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Secondary education

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

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

1000 replies

QuiteAJourney · 09/02/2023 21:11

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!

OP posts:
Lurkingbutinterested · 13/02/2023 15:35

Acceptance went in the post this morning and the school has confirmed receipt of the deposit.

It’s so odd to be done after 18 months of 11plus thinking!

hockeygrass · 13/02/2023 15:37

@notatigermum2020 @ellie2468 , I'm a parent at the end of SHS. There really isn't much difference between SHS and Putney High but you must drill down with SHS re the size of the cohort after the issue of last year having currently over 200 in year 7. The infrastructure is at its limit so there isn't more space in the labs, art room, library for another large cohort if they have got their offer ratio wrong again. If they have got it right and the cohort is smaller than normal then the prep school dd will be more prominent than in the past.
Otherwise go on sports - hockey v lacrosse, and sports locations - Hinchley wood and rowing in teddington at SHS.
I don't think the music is particularly strong at SHS but it means everyone can join a choir etc if they want to.
Best of luck with your decision.

QuiteAJourney · 13/02/2023 15:52

minipie · 13/02/2023 15:18

Hello I’ve been lurking as will be going through this soon with year 5 DD. Just wanted to say hi and thank you as I have found this thread so useful. Especially the comments on journey, they have really helped me get perspective about where is sensible to apply to. Hope everyone’s child is happy with where they end up! Anyway, as you were Grin

Glad that this thread has been of help. There are some people that have followed / participated that will be going through the process next year - hopefully you end up with a nice support community.

OP posts:
eglantine7 · 13/02/2023 16:30

For those of you deciding and looking at school rankings based on GCSE and A levels, please look at results pre 2020 🧐 some schools mentioned seem to have climbed quite considerably in the past few years 😏
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4483332-Grade-inflation-and-leading-independent-schools-in-London-and-beyond

Pyrfwondering · 13/02/2023 16:32

RGS will have an offer holders afternoon before all the acceptances are due. Lots of opportunities to ask your questions.

Since COVID a lot of schools have stepped away from their historic hot-house approach. Good mental health and balance is more of a priority. DS is in Yr9 at RGS and has small amounts of homework, compared to what I expected. He's happy, with a good group of friends... enjoying the music, drama, debating, quizzing and cricket (swapped rugby for cross country running, last term... plays other sports casually). There's no cookie cutter RGS boy... lots of diverse personalities.. lots of extracurricular activities that cover sport and non-sporty interests.

HackettGreen · 13/02/2023 17:10

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the user's request.

kittybloom · 13/02/2023 17:29

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.

@QuiteAJourney I have a DC in Y9 at KGS. We’ve been impressed. Great head. School manages to get the results without feeling pressurised. Teaching has been excellent. They take pastoral care seriously. Some excellent school trips which DC has really enjoyed. DC has a nice group of friends too. General impression is that school manages to balance a professional yet informal friendly vibe.

I would weigh up - how close are you to Ditton Fields? One nice thing about the school is they let everyone have a go at sport teams in the earlier years but of course that does mean on a Saturday you may well be going to Thames Ditton early. There is always a school coach to/from school site to sports site but as a parent you end up doing it sometimes because it is such a long day for DC otherwise. And hockey and football clubs sometimes not at DF. I have had to pick up from Surbiton hockey club on occasion (although again there was a coach back to school, it was just a very long day otherwise).

School location is quite marmite. It really suits my DC as very independent and likes to potter around Kingston with mates afterwards. Would that suit your DC?

My DD has an offer for KGS too. On paper, it makes sense to accept as great school and would mean both siblings at same school. However only 55 girls as small intake and I’ve found some girls to be quite alpha confident (but not arrogant or in a bad way) and feel my DD maybe more likely to find her tribe at Surbiton High. Surbiton is her preference too which counts for a lot.

In summary, KGS has been brilliant for older DC but do you want co-ed, are you happy to go via DF on occasion and is your daughter relatively outgoing? If yes to all of that, I can totally recommend it.

