Page 11 | SW London Private and Grammar - applying for year 7 in 2023 (part V)

QuiteAJourney · 2023-01-30T18:43:10+00:00

Following from our previous threads, including the latest (link below) https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4723610-sw-london-private-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023?page=40 Looking forward to continuing the journey together

Workhar · 03/02/2023 08:48

AC7001 · 02/02/2023 22:17

As fate would have it, am I the first one to fire the first "No offer" bullet?

St Paul (Boys) 11+ was out yesterday and we got the "no offer" email. Entirely expected but I am still very proud of DS to have passed 2 stages (stage 1 ISEB) and stage 2 (written exams) into the interview stage of only about 100+ boys, from his "humble" beginning. A few more to come on Feb 10 and wish me and everyone luck!

A bit of a scared/frustrated rant here..why would a school do this? Invite kids for 3 stages and then say no! I am sure they can assess a child’s academic level post 2 exams and after interviewing, at least children deserve a wait list offer. I don’t understand the trend of inviting a large majority of students for interviews and then saying no. It’s heartless.

VickiMent · 03/02/2023 09:09

@Workhar it is just a horrible process and it isn't easy no matter when you get a 'no'. I think being on a waiting list, still hoping and it coming to nothing has to be the absolute worst.

We have to congratulate our DC for getting through the whole process. They are all clever capable kids with amazing potential. We all knew this was a crazy process and that they won't all get their top choice. Thankfully there are a lot of great options out there and hopefully they will all end up somewhere that brings out the best in them.

LoveMyADHD · 03/02/2023 09:21

Workhar · 03/02/2023 08:48

A bit of a scared/frustrated rant here..why would a school do this? Invite kids for 3 stages and then say no! I am sure they can assess a child’s academic level post 2 exams and after interviewing, at least children deserve a wait list offer. I don’t understand the trend of inviting a large majority of students for interviews and then saying no. It’s heartless.

Show quote history

It’s all about the “prestige” that the other poster mentioned the other day … they’ll get a 1000 more applicants next year because of that 😐

LondonMum20222 · 03/02/2023 09:35

Workhar · 03/02/2023 08:48

A bit of a scared/frustrated rant here..why would a school do this? Invite kids for 3 stages and then say no! I am sure they can assess a child’s academic level post 2 exams and after interviewing, at least children deserve a wait list offer. I don’t understand the trend of inviting a large majority of students for interviews and then saying no. It’s heartless.

Show quote history

I completely agree @Workhar. If what has been said on here is true re some other schools - eg KCS and LEH - that they will either offer or WL everyone who was called to interview, I'm struggling to think of a reason why all schools can't do that.
Take SPGS - the second round is a full day of assessments, three papers in English, Maths and the notorious Paper C. After that, together with first round CEM tests, one presumes they have a pretty good idea of who they're offering to, based on exam performance. So why interview 200 girls for 115 places, when their WL is (by all accounts) about 20 places? Why not just interview their top 150 and decide from there who is a firm offer and who's a WL? As other people have pointed out, there can't be that many kids that get red-flagged at this age and at interview stage.
I'm using SPGS as an example, but it's true of so many schools. From what's been said on here, some schools are interviewing 600 kids for 100 places. What's the rationale? And has nobody thought of the impact on the kids? It's unnecessarily brutal.

mootwo · 03/02/2023 09:41

Surbiton out today I think? Fingers crossed!!

Asham · 03/02/2023 09:53

We got waiting list for Reeds!

The interview was a disaster but I can’t help feeling disappointed.

Good luck to all those waiting for results today X

VickiMent · 03/02/2023 09:59

Asham · 03/02/2023 09:53

We got waiting list for Reeds!

The interview was a disaster but I can’t help feeling disappointed.

Good luck to all those waiting for results today X

Sorry to hear this but good luck for the others you are waiting for.

It is better to have the bad interview at one that isn't your favourite. I gather from another thread that the ISEB testing is quite unpredictable too.

AC7001 · 03/02/2023 10:01

Thanks for all the "condolences" on our SP failure. It was always more than aspirational for us and we did not plan to apply initially and so weren't that disappointed, and in fact, a bit surprised he got through to the final stage.

But for parents planning 11+ ahead and reading this, there are certain observations I can share, in particular on the interview. It would probably be most relevant to the most selective schools (perhaps Westminster, Eton, and St Paul for boys) which are usually the first choice for those that apply. It hasn't come to our mind until the interview date, when we saw quite a different mix of boys compared to what we saw in the stage 2 exam and on the open day, and more obvious after meeting the HM in the parents' interview when he explained the school's ethos. There were just too many of my boys' type. There were some 100 boys in the last stage, and with 36 spaces, maybe they offer 40-50 and a few more on the waitlist. Just some hypothetical number, maybe 10 or so are true geniuses they will certainly offer, but I imagine the exam score will be closer and closer when the ranking goes down to 100, and can easily be different if you gave them another set of exam papers. I think they then look for a mix they want to see to fit in with their ethos with the small difference in the score not really relevant, and for us, within the type of boys my son belongs to, he is at or near the bottom in the score.

