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!

I very much doubt they would have say something like this! (limiting the amount of Asian students). But I get them wanting to have a variety of students with different things to offer. It makes sense to make sure to include some sporty kids, otherwise, what is the point of all their sports fields etc. I think all schools must look at the right balance of sporty, musical etc kids. My dd was asked about hobbies at all her interviews. This was also a way for the school I guess to sell themselves, saying they had these sports/clubs etc and to get an idea of the dc.

I have started a thread for movement on waiting lists - please join if you are in the same boat.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4742485-sw-london-private-and-grammar-schools-waiting-lists-y7-2023-entry

@alltheleaves Thank you so much for all these information regarding Emanuel, I am relieved to know that they are focusing attention on both academics and extracurricular activities. We are deciding among ES and more academic schools and knowing that Emanuel is working hard on academics (and parents seems to be all very happy) as well as pastoral care it is such a plus. We will attend the offer holder events and hopefully have a better idea. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Speaking of offer holder events- has anyone had the invite for the Emanuel one yet?

@Pigeon25 I have been told we will receive an email this week in order to book it.

@Pigeon25 @Mumyofthree I find quite surprising that Emanuel, who have been wonderful throughout the selection process, have not sent anything so far. We have already booked for the other schools that are in our shortlist and, mercifully, have no clashes so far. But early engagement definitely helps to keep a school in the frame.

On Emanuel school website it says Key dates for 11+ 2023 entry - Monday 20th – Friday 24th February 2023: Offer holder events.
Hopefully no clash for you.

My thoughts exactly! All the other schools we are looking at have sent dates and an overview of what they’re going to be doing….

Indeed. Even from a practical viewpoint, by the time they come up with slots there may be clashes (some of them could have been avoided as some schools were offering different times / dates). Also, from an emotional point of view, the DC get naturally excited with the plans for offer holders day .. Emanuel going silent (when they were so good at keeping in touch) is a bit strange.
What is your current thinking? I seem to recall your DD had also JAGS and Epsom.

Yes, I agree. Emanuel should be keeping in touch. It is interesting how the different schools work. Emanuel had a really good approach to the admissions process. I was really impressed with the little details, such as a Christmas card and the handwritten card sent with the offer letter. It was a nice personal touch. I think they are meant to send more info at the start of this week about their holder events. Like others have said, they seem to be last of the schools sending out. But perhaps they have a few days for the holder events, which means they will be more flexible and accommodating. Perhaps they do this, so the candidates now when the other offer events are and can select the date that does not clash instead of the other way around, having to go back and ask for different dates bc it suddenly clashes?

@SamPoodle123 if they are planning to do at the start of this week, they'd better hurry up (given it is already Tuesday pm) 😉
We have had 2 schools giving us options (KGS has a single slot) - in my experience, it is easier to make things compatible when you have both sets of dates and times in front of you, rather than when one comes after all the other slots need to be booked. Also, quite a few parents will need to make those slots compatible with their work commitments, advance notice is particularly valuable in that context.
Do not get me wrong, I still think that Emanuel has been, otherwise, great in terms of admissions - hence my comment that it is quite surprising!

@QuiteAJourney lol. Yes, I was thinking Emanuel might be sending these emails as I am typing, since it is Tuesday after all and getting close to end of day. It would have been much better to send the dates early on. I was told that schools try to collaborate and not do the same dates. Of course, they cannot do with all, but it seems they do try. So far all our dates work and we are just waiting for Emanuel.

And just as we were debating, Emanuel must have been preparing the emails, as we just got ours 15 mins ago :) I hope everyone gets the slot they want.

I have to say Emanuel have been amazing in the process even though we were applying from abroad.

It's a stark contrast to the other school who seems to have ghosted us (we paid to register 3 children, one of whom sat 11+).
And that school seems to have done a good job with UK based applicants yet we still haven't heard a peep from them after going through exam and an interview

Just received the email from Emanuel with 3 optional days to book. I personally believe they have managed the process extremely well.

Good memory! We turned down Epsom and SCHS, and are considering JAGS and Emanuel plus WL for WHS. I’m completely torn between Jags and Emanuel- especially as DD desperate to go to Emanuel (we live so close, already has friends there, coed) but hubby much keener on JAGS. It’s a tricky one! Have you got a similar cohort of choices? I seem to remember your DC did extremely well!
I was hoping the Emanuel day might be more interactive for the kids- the SCHS one for example sounds really fun, but it seems to just be another tour….

Have you tried checking junk mail just in case or calling the other school? Have others already heard back their results? If yes, I would def chase to find out. One of our emails from one school my dd applied to went to junk a few times.

Yes we chased them multiple times. They interviewed DC day after they have sent offers to everyone in the UK. And then went silent. It's fair to say I wouldn't be minded to send my DCs to the school based on our experience. Sadly. It was my DS's number one at some point but he has been disappointed

We are still undecided. KGS is our front runner probably followed by WHS, then Emanuel and IPS. We have rejected the other offers already and aim to make a decision by 26th/27th Feb, after speaking with my DD's prep and visiting the schools.

I have exactly the same feeling that you have re: Emanuel's event. Quite surprising that they are framing it as another tour (with the DC presence being optional) when the other schools are doing quite DC-centric events and, in some cases, tailoring to the specific interests of the child - imho, that seems the right thing to do as quite a few families (us included) will be giving the DC the casting vote.

I was indeed aware of that, which happened to be the same week considered by all other schools.
The emails are now out. Actually of the 4 slots offered, 3 were clashes with other events but very lucky to be able to make one. Hopefully all families have been able to find suitable slots.

Strange they only interviewed him after sending offers? Is it because you are abroad or did your application start late? It does not make sense. But that being said, it took a few weeks for schools to make decisions after interviews have been made. Perhaps they have a few other international candidates as well and need some time? I agree, it does not look good on the school to go silent. They should at least be clear on what is the delay.

To be fair, he was supposed to be interviewed the same week as everyone. His current school missed the interview (silly mistake) but after that, they have been unable to find 15 minutes to interview him, until after the offers were made. I suspect he got left out of the process. It's their loss but my son was waiting for the outcome of any sort at least

Do they do offer events for those who receive offers after waiting lists have moved?

They don't tend to. If you ask you may be able to look round but bet just to accept it as they just want to fill the space! We had a couple of days to accept a WL place but that was because we got offered it before the acceptance deadline for all offers.

Hi all it has been a few days of brainstorming on our hand and I would like to ask a few questions for previous /prospective parents of SPGS. I have had a chat with some parents with girls there and some of the stories make me doubt our decision a little bit. We are quite a "strict" family and when I heard about girls coming with piercing (although not in Y7), some girls being high at 8.00 when they arrived at school, I am not sure I want to send my DD I would appreciate to see if those were "exceptional" and not the norm. Or is it like this in every top private school now? For parents with DD there, would you say the school really brings something different and what more than G&L or HB for example or or do you think your daughter would have done as well elsewhere?
My other worries is around 6th form, I have heard (again from parents from school, I appreciate it might not be everyone's pov) that some girls are being asked to leave if they want to chose a subject where their prediction of grades is not A/A*. Again is that true? and if yes is that true in all other London top private? Does anyone have an idea of movement at 6th form? It looks like the number of candidates at A level are lower than at GCSE? I know some people comes from elsewhere at that point (HB and so on). Are some girls moving to coed at that point? do you have a sense of how many? sorry for all the questions.