LittleOwl22 · 13/02/2023 17:34

Pyrfwondering · 13/02/2023 16:32

RGS will have an offer holders afternoon before all the acceptances are due. Lots of opportunities to ask your questions.

Since COVID a lot of schools have stepped away from their historic hot-house approach. Good mental health and balance is more of a priority. DS is in Yr9 at RGS and has small amounts of homework, compared to what I expected. He's happy, with a good group of friends... enjoying the music, drama, debating, quizzing and cricket (swapped rugby for cross country running, last term... plays other sports casually). There's no cookie cutter RGS boy... lots of diverse personalities.. lots of extracurricular activities that cover sport and non-sporty interests.

Thank you so much
i have contacted the school regarding offer holder event.
looks like there will be very little between Hampton and RGS in terms of fit actually :)
so transport May be the deciding factor

QuiteAJourney · 13/02/2023 18:21

kittybloom · 13/02/2023 17:29

@QuiteAJourney I have a DC in Y9 at KGS. We’ve been impressed. Great head. School manages to get the results without feeling pressurised. Teaching has been excellent. They take pastoral care seriously. Some excellent school trips which DC has really enjoyed. DC has a nice group of friends too. General impression is that school manages to balance a professional yet informal friendly vibe.

I would weigh up - how close are you to Ditton Fields? One nice thing about the school is they let everyone have a go at sport teams in the earlier years but of course that does mean on a Saturday you may well be going to Thames Ditton early. There is always a school coach to/from school site to sports site but as a parent you end up doing it sometimes because it is such a long day for DC otherwise. And hockey and football clubs sometimes not at DF. I have had to pick up from Surbiton hockey club on occasion (although again there was a coach back to school, it was just a very long day otherwise).

School location is quite marmite. It really suits my DC as very independent and likes to potter around Kingston with mates afterwards. Would that suit your DC?

My DD has an offer for KGS too. On paper, it makes sense to accept as great school and would mean both siblings at same school. However only 55 girls as small intake and I’ve found some girls to be quite alpha confident (but not arrogant or in a bad way) and feel my DD maybe more likely to find her tribe at Surbiton High. Surbiton is her preference too which counts for a lot.

In summary, KGS has been brilliant for older DC but do you want co-ed, are you happy to go via DF on occasion and is your daughter relatively outgoing? If yes to all of that, I can totally recommend it.

This is so useful - many thanks.
DD is indeed quite outgoing (but not pushy or competitive). Not very sporty but quite likes netball and football. She has always been at co-ed schools and KGS is her preferred option. DF is some 8 miles for us and we are flexible work-wise so do-able.
We will be going to the offer holders day next week - she is (and we are!) so excited!

OP posts:
kittybloom · 13/02/2023 18:27

@QuiteAJourney in that case sounds like the perfect school for her! There has been no movement in my son's class (and I think very little in the year group in general) so lots of happy kids. See you at the open day.

UKUSMum · 13/02/2023 20:32

SWLParent · 12/02/2023 21:45

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

Hi - I was waiting to see if anyone is choosing between these two as technically we're not. DD was on WL at G&L and we were clear on LU. We had a problematic experience at G&L on the test day and were quite soured - i.e. I am biased! That said, every parent of a DD at G&L on here has said great things about their and their DD's experience at the school. Maybe they've PM'ed you about the choice you're making, but since I hadn't seen I thought I'd add.

I think the schools are so different it's hard to compare. From my outside perspective, G&L seems to be more of an intentional community with houses and weekly messages (I think they call them 'epistles') from the Head while LU seems to be more of a mini-town with the DC exploring and finding their own communities. I don't think there's a weekly message from the Head though I think there is consistent communication about activities relevant to each DC. I've heard both have had pastoral issues in the past but both have done really well in addressing them.

So beyond co-ed, I think size and feel are really different. My impression from a couple visits to each school is that LU is more diverse from economic, ethnic, international, perspectives etc.. But I have limited knowledge of either place and have not done a systematic demographic study.