For those still planning, you really need to make sure your kid stands out not just in exam scores but in something else that the school wants (and not everyone has).

Although we did not get an offer or wait list (they call reserve list), we do understand why the school choose boys this way, as without the ethos, it would not be the school it always has been.

sugarcookie5 · 03/02/2023 10:01

Hello! Halliford results are being sent today I think? I’m hoping email rather than post? Anyone know please???

NellyCortado · 03/02/2023 10:02

@Asham the disappointment is understandable, but WL is still very positive. Best of luck for the remaining results!

We are also waiting for Reeds. Did you get the results by post or email?

Asham · 03/02/2023 10:06

Thank you. I am seeing WL as a positive.

we got the results by post.

good luck X

neverusedtobeanxious · 03/02/2023 10:06

Asham · 03/02/2023 09:53

We got waiting list for Reeds!

The interview was a disaster but I can’t help feeling disappointed.

Good luck to all those waiting for results today X

Hi

Late to the party, just joined thread, hope you don’t mind me crashing but my anxiety has led me here! 😂

Have you received the Reeds WL place through post or email?

Any scoop on when we hear from Halliford and how (email/post) also welcomed!

invigilator · 03/02/2023 10:12

LondonMum20222 · 03/02/2023 09:35

I completely agree @Workhar. If what has been said on here is true re some other schools - eg KCS and LEH - that they will either offer or WL everyone who was called to interview, I'm struggling to think of a reason why all schools can't do that.
Take SPGS - the second round is a full day of assessments, three papers in English, Maths and the notorious Paper C. After that, together with first round CEM tests, one presumes they have a pretty good idea of who they're offering to, based on exam performance. So why interview 200 girls for 115 places, when their WL is (by all accounts) about 20 places? Why not just interview their top 150 and decide from there who is a firm offer and who's a WL? As other people have pointed out, there can't be that many kids that get red-flagged at this age and at interview stage.
I'm using SPGS as an example, but it's true of so many schools. From what's been said on here, some schools are interviewing 600 kids for 100 places. What's the rationale? And has nobody thought of the impact on the kids? It's unnecessarily brutal.

Show quote history

KCS certainly don’t put all interviewees on WL- some get a definite No.

LondonMum20222 · 03/02/2023 10:13

invigilator · 03/02/2023 10:12

KCS certainly don’t put all interviewees on WL- some get a definite No.

Show quote history

Apologies! I meant KGS!!

VickiMent · 03/02/2023 10:17

By all accounts it sounds as if most school have additional applicants and it will be harder for them to predict their acceptance rates.

If they don't over offer, it should mean WLs move than usual. Hopefully people are quick to turn down offers they don't intend to take and that happens efficiently!

elevenplusmum22 · 03/02/2023 10:22

@neverusedtobeanxious welcome. Reed’s 11+ by post yesterday. 13+ next week.

Good luck!

Original poster

QuiteAJourney · 03/02/2023 10:35

@Asham you so have the right attitude in seeing the WL as a positive. I think that, with volume of applications per candidate going up, it would not be surprising if WLs move more than in previous years.

OP posts:

Didsomeonesay · 03/02/2023 10:40

Did someone say they think surbiton high is today?

congrats to all those who have gained places or WL offers

mootwo · 03/02/2023 10:46

@Didsomeonesay That’s what I thought, yes. I think they usually send emails about 6pm though so I’ll try and stop hitting ‘refresh’ 😆

noideaboutanything · 03/02/2023 10:53

sugarcookie5 · 03/02/2023 10:01

Hello! Halliford results are being sent today I think? I’m hoping email rather than post? Anyone know please???

I got told post!

crazymama123 · 03/02/2023 10:54

AC7001 · 03/02/2023 10:01

Thanks for all the "condolences" on our SP failure. It was always more than aspirational for us and we did not plan to apply initially and so weren't that disappointed, and in fact, a bit surprised he got through to the final stage.

But for parents planning 11+ ahead and reading this, there are certain observations I can share, in particular on the interview. It would probably be most relevant to the most selective schools (perhaps Westminster, Eton, and St Paul for boys) which are usually the first choice for those that apply. It hasn't come to our mind until the interview date, when we saw quite a different mix of boys compared to what we saw in the stage 2 exam and on the open day, and more obvious after meeting the HM in the parents' interview when he explained the school's ethos. There were just too many of my boys' type. There were some 100 boys in the last stage, and with 36 spaces, maybe they offer 40-50 and a few more on the waitlist. Just some hypothetical number, maybe 10 or so are true geniuses they will certainly offer, but I imagine the exam score will be closer and closer when the ranking goes down to 100, and can easily be different if you gave them another set of exam papers. I think they then look for a mix they want to see to fit in with their ethos with the small difference in the score not really relevant, and for us, within the type of boys my son belongs to, he is at or near the bottom in the score.

For those still planning, you really need to make sure your kid stands out not just in exam scores but in something else that the school wants (and not everyone has).

