Page 22 | SW London Private and Grammar - applying for Year 7 in 2023 (Part VI)

LittleOwl22 · 12/02/2023 20:06

@Tolacar
thank you - great to read your DS is thriving at Hampton. the support framework sounds great, as well as the clubs at lunchtime.
i like the fact that boys seem down to earth too
really helpful 😊

SWLParent · 12/02/2023 21:45

Does anyone have any advice on choosing between G&L and LU, beyond the co-ed factor?

momomamiko · 12/02/2023 22:18

Any parents able to advise on LU vs KCS? We are closer to LU and ideally prefer coed but would love to hear insights beyond these two from former/current parents if any please?

FlyingPandas · 12/02/2023 22:57

LittleOwl22 · 12/02/2023 15:29

Anyone on here weighing up between RGS and Hampton at 13?
I am aware that we are in a very lucky position to be in ( and have released the two back ups)

Transport is similar (bus vs bike and train), results are much of a muchness.

I am worried about hothousing and balance with “fun”/ extracurricular offers as well as how much sport there is. Any experience on here with elder siblings?

my DS has a slight preference for Hampton on an unspecified basis (the brownies were better) 🤔

cheers

I have a Y8 DS at Hampton @LittleOwl22, our choice was also between RGS and Hampton (offers at both) although for 11+ not 13+. DS is really happy there, it is a lovely school. Fantastic facilities and yes the academic pace is fast but plenty of support on offer as well. Loads of extra curricular choice. The biggest compliment I can give is that it feels really down to earth and friendly (teachers, boys, parents). Our DC have all done state primary rather than prep, so venturing into private for secondary can feel a bit daunting, but Hampton feels very comfortable and welcoming.

As others have said journey/distance was a key factor in the choice - Hampton is an easy school bus ride; RGS would have been a more convoluted bus ride, then train ride, then walk from the station. Whilst I know lots of boys love the train journey, and Guildford certainly offers more opportunities for hanging out after school as they get older, the ease of journey to Hampton won out.

Also bear in mind - RGS is very much a rugby playing school, Hampton does offer rugby but is more of a football school. Does your DS have a preference? My DS definitely veered towards Hampton based on a number of factors but football over rugby was definitely one of them!

SamPoodle123 · 13/02/2023 07:45

BrightLight04 · 12/02/2023 18:06

Any thoughts on PHS vs Emanuel? I like the co-ed thing in Emanuel but on the other hand my DD is from girls' only prep so used to single sex. PHS is easier for us to get to. Leaving above aside, how do they differ academically, pastoral care etc? TIA

Does your dd have a preference? How much easier is PHS to get to? Is she sporty? PHS is very sporty (2nd in the country), so could be a plus if your dd is sporty. I really like both schools. Hard decision to make.

SamPoodle123 · 13/02/2023 07:47

Forgot to add that Emanuel is higher up in the rankings. I am not sure if that makes much a difference. Some people look at the rankings and others don't.

underthesea3 · 13/02/2023 08:20

Does anyone have any advice for KCS v Hampton. The journey is much for much to both. We are fairly set on one of them, but would love some informed views! Thanks so much.

Firenze12 · 13/02/2023 08:22

I think rankings are worth looking at, as one aspect in the decision making process. If one school was say 90th and one school 10th, that would be a factor for me. It doesn't mean I would choose the school ranked 10th, it would just help me gauge where my daughter would sit in the cohort. My younger DD will definitely need to be near the top of her cohort when the time comes. Whereas I think my DD who has just done the 11+ is less fussed.

However, the ranking difference between Putney and Emmanuel is very minimal. I don't think you can read too much into it.

