Page 31 | SW London Private and Grammar - applying for Year 7 in 2023 (Part VI)

SamPoodle123 · 23/02/2023 19:37

@Vista123 Congratulations to your dd as well! Wishing you all the best! And hope you feel confident on your final decision after the last holder event. It is hard when deciding between schools you really like!

KPA · 23/02/2023 19:48

Which schools did you release?

bjmin · 23/02/2023 19:51

Did anyone enjoy the SPGS event today?

adhw · 23/02/2023 20:17

Good luck to all parents and children who have been through this journey and have now chosen their respective schools , this forum has helped me so much in the last month or so !!

BruceFoxton · 23/02/2023 20:57

Workhar · 15/02/2023 08:40

On a related topic, can KCS & G&L parents confirm if only the super bright are allowed to study IB in 6th form? Or is it a free choice?

Not sure if you got an answer here but at G&L the IB is open to any sixth former. It’s not academically more challenging but there are more directed hours. A level has more private study time so more homework per subject.

Workhar · 23/02/2023 21:22

BruceFoxton · 23/02/2023 20:57

Not sure if you got an answer here but at G&L the IB is open to any sixth former. It’s not academically more challenging but there are more directed hours. A level has more private study time so more homework per subject.

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Thanks for the clarification

UKMum2021 · 23/02/2023 21:37

dimathur · 18/02/2023 10:16

That’s precisely my concern. We were very impressed with the current LEH Head and were gutted to find that she is leaving. Also her leaving St John’s without a new opportunity doesn’t seem right.

I have the same uncomfortable feeling with the new head.

UKMum2021 · 23/02/2023 21:47

Parent123456 · 15/02/2023 12:15

I don t feel the ethos will necessarily clash. I think it is a big step up for any DD between primary and secondary anyway and our daughters will need to find themselves. The other schools we are looking at are G&L, LU, and HB (if successful). I feel that the step up in terms of school culture for G&L and HB will be less as they seem more traditional. The change to LU (with coed education and a more diverse population) will be probably as big as SPGS in my mind.
I am also conscious that although probably very academic my daughter will be with girls that will be as bright or even brighter than her. and it is difficult to predict how she will react to that, will it motivates her or will it lower her confidence? is being in a less academic school then brings more opportunities and better self esteem? I maybe just a weirdo and thinking too much about it .. if I am the only one asking myself those questions.

For some kids, it is indeed better to be a big fish in a small pond. Some people may just lose confidence by being a small fish in a big pond and never be able to step up.

SamPoodle123 · 23/02/2023 21:58

BruceFoxton · 23/02/2023 20:57

Not sure if you got an answer here but at G&L the IB is open to any sixth former. It’s not academically more challenging but there are more directed hours. A level has more private study time so more homework per subject.

Show quote history

@Workhar the head mentioned at the holder event they allow the girls to decide whether they want to do IB or A levels.

SamPoodle123 · 23/02/2023 21:59

KPA · 23/02/2023 19:48

Which schools did you release?

Not sure if this was meant for me? But we released Putney, Emanuel and FHSS.

1forward2back · 23/02/2023 22:14

@Vista123 are you choosing between Wimbledon and Putney? A few friend have the same dilemma!

Ernern · 23/02/2023 22:29

Went to G&L holder session today and felt really good about it. I love that G&L is unpretentious, down to earth and low profile. It suits my girl who is less of a high-powered and dominant type. There was little mentioning of academic but lots on pastoral care and supporting the transition of year 7.
We will decide between G&L and Tiffin (if my daughter is lucky enough to secure the offer). Hope everyone is soon making a decision and ready to embark upon a new journey.

PreplexJ · 23/02/2023 22:51

bjmin · 23/02/2023 19:51

Did anyone enjoy the SPGS event today?

The event went OK and down to earth. Met an interesting mixed of prospective parents.

Think it is a school that inevitably evolving to the mainstream direction in a good way.

That said it is not the school for us and we will release our place in due course.

Firenze12 · 24/02/2023 06:54

@PreplexJ which school are you choosing?

SamPoodle123 · 24/02/2023 08:05

Firenze12 · 24/02/2023 06:54

@PreplexJ which school are you choosing?

Yes, @PreplexJ which school are you choosing and why did you decide SPGS was not for you?

NellyCortado · 24/02/2023 10:04

@SamPoodle123 - great news!

We decided on KCS for DS. We deliberated for a good few days, but the offer event clinched it for us. Remaining offers released and are hopefully on their way to other DCs.

Hope the offer events, decision-making and waiting etc is going ok for everyone. For those waiting, I know it is torture but hopefully there will be positive developments for you all next week

I've mentioned before, but if anyone is weighing up an WHS offer and has any questions, feel free to PM me.

Daydreamscometrue · 24/02/2023 10:31

We just released Emanuel.

underthesea3 · 24/02/2023 10:35

We have released KGS and KCS. Best of luck to all. I know of a few releasing KGS, so if people are on waitlists-hold tight!

UKUSMum · 24/02/2023 11:12

@PreplexJ we made the same decision re SPSG.

SamPoodle123 · 24/02/2023 11:27

@NellyCortado Thanks! Glad it all worked out for you as well :)

SamPoodle123 · 24/02/2023 11:29

UKUSMum · 24/02/2023 11:12

@PreplexJ we made the same decision re SPSG.

Where did you decide on @UKUSMum ? What made you decide SPGS was not for you? I was under the impression most accept it if they get an offer (we did not apply and never looked at the school). It is just me being curious.

ChiefRoady · 24/02/2023 12:55

@underthesea3 for those KGS releases is that mostly boys, girls or a mix?

underthesea3 · 24/02/2023 13:08

KGS release-as far as I know it's 3 boys and 2 girls who will release within a week. Fab school- just offer offers that work better in various ways.

Daydreamscometrue · 24/02/2023 13:13

We released KGS last week and have a son.

PreplexJ · 24/02/2023 13:15

@SamPoodle123 @Firenze12

Dont want to say the school we chose but the decision process is rather simple if you have a number of good options.

Academic, we are choosing a school so academic has to be the important factor. Among all the schools we visited SPGS and NLCS are the two schools that had demonstrated utmost emphasis on academic aspect, from pupils, parents and teachers. SPGS shows more compusure in that regard. We can sense the pround and joy of the academic achievements from the LV year Paulina girls during the tour. We do look at league tables but rank 1 vs rank 10 won't bother much for us (however rank 1 vs rank 30+ will).

Diversity, SPGS has a relative good ethic diversity compared to its peer schools. Social diversity? 7k vs 9k per term won't make any difference, most of the parents on these schools are lucky to have private options. There are way too many dog walkers in Brook Green area (imo) but many Paulinas are traveling far from that area anyway.

Commute to school, 45 minutes on Hammersmith and City line compared to 15 minutes drive or 25 minutes bus for the alternative.

Sense of belonging, DD and I just feel we don't belong to the school. The school is quite liberal by West London standard but it is just missing vibes and dynamic for us. The other option just clicked.

Facilities, some other school in London subsurb will have bigger grounds but you can't really fault SPGS as it is in the zone 2.

PS. The Headmistress did mention future GCSE strategies during the talk so perhaps the admission office also reading MN too :)