I do really like the emphasis LU has on its bursary program - tho I do wonder if the bursaries come with the expectation that the recipients have to 'pay it back' since they seem to have a lot of gratitude videos and posts with the intention of raising more money but I cringe at the idea that the kids may have to perform for their supper. I have no idea how it works but love the fact that they want to broaden access. I think they do quite a lot in the community too but that's from their Instagram feed.

G&L seems to have a lot of talks and highlights on successful women in various disciplines and careers. It may be easier for the girls to get involved in things there as there may not be what might be overwhelming number of choices for the younger years. Again, I'm not sure. I remember LU tour guides saying that they signed up for far too many clubs and had to cut back, but I didn't hear that anywhere else. I also asked them if they went to any of the multiple talks that I saw signs for and they didn't go. That may be the case at other schools but I did feel that may be an issue of size and options at LU. I get the feeling the Head isn't all that engaged in the day-to-day while from what I understand the G&L head is quite hands on. I assume it's how the schools are run rather than expecting this to shift with the new head at LU, but we'll see.

Academically I think they're quite similar. G&L tends to perform better on the tests but LU tends to have better university entrance...maybe?? I can't remember where I got that impression though so take it with a pinch of salt!

As others have said, go with your gut. Where do you and your DD feel would be best for her? I'm sure she'll do very well at either place so it's really down to what you think is best fit. I think we're strongly influence by having spent a couple decades in the US and seeing friends' kids go to huge schools and come out having had so many opportunities and found their niches.

I'd love for other people to weigh in if you're still asking!

Gumps · 13/02/2023 20:48

LittleOwl22 · 13/02/2023 09:31

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

I have two DS at Hampton. Both are big into their rugby and one is at a premiership academy. Rugby at Hampton is very strong. It does get a slightly lower profile within the school as the DOS is a footballer but the teams compete at the top level.

Sunandstars123 · 13/02/2023 20:49

We have difficulty to choose between Kings and LU. Both awarded DS with academic scholarship and LU was very generous. The problem is DS set his heart on KCL few years ago and 11+ motivation was for getting in there. Our family circumstances recently changed and moving to Wimbledon would be a huge stretch. We are struggling to make a decision if the effort is worth, when we have an option with great LU, comfortable life and an easy commute there. Though, uncertainty about school's plan for GCSEs is really worrying me. How far would you go to make it happen for your children? And what is LU parents insight on GCSEs reform?

MomFromSE · 13/02/2023 21:02

A comfortable life and a short commute is worth a lot. In the end, you need to do what's best for the family. Is your son against LU? If you think the school would suit him socially then I would go for LU.

woohooho · 13/02/2023 21:12

Keep reading about LUs GCSE's reforms! DS is there and has just chosen his GCSE options. Nothing has ever been mentioned other than them ( and my other DCs school) saying in an ideal world there would be no GCSEs.

AC7001 · 13/02/2023 21:30

SamPoodle123 · 13/02/2023 14:09

Do you think being strong in sports helps in standing out?

I think sports or other extracurricular activities are not important for most schools we applied to, except this one. It does not need to be sports, it can be music or other stuff. Just that some schools try to maintain a certain mix in the cohort which is quite different from those making the cut-off in marks. Here, other attributes play an important part.

This may also explain why St Paul, though more famous than King's, has academic results about the same as King's. Looking from the positive side, if your DS (for future parents) has something special to offer, and you guess his marks may only be marginal, he can still try St Paul.

UKUSMum · 13/02/2023 21:41

woohooho · 13/02/2023 21:12

Keep reading about LUs GCSE's reforms! DS is there and has just chosen his GCSE options. Nothing has ever been mentioned other than them ( and my other DCs school) saying in an ideal world there would be no GCSEs.