BrightLight04 · 13/02/2023 08:57

@SamPoodle123 much easier: either I will be driving her at the beginning for 20min ish or there is a public transport (bus) going from our house all the way to the school. Emanuel is the train journey or again me driving 25min or so.
And no, she's not sporty but likes being out and do stuff.
I look at the rankings and saw Emanuel being slightly higher and that's what make me thinking too. Also, I forgot to mention somehow that Emanuel is a WL and PHS is a firm offer. Leaning towards PHS because of that.

adhw · 13/02/2023 09:10

goMN · 11/02/2023 22:07

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

@goMN Hi.. by any chance did you figure out..
We are in the same boat.. we have CLSG and a couple of scholarship offers too , hence would like to ideally wait until offer holders day but don't want to lose out on exploding offer if there is one as its not explicit from offer letter.

SamPoodle123 · 13/02/2023 09:13

Firenze12 · 13/02/2023 08:22

I think rankings are worth looking at, as one aspect in the decision making process. If one school was say 90th and one school 10th, that would be a factor for me. It doesn't mean I would choose the school ranked 10th, it would just help me gauge where my daughter would sit in the cohort. My younger DD will definitely need to be near the top of her cohort when the time comes. Whereas I think my DD who has just done the 11+ is less fussed.

However, the ranking difference between Putney and Emmanuel is very minimal. I don't think you can read too much into it.

I just checked and Emanuel is 54 and Putney 65 according to the Times. So not a huge difference.

@Firenze12 would you ask the school where in the cohort does your dd sit? I was debating that myself, but then decided not to do it.

SamPoodle123 · 13/02/2023 09:17

BrightLight04 · 13/02/2023 08:57

@SamPoodle123 much easier: either I will be driving her at the beginning for 20min ish or there is a public transport (bus) going from our house all the way to the school. Emanuel is the train journey or again me driving 25min or so.
And no, she's not sporty but likes being out and do stuff.
I look at the rankings and saw Emanuel being slightly higher and that's what make me thinking too. Also, I forgot to mention somehow that Emanuel is a WL and PHS is a firm offer. Leaning towards PHS because of that.

Ah yea, your decision might be made then. However, there will be movement for Emanuel WL I think. So it is a good idea to consider both as you are doing in case you get a spot. If you and your dd like both the same, I would go by which is easier to get to. Another thing to consider that I read somewhere is that because Emanuel is so convenient to get to via public transport, it will most likely having a lot more kids coming for all over (might make it more difficult to meet up with friends). Whereas, I think Putney might have more local dc. I could be wrong on this, I am just thinking of the impression I got.

SamPoodle123 · 13/02/2023 09:21

adhw · 13/02/2023 09:10

@goMN Hi.. by any chance did you figure out..
We are in the same boat.. we have CLSG and a couple of scholarship offers too , hence would like to ideally wait until offer holders day but don't want to lose out on exploding offer if there is one as its not explicit from offer letter.

Show quote history

I spoke about this during interview day with PHS and the teacher said that CLSG got a lot of bad press for this and any school considering this would make this clear in their offer letter. Was it just the one year they did it? I got freaked out when I read about it. As, the dc went through the difficult process and long wait to find out about if they got into the school, they should be given the timeframe suggested to decide if they need to or exploding offers should be made clear from the offer letter.

LittleOwl22 · 13/02/2023 09:31

FlyingPandas · 12/02/2023 22:57

I have a Y8 DS at Hampton @LittleOwl22, our choice was also between RGS and Hampton (offers at both) although for 11+ not 13+. DS is really happy there, it is a lovely school. Fantastic facilities and yes the academic pace is fast but plenty of support on offer as well. Loads of extra curricular choice. The biggest compliment I can give is that it feels really down to earth and friendly (teachers, boys, parents). Our DC have all done state primary rather than prep, so venturing into private for secondary can feel a bit daunting, but Hampton feels very comfortable and welcoming.

As others have said journey/distance was a key factor in the choice - Hampton is an easy school bus ride; RGS would have been a more convoluted bus ride, then train ride, then walk from the station. Whilst I know lots of boys love the train journey, and Guildford certainly offers more opportunities for hanging out after school as they get older, the ease of journey to Hampton won out.

Also bear in mind - RGS is very much a rugby playing school, Hampton does offer rugby but is more of a football school. Does your DS have a preference? My DS definitely veered towards Hampton based on a number of factors but football over rugby was definitely one of them!

