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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:
Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 19/01/2023 23:11

EmotiveBubblez · 19/01/2023 16:26

@QuiteAJourney thanks for continuing the thread. Been out of the loop for several personal reasons whilst this process has been going on which has been stressful.

does anyone have an idea of the types of problem solving/ mathematical or English type questions they may be asked in interviews? (Examples would be great)

thank you in advance

@EmotiveBubblez so nice to have you back (you were the one that initially set the ball rolling with this yearly thread) - hope things are getting better / less stressful.

OP posts:
VickiMent · 19/01/2023 23:14

@BlueTick I'm not certain, I've been trying to encourage a range of favourites rather than one favourite as this process is a tough one where I don't think anything is certain. We are looking at a range of schools but we have pastoral at the forefront which I think Claremont delivers on,

I do love Claremont and I can definitely say that Mr Brierly is our favourite head. He spoke to my DS on his own at an open day while I was getting a coffee and DS was enthused. Also DS is very proud of the juggling he managed during the break during the exam day and was particularly impressed by Mr Brierly's juggling skills!

VickiMent · 19/01/2023 23:20

EmotiveBubblez · 19/01/2023 16:26

@QuiteAJourney thanks for continuing the thread. Been out of the loop for several personal reasons whilst this process has been going on which has been stressful.

does anyone have an idea of the types of problem solving/ mathematical or English type questions they may be asked in interviews? (Examples would be great)

thank you in advance

I don't know which exams you are doing. Our trickiest interview was Hampton where in maths they asked a few problems to be solved and in English they asked the for a paragraph to be read and then asked some questions on it.

Mamabear12 · 20/01/2023 07:39

VickiMent · 19/01/2023 22:04

I think I would prefer them altogether, to get it over with, I am dreading that we get bad news early on and then the waiting will be difficult.

Ah yes true. I just hope whichever email we get first it has good news 😅 I was so grateful that happened with the interview emails so made me less nervous opening others. My heart was literally pounding when opening the first email to read.

snowgirl1 · 20/01/2023 07:47

Thanks for the new thread

LoveMyADHD · 20/01/2023 08:10

SamPoodle123 · 19/01/2023 21:34

So I better check the post all day until it comes! lol

Show quote history

I fear for our poor posties that day 😂

Redapples81 · 20/01/2023 08:23

Morning all, does anyone know/hazard a guess at the interview to offer ratio at SHHS? Or indeed how many they interviewed?
when I tell my friends abroad about this whole process, they think we have all lost it and wonder why anyone would do this to ten year olds.

PreplexJ · 20/01/2023 08:50

@Redapples81 can't tell how many interviews in total, but they only have one day for interview (20 minutes per student)

My guesstimate on that day the interview number couldn't be more than 300 girls..

Offer ratio is a hard one, SHHS use consortium results but the school also give good weighs on school reference, the application form statement as well as your distance to the school..

sugarcookie5 · 20/01/2023 09:10

Thank you for the new thread! DS last interview this weekend then just waiting for results Ahhh!!!!

swgeek · 20/01/2023 09:21

We received most 11+ offers on the Friday around 2pm last year. Epsom College came out a few days before (Tuesday or Wednesday evening). WHS/PHS might also come earlier as mentioned above. I think Surbiton also came before Friday.

11plusmom · 20/01/2023 09:35

For us last year, PHS offer was lunch time on Monday before half term, SPGS Thursday before 9am, G&L and LU both Friday morning and WHS last on Friday afternoon but they did send post too. Good luck with the waiting! It’s the hardest bit, at least for me.

Link2022 · 20/01/2023 09:37

11plusmom · 20/01/2023 09:35

For us last year, PHS offer was lunch time on Monday before half term, SPGS Thursday before 9am, G&L and LU both Friday morning and WHS last on Friday afternoon but they did send post too. Good luck with the waiting! It’s the hardest bit, at least for me.

Thank you so much for this! Does anyone know when fhss results were sent? Presume also Friday morning, but something I read made me think it could be earlier.

VickiMent · 20/01/2023 09:40

swgeek · 20/01/2023 09:21

We received most 11+ offers on the Friday around 2pm last year. Epsom College came out a few days before (Tuesday or Wednesday evening). WHS/PHS might also come earlier as mentioned above. I think Surbiton also came before Friday.

