SW London Private and Grammar - applying for Year 7 in 2023 (Part VI)

[QuiteAJourney]

Following from our previous thread (link below)

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4731973-sw-london-private-and-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023-part-v?page=40&reply=123775541

Looking forward to continuing the journey together!

@EweCee , just a few thoughts re SHS, my dd is about to leave:
Rowing - excellent sport, everyone starts together in year 8, based in teddington.
Sixth form - excellent, 7 to Oxbridge this year
Teaching - very thorough
Cohort - you are lucky to be in such a small cohort if they stick at 120, much more chance of being in a sports team or school play.
Music - music is ok, the good thing is everyone has a go as it's not selective
Super fashion/arts show, school
Musical held in Wimbledon theatre
Location - great, they can get around easily and nip in to Kingston after school.

It is large and I know dd who have moved from SHS to CFC for various reasons but your dd will be in the smallest cohort for many years so should benefit. Do think about the 6th form as CFC is still finding its feet and looses a considerable number to Esher college each year.

@Asham I think CFC is certainly on the up. I don’t know IP but CFC has great pastoral care and has become increasingly selective academically. Reed’s is a lovely school, more broad in its selection to ensure some diversity within its community (academic, sprts, arts etc).

Good luck with the decision making.

@NewNoo23 i thought Surbiton was girls only in the secondary school?

@EweCee we had same choice for similar sounding DD with scholarships (but academic not art). I don’t have personal experience of the schools apart from visits but felt Surbiton would be a bit more academically challenging. For us it also helped in our decision that the £scholarship was sizeably larger tbh 😆

@NewNoo23 Got it! Very best of luck to him - we’ve got a sensitive one too.

@sailingsunshine have Surbiton said that they are capping intake at 120? Would be nice to have a smaller year group.

It's in a thread called "Senior school recommendations Surrey" from a current parent who spoke to Admissions.

I was surprised as it's 40 less than a normal year but also can't believe the current year 7 is over 200! No wonder they have had to extend the year 7 lunch break - the dining room is tiny . Potential SHS parents do note that most dd have packed lunch from year 9 and eat it in the classroom but it does mean 1 less charge on the fees.

Thanks for the intel @sailingsunshine 🙂

Just be aware that Surbiton said all this last year. I was also on the thread the year that my eldest was in y5 and they said it then too. We were told 140 max, they were over their limit and could t fit more in, definitely not a bulge year…then over 200! I was so glad we went a different route for DD as she’s the sort who would definitely get lost as a previous poster has said. I feel sometimes they are saying that to get the sign ups to a ‘smaller’ year, but then go larger!

@mootwo so you’ve chosen/ are choosing Surbiton? You’re right, the scholarship is a little more but trying not to let that sway me 😁

@NewNoo23 i worry my dd would ‘coast’ academically and creatively at CFC yet would be pushed at Surbiton, but not sure if pushed too much! I think she would thrive at CFC but would find it easier and therefore coast a little.

@sailingsunshine thats for that comprehensive breakdown! I had heard of children leaving due to pastoral to go to CFC which concerns me a little. But know it happens at all schools and is largely dependent on the cohort at the time. Having had experience of moving schools already due to bullying, we know we would do it again if we had to but also feel DD is a lot more resilient now and would find her niche in secondary. And I also think the smaller cohort (same size as CFC just all girls) will help?

@Redapples81 thank you for your thoughts. Logistics are definitely key for me personally but I’m trying to be balanced for my dd’s sake (although pointing out the benefit of being closer to home 😂)

Yes we’ve chosen Surbiton and reluctantly released CFC. I know results tables aren’t the be all and end all but they were an influencer for us as well. Having not got through KGS first round and waitlisted for LEH (and still wishing on a star for Tiffin 😁) it seemed like the best fit for our DD.

Don't forget to be kind, people. There is some snipiness beginning to creep in and we wouldn't want our DC to experience this amongst their peers so we should refrain from it ourselves.

In the same vein, it's not kind to hang on to offers when you have no intention of taking them. If you seriously think you might entertain the offer then that's fine but if you really know you don't want it then for goodness sake release it. Imagine there were 15 tickets to twickenham and names were picked but your DC didn't get one. Surely you would want the kid who knows he is going to his auntie's wedding on that day to let the teachers know he can't go so your DC would get a chance of getting that ticket?

@Asham where do you live? Those 2 schools are quite far apart so I’d take journey time into account.

Re Surbiton numbers, I got the impression from admissions they are aiming for standard form entry (7 forms?) rather than reduced entry. I’d love to be proved wrong though as we are seriously considering Surbiton (deciding between there and KGS) and would prefer fewer forms.

@Ernern we are also trying to choose between LEH and G&L. LEH makes more sense from a commute perspective as the coach is available. What were your reasons to choose G&L over LEH please?
Assuming from your post that you will choose Tiffin Girls over G&L if that comes through?

I have 2 DC at IPS, and we are very happy. The new head (not so new - 2 and a bit years now) is fabulous and really trying to change the school. The teaching is v good and my DC have great relationships with teachers. Sport, drama, music and other activities are inclusive and because it is less ‘alpha’ than other SW schools it really feels like they can take part in all the things they want to.
feel free to PM me if you’d like more specifics.

@Asham ^ this reply is for you, I am too tech-challenged and can’t seem to reply to your earlier post

@Schoolgate225 We have an offer from IPS and are considering. I have sent you a pm -hope you do not mind.

Anxious mama here. Any parents here whose kid got into G&L through wait list? And how big is their wait list? Do they place all second round students on either wait list or give them offers?

Hello, does anyone have a Radnor (Kneller Hall) place they are likely to give up?

Hi all, does anyone know if Clsg offers are exploding offers this year? I know it's silly of me to ask as the offer letter doesn't say anything to suggest it but want to be sure. Thanks xx

We declined a Kneller Hall offer this evening. And we know of a few friends who are planning to do the same.