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!

@Lilitlilit , Emanuel have kids traveling from all over London but those north of Thames covers St.John Woods, Shepherd bush, Fulham, Olympia/ Kensington, Parsons Green, Chelsea, St.James Park, Westminster.
Good luck with your selection and choices!

Yes, I was going to say we had some issues in co-ed with my dd. The girls can be mean anywhere. It really just depends on the luck. And my dd tend to play only w the girls. They are mostly nice, but I have seen some issues and meanness that the boys do not seem to have. My ds has not had the same, as the boys do not have the drama issues. Maybe later? I am not sure. I did not think about that when applying to all girls for dd. I hope she is in a nice and friendly year!

@Lilitlilit if you get the Emanuel WL place and you're still worried about the journey, I would recommend doing a practice journey with your DC. See how they feel about it or if they find it too much. If it goes okay and they're confident then hopefully that will help support your decision. Good luck!

@alltheleaves We actually did a practice journey when after interview I couldn't hail taxi to get back home. At 5pm It was quite dark and rainy, so I didn't find road from Emanuel to Clapham junction safe and easy for 11yo. I will probably have to drive there for a couple of years. Can crossing Battersea and Chelsea bridges be challenging during rush hours?

We will be commuting to Emanuel from Earl’s Court, DC friend will be driving from Fulham and another one from Chelsea. My understanding is that the drop off window is quite large so you can plan an earlier car journey to avoid traffic.

I really wouldn’t recommend driving to and from Emanuel from north of the river. Have you seen the traffic around Wandsworth Bridge and Battersea Bridge recently? The walk from Emanuel to Clapham Junction is absolutely fine and lots of the children do it / they walk in groups, including the very youngest ones. They also like the independence and walking past the sweet shop on the way to the station 😉

Emanuel along with pretty much every other secondary school encourages pupils to travel independently to school. There is a lot on their website about it.

Really? Even at the start? I just can't imagine sending my dd alone at the start. Perhaps after a year. I allow her to walk to and from school now, but it is only a 7 minute walk through the park. But on the bus or tube 30 mins away I am not sure about!

I agree with @veryverybored - secondary schools do encourage independent travelling (and avoiding using the car).
The reality of most families is also that independent travelling is a necessity. The London transport system at 7.30 - 8.30 is full of kids making their way to school.

I promise you that by the second or third week they'll be pleading with you to let them go with their friends.

@Jibberty , you do not need to promise me.. I have all the intention (and need) to encourage independent travelling. 😉
My comment was in response to others mentioning that their DC will travel accompanied.

Apologies - I didn't mean to quote you.

I went with DD on the bus for 2 days then she was happy to go alone. Went on the tube one day with DS, the bus the next and then he went on his own.
Both schools constantly have to send out reminders about selfish parking, complaints from neighbours etc. They beg us to get the children to make their own way. Not to mention the environmental issues...

@Jibberty no need to apologise 😀
I think that we both agree - independent travel is the way forward for many reasons.

@SamPoodle123 - I think you're daughter is going to G&L? There are hoards of DCs around Hammersmith Broadway - about 6 secondary schools within a 10 minute walk. I'm sure she'll surprise you and wanting to be travelling on her own in no time!

Ha! Absolutely. I'd say that probably 8-10% max of the girls at DD's school are driven. The 3 bus routes to/from school are unofficial school buses in the morning and afternoons. Tube/rail station has them streaming out/in as well.

For those whose PFBs are about to embark on this new stage, honestly they'll love the independence and also between now and September they really do grow up so much. If your worried - take the holidays to do a journey or two with them then stalk them doing it; you'll be surprised how fast they grasp it. Also remember their friends are from all over and you sure as hell have not got the time to be ferrying them about...!

Travel time, lots of kids about and quite safe on public transport.The car option when you have heavy bag pack with computer and books plus musical instrument. The instrument is an issue, depending on size and/or cost. Parents use car time to chat with kids or to let them revise for upcoming tests maybe audio books sessions.

Yes, I am sure she will want to. I guess once I feel comfortable with it, I will allow her. Also, we only walk and use public transport in this family (we do not own a car). So I will not be driving her ever :)

@veryverybored and sorry, I meant the car comment for another poster who mentioned something about driving the dc to school.

I agree, best to avoid if you can!

We had no choice but to let them make their own way as we both work and couldn't take time off to settle them in.

Not sure where you are located, but Wandsworth preps like The Roche and Hurlingham usually get quite a lot of offers from IPS

Does anyone have a DD with an academic scholarship at Surbiton High? We’re trying to understand whether the scholar’s programme adds real value to the senior school experience.

We’re struggling to decide between an academic scholarship at SHS and an offer from GHS. We live in Surbiton, so logistically that would be easier, but we preferred GHS. My daughter is swayed by the kudos of the scholarship, but we’re not convinced that it will make much difference to her on a day to day basis? The brochure from the school mentioned scholar’s lunches, seminars, mentoring, but was fairly vague and we didn’t manage to get any more clarity on the offer holders day.

In our experience, most scholarships are token gestures used to market the school They might attend talks or a dinner but there’s not a real ‘added value’ for it in my opinion, though DD is not one. I also know Surbiton offer a LOT! In DDs prep last year everyone who went for a performing arts one or sport seemed to get one and also lots were on academic. My neighbours daughter is there as a scholar and said in her class (probably of 20ish) there are 7 academic scholars.
only ever heard amazing things about Guildford - it was too far out for us though - both are great schools though.

@Surbimum , yes same as @1forward2back , I'm a parent at SHS but at the end of the school and my dd had 7 academic scholars in her class when she joined. They are used as marketing to get dd to accept places esp against Tiffin. Remind your dd that many dd with SHS academic scholarship offers will get Tiffin offers tomorrow and go there instead.
There has been another thread recently on SHS v GHS if you live in Surbiton with 3 parents on it.

We looked into the academic scholarship offer at SHS and WHS last year. It put dd off, as it seemed like more work and being singled out, neither of which she liked the idea of. I think if you’ve got a dd who would enjoy a bit more attention and if the discount is financially meaningful it is definitely worth considering, but as posters above have said, it is often about trying to recruit dds who are about to receive Tiffin offers.