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 personally dislike the question about which school you prefer etc. Emanuel was the only one that asked and it put me off. I do not think it is something your 10 year should know or communicate. Not the ethos stated

That is a good line!
I just think that they were making pleasant small talk to wrap up and send everyone home with a warm feeling.
I so agree that it is difficult not to read too much into it... but I honestly think that there is nothing to it.

I very much agree.
If you want to ask the parents as part of the application submission, not a 10 year old in the middle of the interview.

Apart from at one school (where the interviewer comes out afterwards to meet the parents and have a short chat- which was a nice touch). BUT the people next to us got a 'well, no matter what happens in the future, I wish you well'.....

Oooh that's a bit 😬

I think it depends on the person doing the interview. A different teacher brought another dc back before mine and just said "Nice to meet you, good luck on your application."

Were the last interviews today?

I think so.

Two weeks tomorrow then 😖

I don't mind this question, but do think it can put some in a difficult spot. TBH we really do not have a favourite, as all the schools seem lovely (although I am not sure about G&L, as I really did not get the same good vibes as other schools).

I really like that at Emanuel, you got to meet the person who interviewed your dc, and in our case we got really positive feedback, so we left feeling happy. I also liked to see the other teachers and how they interacted with other students and parents. It was the only school that we got to meet the teacher doing the interview. I really like how Emanuel has handled the whole 11+ process.

Tomorrow is the last day

@knopka thanks!

any reason why this can`t be replied as 1 and 9991? they also are factors of the number, no?

KGS interviews were similar in approach (minus the question about which other schools DD had applied to and minus the "bring and object"). But warm and meeting the teacher beforehand and having a better feeling for the place.

I agree that Emanuel has handled the admissions very well and, for quite a few people, that will push them up their preference list (it has done with us). Similarly KGS, who has been really good at keeping in touch and making DCs wanted. Of the schools that we have applied to, these are the top 2 in so far as the running of the process goes.

@QuiteAJourney completely agree with you re KGS and Emanuel. Lovely experience at both for parents and children. DS has enjoyed his time at all of the schools except Ibstock first round.

They are, but the question will usually ask for prime factors.

Agree on IPS first round - unnecessarily knocking kids confidence off by setting almost impossible tasks. You could see most kids coming out a bit shell-shocked.

WHS has been also a bit of a shocker of a process - unnecessarily impersonal

Yikes, why would they do this? I worried we would get impossible tasks or questions, but dd was lucky and all interviews went smoothly, with no big surprises. Questions were fun or just general chat. She always felt comfortable. She was only asked one math question at one interview (which she said was easy).

@momomamiko that was the unsophisticated answer I got too! Why over complicated things eh!

I haven’t really found WHS more impersonal than the others, really. What makes you say that?
Epsom was probably the most welcoming for us but the others we applied for were all quite similar - JAGS, Alleyns, WHS, FHSS…..

Completely agree re Ibstock first round and I intend to write to them and tell them how it felt. It was outrageous
and I was cross. Not what you expect for your £150 + application fee.
WHS first round was also a shocker for everyone I know who applied, for those who got through and those who didn’t. Unnecessarily hard and time pressured and very few finished in time.
There were also zero personal touches. Putney High was far better run, way more respectful.

What was the problem with Ibstock first round? My son did it and found it ok. The time pressure in the online tests or something else?

@Pigeon25 - as per @Vista123 's comments. Also pick up was rushed edging on rude (with staff chanting "please move along" despite the fact that parents were moving along as fast as possible whilst trying to identify their kids).

The time pressure, which seems to have been different depending on the slot too. DD went through to second stage but came out completely disheartened (quite a few of her friends had the same experience).