Show quote history

Thank you @FlyingPandas
DS is more into rugby … so that might tilt the balance, provided I get comfortable on the hothousing element
i wish RGS would hold an offer holder event

adhw · 13/02/2023 09:34

thanks @SamPoodle123 .. From the few threads in mumsnet , it was 2018 and the year before. we tried calling the the school direct before the offer day about exploding offers and they said "certainly you have not heard in the school grounds" . In the offer letter , there is no explicit mention either, but worry if I have missed out anything .. Hence trying to clarify from parents considering CLSG.

SamPoodle123 · 13/02/2023 09:37

adhw · 13/02/2023 09:34

thanks @SamPoodle123 .. From the few threads in mumsnet , it was 2018 and the year before. we tried calling the the school direct before the offer day about exploding offers and they said "certainly you have not heard in the school grounds" . In the offer letter , there is no explicit mention either, but worry if I have missed out anything .. Hence trying to clarify from parents considering CLSG.

So when you called the school they were not direct with you in regard to exploding offers? I understand your concern. If I were in your position, I would want clarification as well. Is it your first choice?

woohooho · 13/02/2023 10:02

momomamiko · 12/02/2023 22:18

Any parents able to advise on LU vs KCS? We are closer to LU and ideally prefer coed but would love to hear insights beyond these two from former/current parents if any please?

I have a DS at LU and limited experience of KCS via a relative. Fell free to PM me! Very happy with LU.

Mumyofthree · 13/02/2023 10:05

Just wanted to thank all of you for the information provided regarding schools. It is our first time doing 11+ and navigating among all the school info has been made much easier by your comments.

My DD has an offer from Emanuel ( and also from mocre academic schools) and looking at its ranking over the recent years, it seems the school is doing an extremely good job with ambitious goals ahead. Does anyone knows more about its strategy and future projects?

HawaiiWake · 13/02/2023 10:06

@BrightLight04 , I have PM you. All the best and congrats.

Original poster

QuiteAJourney · 13/02/2023 10:06

Anyone here with direct recent experience of KGS and WHS? Both very strong contenders for us (we also still have Emanuel and IPS still in the mix) and have booked offer holder events, but would be great to have some intel from current parents.

OP posts:

Ernern · 13/02/2023 10:08

WimMum2015 · 12/02/2023 15:13

@Ernern (and any other parents considering Tiffin Girls) - if you have thoughts on Tiffin vs G&L/LEH which you wouldn't mind sharing - that would be great.

@WimMum2015 I would struggle to decide if my daughter secures Tiffin Girls!!!

woohooho · 13/02/2023 10:14

QuiteAJourney · 13/02/2023 10:06

Anyone here with direct recent experience of KGS and WHS? Both very strong contenders for us (we also still have Emanuel and IPS still in the mix) and have booked offer holder events, but would be great to have some intel from current parents.

DD very happy at WHS. I know someone with DC at both and she says broadly similar in terms of types of families, both town centre locations etc.
Playing fields further away at KGS and obviously the Coed/single sex issue.
Feel free to PM if have any specific questions about WHS

winetime123 · 13/02/2023 10:17

Hi there, I have very good friends with girls at each of these schools. I'm guessing a large part of the decision comes down to co-ed vs single sex. If it was my choice I would go for KGS. They seem to have the edge on academics but also more inclusive in sports with a chance for everyone to play. My friend at WH recently mentioned that it seems like only best players get to contend there. Also KGS send kids all over the place on Subject excursions and sports trips overseas. Lots of travel opportunities if that's your dad's thing. But both great schools!

winetime123 · 13/02/2023 10:18

Dd's not dad's 🤣

Trickleg · 13/02/2023 10:21

@Mumyofthree Emanuel have big plans to redevelop their sports ground (planning permission received, happening this year I think) and build a massive new block to the left of the main school as you look at it. Plans are on the website. The sports ground thing particularly relevant if you have a DD - will include a hockey astro