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Secondary education

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

Original poster

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

995 replies

QuiteAJourney · 30/01/2023 18:43

Following from our previous threads, including the latest (link below) 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

OP posts:
SamPoodle123 · 09/02/2023 06:36

PreplexJ · 08/02/2023 23:11

Why we have to assume Butes girls will likely to choose G&l and SPGS over PHS?

A lot of mums said they are very similar level school anyway? Is it because SW parents want to pay higher tuition fee?

I'm pretty sure it is not just a human prestige thing as this thread frequently quoted.

Show quote history

I don't just assume, it is in their stats on their website and a family member attends Bute currently, so I know what goes on there. The majority go to SPGS, G&L and LU. And then the others go to Putney, FHSS, Boarding etc. Ranking of schools seems quite important to some. I was advised by one mum if we get a spot at G&L we would be crazy not to take, pointing out the rankings. For me I want to look at the big picture and if my dd will actually fit in, not just the rankings. I am very happy with Putney offer and feel my dd will do well there. I like all the schools we applied to though and my dd favours G&L. If we are lucky enough to get an offer, we will have to go to the holders event to decide for sure. I am quite nervous, as its my dd first choice.

momomamiko · 09/02/2023 07:05

sugarcookie5 · 08/02/2023 14:11

Could anyone please suggest some London preps to 13 that it isn’t too late to talk to for September???

Thomas”s!

Lolakath19 · 09/02/2023 07:12

@LoveMyADHD that is what I understand from mums that have done in previous years. Especially in maths, most children from prep have done all the curriculum already so the years is spent doing nothing for them and catching up the children from state if needed.

SamPoodle123 · 09/02/2023 07:18

Lolakath19 · 09/02/2023 07:12

@LoveMyADHD that is what I understand from mums that have done in previous years. Especially in maths, most children from prep have done all the curriculum already so the years is spent doing nothing for them and catching up the children from state if needed.

Oh no, I hope this is not the case. My dd is already frustrated with math at school. She says they keep repeating things already learned (she is in a state school though, so hopefully private will cover something she has not learned - although she might have covered it herself when doing 11+ prep!).

SamPoodle123 · 09/02/2023 07:21

Just curious if any schools ever send emails out first thing (by 8am). Someone mentioned emails being sent by one school previously before 6am. I am just curious if we will wake up to perhaps one email or if we will be waiting and refreshing emails tomorrow and checking portals. LOL.

woohooho · 09/02/2023 07:40

@SamPoodle123

'Oh no, I hope this is not the case. My dd is already frustrated with math at school. She says they keep repeating things already learned (she is in a state school though, so hopefully private will cover something she has not learned - although she might have covered it herself when doing 11+ prep!).'

I was told by more than one head that state school pupils often had a better grounding in the maths basics ( and in English language as well) due to the curriculum being taught ie 'mastering the skills etc'. They probably had done less 'problem solving' as were not being prepared for 11plus at their schools.

In my experience the secondary schools do cover the basics again to begin with as pupils will have been taught how to do things in certain ways and not necessarily the preferred ones ( particularly by tutors).

It's rubbish to say that prep school children do nothing in the first few years of secondary so the state school children can catch up, as some poster said! Latin and French they may be behind but that's about it and they soon catch up.

Rjikks · 09/02/2023 07:57

Good morning. Is anyone waiting for St Georges today?

Lolakath19 · 09/02/2023 08:03

@woohooho i did not say that prep school children do nothing in the first few years of secondary so that state school children can catch up… I said most prep have covered the year 7 curriculum already in maths so they don’t learn anything. SOME state children may not have. When 11+ occurred year 6 prep children have always covered all year 6 curriculum + some year 7. For state children (without tutoring) at that point they will be starting the year 6 curriculum.

woohooho · 09/02/2023 08:15

Lolakath19 · 09/02/2023 08:03

@woohooho i did not say that prep school children do nothing in the first few years of secondary so that state school children can catch up… I said most prep have covered the year 7 curriculum already in maths so they don’t learn anything. SOME state children may not have. When 11+ occurred year 6 prep children have always covered all year 6 curriculum + some year 7. For state children (without tutoring) at that point they will be starting the year 6 curriculum.

To be fair that's exactly what you said even if you didn't mean it...

Especially in maths, most children from prep have done all the curriculum already so the years is spent doing nothing for them and catching up the children from state if needed.

Anyway, I just wanted to reassure others that that isn't the case and that teaching the DCs to pass the 11plus isn't necessarily the same as teaching a good grounding in the basics which is essential for the later years.

Jibberty · 09/02/2023 08:19

woohooho · 09/02/2023 07:40

@SamPoodle123

'Oh no, I hope this is not the case. My dd is already frustrated with math at school. She says they keep repeating things already learned (she is in a state school though, so hopefully private will cover something she has not learned - although she might have covered it herself when doing 11+ prep!).'

I was told by more than one head that state school pupils often had a better grounding in the maths basics ( and in English language as well) due to the curriculum being taught ie 'mastering the skills etc'. They probably had done less 'problem solving' as were not being prepared for 11plus at their schools.

In my experience the secondary schools do cover the basics again to begin with as pupils will have been taught how to do things in certain ways and not necessarily the preferred ones ( particularly by tutors).