Thank you for this. Did you know about St John's, they said they would email on the Saturday, am hoping it will be early in the day.

swgeek · 20/01/2023 09:43

@Link2022 we got the FHSS email Friday just before 2pm. Was quite a wait. The letter only arrived on Saturday morning for some reason.

Link2022 · 20/01/2023 09:50

swgeek · 20/01/2023 09:43

@Link2022 we got the FHSS email Friday just before 2pm. Was quite a wait. The letter only arrived on Saturday morning for some reason.

Thank you! Sounds like a long day of refreshing my email!

Redapples81 · 20/01/2023 10:01

PreplexJ · 20/01/2023 08:50

@Redapples81 can't tell how many interviews in total, but they only have one day for interview (20 minutes per student)

My guesstimate on that day the interview number couldn't be more than 300 girls..

Offer ratio is a hard one, SHHS use consortium results but the school also give good weighs on school reference, the application form statement as well as your distance to the school..

Thanks @PreplexJ . Only 50 places available I think so I imagine they can’t make more than 100/150 offers. Completion is tough I think.

Redapples81 · 20/01/2023 10:01

Redapples81 · 20/01/2023 10:01

Thanks @PreplexJ . Only 50 places available I think so I imagine they can’t make more than 100/150 offers. Completion is tough I think.

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I mean competition!!!

Mamabear12 · 20/01/2023 10:10

11plusmom · 20/01/2023 09:35

For us last year, PHS offer was lunch time on Monday before half term, SPGS Thursday before 9am, G&L and LU both Friday morning and WHS last on Friday afternoon but they did send post too. Good luck with the waiting! It’s the hardest bit, at least for me.

Thanks! That is very helpful to know. I hope they follow the same this year!

secondaryquandries · 20/01/2023 10:13

Is anyone still in two minds about the private/state decision? It feels awful after we've put ds through all the exams but we are still having some discussion about it. It will have a big impact on how hard we both have to work, for how long, retirement pot, house improvements, holidays etc etc. We have two children and have estimated the post tax cost from 11-18 to be knocking £400k. Would be interested to hear people's thoughts on this and argument for and against sending to private. Hoping this is on topic and not derailing the thread.

SamPoodle123 · 20/01/2023 10:14

So it seems 3 of the schools we applied to will email on the same day (the 10th) and Putney a few days ahead. I am really hoping Putney will be an offer! I think I am going to be very nervous that week.

Running247 · 20/01/2023 10:16

Did everyone applying receive the ‘Latymer News’ letter? Timing felt odd to me. I’d understand sending the positive PR to offer holders, but to send it to applicants now seemed strange when people don’t have offers.

SamPoodle123 · 20/01/2023 10:17

secondaryquandries · 20/01/2023 10:13

Is anyone still in two minds about the private/state decision? It feels awful after we've put ds through all the exams but we are still having some discussion about it. It will have a big impact on how hard we both have to work, for how long, retirement pot, house improvements, holidays etc etc. We have two children and have estimated the post tax cost from 11-18 to be knocking £400k. Would be interested to hear people's thoughts on this and argument for and against sending to private. Hoping this is on topic and not derailing the thread.

I have thought about this as well. Wishing fees were not so high for private (esp when we have 3 dc!). But no, if our dd gets a spot at private we will go with what she wants, which is private. She is not guaranteed a state spot at our only choice and she does not want it so, hopefully she will get an offer from one of the private schools we applied to.

PreplexJ · 20/01/2023 10:36

@secondaryquandries we have the local grammar option due to catchment but the grammar is no longer "local". Definitely going for private for my DD if we hear anything on 10th of Feb.

Start saving up money for my DS too. For us the 11+ process is way more stressful than the financial stress 😱

PreplexJ · 20/01/2023 10:38

@secondaryquandriesAnd it does affect our retirement plan and house extensions but I think these are secondary to getting my kids a good school..

MrPickles73 · 20/01/2023 10:55

Many thanks SamPoodle123 that's very helpful

Can anyone else advise please on how long in advance they started working / tutoring from grammar school 11+ exams and how many hours per week please? Thankyou