Although we did not get an offer or wait list (they call reserve list), we do understand why the school choose boys this way, as without the ethos, it would not be the school it always has been.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and advice. I'm sure it will be helpful for the next cohort of families going through this process next year. In fact i was thinking of pulling together a thread on key information for various schools in an attempt to be helpful to those going through this process in future...

SamPoodle123 · 03/02/2023 11:02

cerealchange · 03/02/2023 08:04

We are waiting on both putney and epsom next week so if that's true @SamPoodle123 we will potentially have two early ones! DD loves both but I think Epsom had the edge- Saturday school is a positive for her as she likes seeing her friends (she's one who loves school). We really liked the new head and felt like Epsom is very much on the up. I admit the fees are an issue but looking around it's easy to see where the money goes, the place is impressive and I felt there was a sense of belonging to something a lot larger. She loved Putney too though and is super tall ans Putney has rowing so has an edge over Epsom there!!

My dd likes all the school she applied to. I hope she is lucky enough to have more then one offer, but she did say it would be very difficult choice to make!

SamPoodle123 · 03/02/2023 11:07

AC7001 · 03/02/2023 10:01

Thanks for all the "condolences" on our SP failure. It was always more than aspirational for us and we did not plan to apply initially and so weren't that disappointed, and in fact, a bit surprised he got through to the final stage.

But for parents planning 11+ ahead and reading this, there are certain observations I can share, in particular on the interview. It would probably be most relevant to the most selective schools (perhaps Westminster, Eton, and St Paul for boys) which are usually the first choice for those that apply. It hasn't come to our mind until the interview date, when we saw quite a different mix of boys compared to what we saw in the stage 2 exam and on the open day, and more obvious after meeting the HM in the parents' interview when he explained the school's ethos. There were just too many of my boys' type. There were some 100 boys in the last stage, and with 36 spaces, maybe they offer 40-50 and a few more on the waitlist. Just some hypothetical number, maybe 10 or so are true geniuses they will certainly offer, but I imagine the exam score will be closer and closer when the ranking goes down to 100, and can easily be different if you gave them another set of exam papers. I think they then look for a mix they want to see to fit in with their ethos with the small difference in the score not really relevant, and for us, within the type of boys my son belongs to, he is at or near the bottom in the score.

For those still planning, you really need to make sure your kid stands out not just in exam scores but in something else that the school wants (and not everyone has).

Although we did not get an offer or wait list (they call reserve list), we do understand why the school choose boys this way, as without the ethos, it would not be the school it always has been.

Someone told me SPGS likes to select girls that have a particular passion or focus on one thing outside of the school. So like, what sets them apart. They want someone who gets the high scores and who is an expert pianist or ballerina, scientist etc.

Workhar · 03/02/2023 11:14

LondonMum20222 · 03/02/2023 09:35

I completely agree @Workhar. If what has been said on here is true re some other schools - eg KCS and LEH - that they will either offer or WL everyone who was called to interview, I'm struggling to think of a reason why all schools can't do that.
Take SPGS - the second round is a full day of assessments, three papers in English, Maths and the notorious Paper C. After that, together with first round CEM tests, one presumes they have a pretty good idea of who they're offering to, based on exam performance. So why interview 200 girls for 115 places, when their WL is (by all accounts) about 20 places? Why not just interview their top 150 and decide from there who is a firm offer and who's a WL? As other people have pointed out, there can't be that many kids that get red-flagged at this age and at interview stage.
I'm using SPGS as an example, but it's true of so many schools. From what's been said on here, some schools are interviewing 600 kids for 100 places. What's the rationale? And has nobody thought of the impact on the kids? It's unnecessarily brutal.

Show quote history

This year, the biggest mystery in SW London has been G&L. They interviewed so many girls (my guess is 50-60%). On top of that, their interview was the shortest.

Redapples81 · 03/02/2023 11:16

LondonMum20222 · 03/02/2023 09:35

I completely agree @Workhar. If what has been said on here is true re some other schools - eg KCS and LEH - that they will either offer or WL everyone who was called to interview, I'm struggling to think of a reason why all schools can't do that.
Take SPGS - the second round is a full day of assessments, three papers in English, Maths and the notorious Paper C. After that, together with first round CEM tests, one presumes they have a pretty good idea of who they're offering to, based on exam performance. So why interview 200 girls for 115 places, when their WL is (by all accounts) about 20 places? Why not just interview their top 150 and decide from there who is a firm offer and who's a WL? As other people have pointed out, there can't be that many kids that get red-flagged at this age and at interview stage.
I'm using SPGS as an example, but it's true of so many schools. From what's been said on here, some schools are interviewing 600 kids for 100 places. What's the rationale? And has nobody thought of the impact on the kids? It's unnecessarily brutal.

Show quote history

Yep, agree. My DD came out of some interviews saying the interviewer was lovely and she made them laugh. She was really feeling positive. I had to explain the odds to her and she said why would they be so nice if I wasn’t getting a place. Brutal.