SPGS actual offers and acceptances

[spnumbers]

This has been mentioned a few times. Here's last year's actual results by school. The class was 113. 51 places were achieved by making 53 offers. That's 45% of the class. At that rate, it implies that a total of 4.4 offers were declined. If we think the other 55% is more likely to decline offers, then it's more like 7-12 total offers declined. Enjoy.

I think one of the reason parents might reject SPGS is because the school attracts too many of prospective parents thinking in this way.

I was responding to the question of why more state school applicants may have rejected spgs offers rather than private prep schools applicants … seems like a logical assumption wasn’t making any judgements . I went to spgs .. it’s a great school and I may be biased in calling it ‘ the best ‘ but if judging by results I think a reasonable statement. I am in a position however where I am thinking a state school option is better than a private school one for my son as not sure I can afford private school.. I imagine a lot of people in a similar position and taking similar decisions. I think your statement is a bit judgmental and making wrong assumptions.

"don’t think anyone would turn it down"
IS a judgement statement and making wrong assumptions

I personally wouldn’t if I could afford it … if I couldn’t I might… just responding on my own opinions…tbh your response is very judgemental …
you wouldn’t send your child there because there might be people with my opinions there .. basically you don’t like spgs … that is basically a judgement ..
what is your position by the way.. did you or child get a place there and decided to reject it as it wasn’t your preference despite being able to afford private school?

”the best school”?? Come on! You are clearly intelligent so must realise there is no such thing. SPGS gets clever girls coming in because they select and those girls achieve good GCSEs and A levels. Is it the best school for an anxious girl who can’t help herself comparing herself to her peers? For a girl who is national level basketball which the school doesn’t play or support? Or for a girl who has done great at primary at masking her ADHD or ASD but can’t cope with the transition to secondary? Of course not. The “best school” for any individual student is the one that they and their parents think will help that student achieve their potential and enjoy their school experience.

Ok… yes agree .. ‘ best’ is very subjective !

Your opinion is literally "nobody will turn it down if they can afford", which I believe is not true.

My assumption (yep can be judgemental) is that if too many parents choose SPGS simply with that mindset without considering other factors then surely some parents would not want to be part of it.

I think at 11 children can choose what they feel is right for them ( as I did).. I was responding to someone who was wondering why more state school applicants might turn down places more than private school applicants… I think the cost is a likely to be a factor. Some grammar schools are more competitive than top private schools so if you get a free place there rather than burdening your parents I think children might choose it over schools like spgs etc.

I am not disagreeing with your opinion on state school will have more students reject SPGS offers (see my earlier reply in the first page)
This could either because they choose grammar or other private schools. Cost is just one of the factor for considerations. As a matter of fact, a significant number of state primary schools student in London transit to private schools at 11+ in London.

However, I just disagree with your statement on "nobody will turn SPGS down if they can afford".

Is it the best school for an anxious girl who can’t help herself comparing herself to her peers?

It might be. Mine's a bit like that and the ethos at St Paul's which is very much about not comparing yourself to others but just striving to do your own best has been really helpful for her. The school actively makes it difficult to compare yourself to others, particularly in the younger years.

They also seem to be pretty good with some forms of additional needs.

I don't know anything about basketball but they do have facilities to play it (it's not compulsory at any level and my daughter is completely uninterested in any form of sport so obviously has not been seeking out basketball opportunities, in fact probably trying to avoid anything like that). I guess in that situation the girl in question would need to decide what was more important to her - basketball or academic studies. Presumably barely any other school would have other players at her level if that girl was on the national team.

I do agree it's not the best school for everyone or even most people though (am also former Paulina for full disclosure). It might be the best or one of the best for quite a lot of those who pass the exam. DD went to a state primary and got into one of the well-known London grammars but we chose St Paul's for the breadth of the curriculum and the 'feel'. So far it has worked out pretty well for us.

Yeah .. was going to say anxious girl / even ASD /ADHD might thrive at SPGS as it embraces individuality .
I think the feel is very important … I knew it was the school for me when I walked in but some might not feel that way.
if I had a daughter I would be very pleased if she went to spgs if that’s what she wanted.. but have a boy..
good to know that you can get into good secondary private schools with state primary … I am surrounded by mums stressing about getting kids into 4 plus run through schools like nlcs… and saying v hard to get in at 11 and it’s all changed since my day !!
I m sure though people were telling my mum back in my day similar things though!

good to know that you can get into good secondary private schools with state primary

Definitely. There can be a bit of an adjustment period - it is certainly true that children from prep schools may have covered a bit more material than those from state primaries (especially if it is an ordinary/average school). But it soon evens out.

Can I ask if anyone knows if SPGS made any offers to high functioning kids, very high CAT scores but diagnosed as dyslexia? My DD will take 11+next year and never had academic issues but recently diagnosed and confirmed for extra time (25%). We are conflicted whether showing the report and getting the extra time will eventually work against her? curious to hear if there were DDs in same situation and got into SPGS.

@JustInvolved I think this is a very interesting question, which I can't specifically answer as don't have experience at SPGS but I am still following this thread from last year and I did just want to say one thing as my daughter is the same (exceptionally high CAT scores and also diagnosed as dyslexic).

Why would you even consider sending your daughter to a school where you had not shown them the report? The information in that report potentially unlocks a huge amount about how they learn and their neuro diversity. If the school doens't know this, how can they really help your daughter reach their potential, and if knowing that information would 'work against her' then why would you want to send your daughter there?

I don't mean to sound critical at all by the way, it's just what I have learnt from my own daughter, who is now in Year 7, so just a point of view from a year later on in the process, a year later on from the diagnosis.

I'm really hoping you get responses from SPGS parents of dyslexic girls in the affirmative though! They are great thinkers.

@JustInvolved As a parent, I would say ask them. I don't know anything about dyslexia in particular but I do know children with other types of additional needs who seem happy. DD has had accommodations made for stuff that she struggles with, and continues to be well supported with any difficulties she has. It is a very kind place, at least we have found it so.

Hi both - thanks for the views, and no worries about being critical. I think I am still in a state of surprise that DD has dyslexia, and not in a bad way but just that it came out of the blue. Just days before the screening, we met with teachers to discuss schools for 11+. All the teachers had advised us to consider the top schools, as she was consistently high performer and high CAT scores. She has also not struggled with finishing papers on time. So when the Dyslexia came in and the main area was 'slower in processing than average', I was not sure what to make of it. So I have now paused to think whether we should even consider any of the top schools, as academic demands will only increase and I do not want her to struggle or feel out of place. But I know she has been keen on SPGS and LEH. I am just really trying to understand if the top schools are truly supportive of those who come in with a dyslexic report. So, I was curious if anyone having dyslexia has been accepted into the school and how they are finding the academic demands. Can they cope, are they stressed etc. Any views will be appreciated.

If she has not struggled with finishing papers and is doing well on tests, despite a slower processing speed, I would imagine she will be just fine at an academic school (but I have no experience of dyslexia and you know your child best).

I honestly think the best thing is to send them an email and ask what support might be available and if they have experience of dealing with dyslexia. They will probably be fine for you to go in and chat to the head of learning support to get some more detailed answers before you make a decision.

I had lots of questions about specific things before my daughter took the exams and staff were uniformly helpful in getting me the information I needed.

Yes, they have. I can't give you numbers, but do I do that there are some in my DD's year.

Thank you! Great to hear! Will write to some schools to find out.

@spnumbers any idea how many applied to SPGS?