of the exercise!).

I would have thought schools are less likely to use them as they get such bad press and more likely to lean heavily on the WL. It's not worth speculating because no one knows which schools will use an "exploding" option until the offers arrive. The admissions teams are probably checking the wording of offer letters at the moment and the final lists of offers v WL are still being drawn up.