I recently spoke to a parent in Y6 at the Latymer prep and apparently they went to a meeting about it. Seems like it's a remote possibility but this parent thinks it's extremely unlikely they'd not have let 11+ applicants know if it was a real possibility. Met someone else over the weekend with a current y7 DC who also had never heard about it and thought I was quite mad.
I am sure, however, that if by some miracle GCSEs do go before our DC are at that point, LU (and other schools?) will have sorted out in the best interests of the DC's education and future options. I may have spent too much time out of this country but I'm more concerned that the GCSEs will still be there than that they won't be.
Honestly though, I'm just glad to have survived the 11+ and 6th form for my older DC. Phew!

woohooho · 13/02/2023 21:48

It's something a big group of schools are working towards but doesn't mean individual schools will suddenly scrap them

www.tes.com/magazine/archive/state-and-private-schools-movement-scrap-gcses

Sunandstars123 · 13/02/2023 22:13

Your thoughts and insights on the topic are very appreciated, thank you!

alltheleaves · 13/02/2023 22:39

Mumyofthree · 13/02/2023 13:51

@HawaiiWake Thanks a lot, very useful information especially regaining extra sport training at Emanuel. It is such a difficult decision and having comments from people with direct experience with the school is great.

Hi, I have DDs at Emanuel and DS just got accepted for 10+.
For sports, because it's a coed school there's much more chance of getting on teams and everyone who wants to (as in everyone who goes to the training sessions) will definitely compete. They have core sports (girls - netball, hockey, cricket; boys - rugby, football, cricket) but also do swimming, water polo, badminton, gymnastics, fives, basketball and others I suspect I've forgotten in PE lessons.
For music there's usually the opportunity to play in a concert as a soloist term, and as part of ensembles once a term each - think I went to 4 concerts last term!
Drama there's a yr 7 and yr 8 play every year. Always a musical and always a middle or upper school play. Plus some go to the Edinburgh festival.
Lots more trips now that Covid is no longer preventing it, especially to the theatre (the drama department is really good at organising this), and lots of classics trips. Sports tours also being organised now.
Academically it's definitely on the up, parents with kids in upper and lower school are definitely saying higher standards expected of their younger ones compared to what their older ones had.
In the past it was definitely thought of as a local independent and it attracts from further afield now but I think most are still SW London.
We've found pastoral care excellent. Not every teacher is perfect I like the pastoral system in place and it's really worked for us when we needed it.

Think that covers most things hopefully!

LittleOwl22 · 14/02/2023 02:53

Thank you @Gumps :)

Magnoliasunrise · 14/02/2023 07:00

Thanks @UKUSMum for your useful thoughts on LU v G&L. I originally (secretly) had G&L as my favourite probably based on the pastoral care and the high academic results. It isn't a decision we had to make as we didn't get an offer at G&L. My DD quite surprised me by saying if we had got an offer from G&L I would still probably have preferred LU.
Now we don't have to have that argument I am quite relieved. I asked her what she had preferred about LU and she said on the open day she had a really good feel about the place and the teachers and pupils were really friendly. That kind of cemented it for me.
Also league table wise - the schools that are incredibly selective and I imagine are taking kids that got 90%+ in the 11+ exams should really expect to be getting those sorts of results at GCSE, in fact the best teaching is probably at the state schools in areas with poor attendance/less parental guidance/less English as a first language etc. that are managing to get the kids a few GCSE's against the odds.
In the end our decision may just come down to the best journey time and how my DD feels about the school (best brownies included!) so my spreadsheets may have to go in the bin!!
Lastly re the GCSE's - any changes won't be for years and years and once one school does it the rest will follow so I'm not sure that can be any sort of influencing factor.

MomFromSE · 14/02/2023 07:01

@AC7001 there are a number of schools that take extracurricular achievements into account when selecting their cohort once the students have met the academic standard via the exam process. They are looking for their music, art, sports scholars etc to create a more vibrant school community.

You seem to be saying St Paul’s told you they are doing this as well as intentionally limiting how many Asian students they admit. I can’t believe they would actually admit that to anyone so is that just your gut feeling for why you child didn’t get in? I’m not saying you’re wrong but I’d be shocked if they were openly saying this to parents.

SWLParent · 14/02/2023 08:34

Thank you @UKUSMum, that's helpful!

SamPoodle123 · 14/02/2023 08:52

@Magnoliasunrise which schools are you looking at? I know you mention G&L and LU in your post, what are the others? We are going to the offer events next week and I am hoping it will help us make the final decision.

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