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 would not just assume they are easy enough to get into. I know plenty of girls that did not get in and some that did not even make it to the interview round. But that being said, I also know of a few that did get in. We really like both schools. PHS is super sporty. It is number 2 for sports in the country. FHSS, I really like, but felt there was not much space. In the end we decided to go for G&l.

Does anyone know if KGS also organise classes by postcode/location?

@SamPoodle123 I meant easy to get to and logistics weren’t an issue. We are struggling to decide between both schools. My DD isn’t that sporty. I also can’t figure out which one is more academic. Congrats on G&L!

Ah, okay, then yes it is a hard decision to make between the two! Congratulations on getting offers to both! We favoured Putney, but more because of the space and sports. FHSS, we really liked the head, but she was leaving. We know two girls there who are very happy. I am sure someone will come along who might have more input. Did you go to the holder events? Does your dd have a preference? Good luck on making your decision!

They both going to have new heads. FSS, great alumni mentoring and career advice. Great for USA universities applications. A few girls leave at 13+ for boarding and Sixth form at Coed. Great new sixth form building with separate entrance seems more College like.
Putney, GDST. Friends’ kids got into top universities but they told us they tutor their kids on all A levels subjects and a few GCSEs so not sure about value added. Very different in feel, how was offer day?

@Bella369 , your academic question if you want to know rankings for exams. The Times placed FHSS at 13 and Putney at 65.

@SamPoodle123 @HawaiiWake Holder events were ok. Teachers were nice and approachable but I unfortunately didn’t walk away thinking our mind was made up. DD slightly favours FHSS but also struggling to decide between them. She has a few friends going to Putney and we don’t know anyone at/or planning to attend FHSS. For me the main attraction to FHSS was the head but now she’s leaving I’m not sure how I feel. I also felt the school was a bit small. I know their results in league tables have been great over the past 12 months but prior to that they didn’t seem as good

@Bella369 , friendships changes a lot in secondary schools plus with mobile phones all primary kids can get in touch with each other as they go to different schools. Have you ask about events for those entering Year 7? We found some schools hold multiple events so kids get to know each other whilst others have forms in postcode informal groupings. Good luck in selecting!
Also, Putney is getting a new head too. The current lovely head Putney is heading to another school.

What's the easiest journey @Bella369? If you can't decide I'd decide on that.

@woohooho It’s easier for us to get to Putney from where we live. FHSS would only add 10 minutes so trying not to base it on journey time.

@HawaiiWake I heard about these events and feel it will be a great opportunity for my dd to make new friends. I’ve also heard really positive things about the new head joining Putney.

@Bella369 we were leaning towards Putney more because of more space, sporty and slightly easier to get to. Why does your DD favour FHSS? When we asked our dd why she liked G&L she said she enjoyed her experience there during the exam, interview and like the girls there. She also liked the facilities when she did netball camps there.

Does anyone have experience of PHS and WHS for comparison?

@SamPoodle123 My DD loved the tour and interview experience at FH. The 6 form girls gave her a lot of attention during the tour when we visited their building. What school do you go to, what are your hobbies, they took us to the art studio and showed us some of their work. They were warm and engaging and she just seemed really happy and loved that they wanted to learn more about her. With Putney we had a girl from year 8 who was sweet and did her best to show us around. I can’t believe I am admitting this but my dd also prefers the location of Sloane Square vs Putney. We also have G&L WL which will confuse us even more if we get it.

FHSS parent here. DD absolutely loves the school. She is now moving towards the end of her secondary education. She knew no one when she arrived - lone girl from her primary - but it didn’t matter. She was welcomed and appreciated from the start. She has a 25/30 minute commute, depending on the swiftness of the district line. Although we are very sad about the departure of the current head, who has been there for eleven years, we totally understand her decision to step aside. I personally don’t think that the ethos will change. The current senior leadership team are an amazing set of educators. Whilst you may think it is a smallish school, it is actually a bit of a tardis once inside. There is a lot of internal space and it has a beautiful, separate sixth form building.

@Bella369 I would take very little notice of the Sunday Times list in terms of rankings. They rank schools on A-B at A Level which is no great measure for private schools (ie most kids at most top 100 private schools should be getting a B at A Level). If you want to dig more into academics, look at results pages of the school websites, and the % of grades 9-8 at GCSE (ie A), and the % of A*-A at A Level. They're much more revealing as to eventual attainment (though, as discussed on here at length, you can never aim off for the raw intelligence of the 11+ cohort vs the actual quality of the teaching). Bear in mind that most schools lose about 10% of students at 6th form (according to the reviews in the Good Schools Guide).
With new heads at both schools, it has to come down to your gut feel. Where do you / DD think she'd be happiest? Which school had the kinds of girls your DD wants to be friends with / aspires to be like? Which school excels in the subjects and extra-curricular activities your DD is passionate about?

@Bella369 Ignore the bolding - it's because I wrote A*

@Bella369 great points from@LondonMum20222 , also have you done the travel time during the hours of travel. Bus on Putney Bridge and high street/tube vs bus/tube to FHSS. If your daughter prefers FHSS maybe that would be the deciding factor?
Our DC had input and was the only kid going to the secondary from primary, it been very good and we gave up all the 11+ and 13+ options. Some MN may prefer to fully guide kids’ choice but with 7 years we thought best to have some DC input. Good luck!

Does anyone have any advice on G&L vs Latymer Upper. Our dd is leaning towards LU as she thinks it seems more exciting and also as it has more extra curricular activities/clubs. We are not concerned about the academics as having done research its very comparable. Anyone have any other thoughts or experience with either. Does having boys break up the brewing issues between girls that sometimes appear in all girls schools...

There is so much going at LU. It's incredibly inclusive and the extra curricular provision is outstanding. We chose it over a an all girls school for DD and she absolutely loves it. Has friends that are boys and I do think there are less issues with the girls as a result of the boys being there. I have no experience of G and L though.

@LondonMum20222 This is so helpful. When I ask my dd these questions I don’t get a straightforward response. I do however feel she favours FHSS. Thanks again I’m looking at the results now.

Hi, we are choosing between FHRP and FHSS. FHRP is 10 minutes walking distance while FHSS is about 30 minutes commute via tube. My DD prefers FHSS. I feel that proximity to school helps to enrol in more clubs and extra curriculars that start early or end late. Also a sense of community and belonging with the possibility of having friends in the neighbourhood. Should I choose FHRP over FHSS based solely on convenience and commute times? I know the league table rankings. Would appreciate input about how commute makes a difference. Thanks !

@dolb99 , most secondary schools have kids travelling to the schools from afar. DC friendships from Wimbledon, St.James Park, Putney, St.John woods even though there are other kids nearby or in our postcode. Could you find out if there are forms set up by postcode?

Is anyone else waiting for school offers date (grammars or non-selective) and then got to make yet another decision?! I'm now feeling as stressed as just before half term...DD wants our indie option but DH keener on state option (which she's likely to get) so having narrowed down to one indie option, we have yet another decision to make.

If any old timers are reading this and ended up either choosing (or not choosing) non-selective state, I'd be really interested to hear feedback on how that went.

I do not have experience with both schools, but I have a DD at a leading girls' school. The breakup issues that you mentioned can also happen between girls, and it can be more serious.