It's rubbish to say that prep school children do nothing in the first few years of secondary so the state school children can catch up, as some poster said! Latin and French they may be behind but that's about it and they soon catch up.

Woohoo is spot on. They are not on an even playing field to start with, but no one group (state vs prep) is ahead particularly, rather different strengths and knowledge across the board. It honestly levels by the Christmas holidays as they find their new grooves.

Maths groups are established relatively quickly - after the October half term generally, but these sets are absolutely fluid. My daughter for eg struggles with maths but is not your standard bottom set child. She was told she'd be moving to set 3 (of 6) last year but she has explicitly requested that she stays in the bottom set as she feels more comfortable there, yet now in Y9 she's top sets for all sciences.

GCSEs are nothing like the 11+ race. She's just made her choices, for that is what they are - her choices and not mine, and apart from a discussion with me between two subjects, she's absolutely had the final decision.

Long story short - the 11+ cannot be beaten for the level of angst and stress it causes! I know it sounds so cliched, but your girls/boys will end up at the right school for them and GCSEs will bring nothing near the stress - those on here with older children will (I hope) agree that your 10/11 year old now will be so very different even by the end of Y7, and despite the bad press they sometimes get, most teenagers are bloody lovely and thirsty to learn and do well, so that's what they do.

Lolakath19 · 09/02/2023 08:19

Well I said if needed which does mean that not all need it.. I agree though that it does not mean that prep children are better and when you indeed rush some kids into learning things in advance you may not go in depths and the grounding might not be great..

HawaiiWake · 09/02/2023 08:38

Year 7, we found most coed schools start the 3 sciences with specialist teachers - lots of new topics to learn, plus maybe 2 to 3 new languages and all new co-curricular clubs events. Being bored doesn’t seem to be an option and you get kids being stretched in any subjects in lots of way. The child with high maths skills maybe focusing on those history essays or geography research.

Sass22 · 09/02/2023 08:48

Jags results out! And it’s a no offer for us sadly.

Lolakath19 · 09/02/2023 08:50

Oh so sorry to hear that @Sass22 :(
are you expecting some more tomorrow?

GQ22 · 09/02/2023 08:54

woohooho · 09/02/2023 08:15

To be fair that's exactly what you said even if you didn't mean it...

Especially in maths, most children from prep have done all the curriculum already so the years is spent doing nothing for them and catching up the children from state if needed.

Anyway, I just wanted to reassure others that that isn't the case and that teaching the DCs to pass the 11plus isn't necessarily the same as teaching a good grounding in the basics which is essential for the later years.

Show quote history

Key thing I think is being missed here is that 11+ centres solely on Maths and English (and reasoning for some). But thew HS curriculum does not, you're going from 2 subjects to closer to 13.

That said my DS is in a prep and they have a proper HS timetable in Y6, with dedicated weekly geography, history, drama, music lessons etc, and actual subject teachers. They even do latin...

Sass22 · 09/02/2023 08:55

Yes still waiting for WHS, FH&LU. Still praying for PHS that waitlist will move. Although they waitlisted 7 girls at our school 🤦🏽‍♀️

BrightLight04 · 09/02/2023 09:02

Streatham & Clapham emails are out. We've got an offer Smile

Lolakath19 · 09/02/2023 09:04

@Sass22 just keep reminding them you are here :) call them after half term when they are back and they have received a few responses to reiterate it is your first choice.
when the wl will start to move you ll be the first person they ll think about !
keeping everything cross for you.

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 09/02/2023 09:20

SCHS emails are out.

OP posts:
Rjikks · 09/02/2023 09:32

St George's are posting and no mention of an email. Our post is very unreliable - no idea how long we'll be waiting for a letter!

Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 09/02/2023 09:32

Sass22 · 09/02/2023 08:48

Jags results out! And it’s a no offer for us sadly.

Sorry to hear

OP posts:
Original poster
QuiteAJourney · 09/02/2023 09:33

BrightLight04 · 09/02/2023 09:02

Streatham & Clapham emails are out. We've got an offer Smile

Congrats!

OP posts:
Funbu · 09/02/2023 09:35

It would be an even greater tragedy if the impact on Epsom College is that people do not accept offers that they would otherwise have taken. Ruining a great school that was on the up. Surely that is not what Ms Pattinson would have wanted for a school she was excited to lead. Such a shame.

PreplexJ · 09/02/2023 09:36

SamPoodle123 · 09/02/2023 06:36

I don't just assume, it is in their stats on their website and a family member attends Bute currently, so I know what goes on there. The majority go to SPGS, G&L and LU. And then the others go to Putney, FHSS, Boarding etc. Ranking of schools seems quite important to some. I was advised by one mum if we get a spot at G&L we would be crazy not to take, pointing out the rankings. For me I want to look at the big picture and if my dd will actually fit in, not just the rankings. I am very happy with Putney offer and feel my dd will do well there. I like all the schools we applied to though and my dd favours G&L. If we are lucky enough to get an offer, we will have to go to the holders event to decide for sure. I am quite nervous, as its my dd first choice.

Show quote history

So the majority mums chose a prep with non-competitive academic ethos thinks league table ranking is more important for 11+ than other mums. This is very interesting.

Ami01 · 09/02/2023 09:38

Are St Goerges emailing today? Was expecting Friday 10th for all our schools.

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