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!

Has anyone had good news from SPGS yet? I know offers were out a little while ago, and there are a few rejections over on another thread, so hoping that somebody on here has good news!

Anyone heard anything from LU?

WHS post arrived before the email !

SPGS email was there in inbox since 9.30, just read it. Its a yes for us. Yipeee!!! So pleased and good luck to all!!! Sending love and good vibes to all still waiting to hear today

Still waiting…

Delighted for all of you with children going to KGS (the only one I have personal experience of). My son has just left there and had a fantastic time and did really well academically, as well as making some wonderful friends, both boys and girls. I loved the teaching staff there, really inspirational, and the Head balances academic achievement with pastoral care really well I thought. I hope you all have a great experience too.

Woohoo! Huge congrats! I'm guessing that's DD's first choice?

This was in reply to @Running247 . I’m all fingers and thumbs.

We got the SPGS email at 10.03am.

Thanks. DS is at SPS so yes probably. However we live close to PHS and DD has a confirmed place there too.

Try not to be too disheartened. My son got through from a waitlist. Incidentally I contacted the school (KGS) at the time to say how much he really wanted to go there and why I thought it was the right choice - I don't know if it swayed things but we got an offer a couple of days later. I also explained why he hadn't done so well in a particular area (non verbal reasoning for us, because I hadn't practised it with him, being naive about the process!).

Unfortunately we are a waitlist for WHS although top third if that helps.

It was DD’s favourite so think it may hit her hard however I do feel very grateful and lucky to have Surbiton as given all the results it’s probably the right school for her.

So happy to hear all your good news and hang tight for all those on waiting list. Good news surely must be round the corner!

@Taurus23 - were in the same boat but with a lower third waitlist at LEH. DD loved Surbiton and so did we and it’s a great fit for her but the LEH news has made her feel a bit down on it. Hopefully it’s a passing cloud! I read on some thread that Surbiton are only taking 120 girls this year - did you hear that?

@mootwo we got lower third for LEH too! As much as I’d love her to get into a ‘high ranking’ school I think Surbiton will suit her

With SPGS result landed in the inbox, I can finally have a verdict on the 11+ between grammar and private selective schools in London.

In terms of level of competition, getting into the top grammar schools is much more difficult compared to the top privates in London. There are simply not enough spaces for bright DCs and their mums who crying for a selective state secondary space in London. Hence the process for 11+ grammar imposes a lot of pressure for the parents.

Based on my experience, I will suggest for the mums and DCs from state schools preparing for 2024 entry, after grammar exams, do look for the opportunities present by the selective private schools in London. The other side of the fence can be brighter. If you DCs prepare well for the grammar exam, the level required to take on top private schools is actually marginal and will contribute to your DCs future academic journey positively.

If there are financial constraints, there are busarys on offer per each school. Do check out on those. If you and your DCs do want to choose to study in an academic selective school, having to choose between top grammar schools vs top private schools is a high quality problem to have. It is better than stuck with only grammar option or other alternatives in March.

And for those parents on their preferred school on WLs, there will be large movement since first week of March. So please do not despair and You and your DCs hard working effort will pay off in the end.

Skipped school today, heading to airport for somewhere warm to spend the half term.

Good luck for all the parents for 2023 entry!

Congratulations for all the offers!! It is lovely to be at the end of the journey. Going anywhere nice @PreplexJ ? I expect we could all do with a holiday!
We have our first choice offer at KGS, so very happy 😃. Only school we haven't heard from is Ibstock. Can't say that I'm suprised!

Well done to all of your children regardless of offers. I hope they are pleased with their school options. It is lovely that your daughter has had a confidence boost @QuiteAJourney - an extra good outcome.

Is it just LU, IPS, NHEHS & Harrodian people are waiting on now?

You must all be exhausted already and it's still only 11am! 😂

Hi, has anyone heard from Notting Hill& Ealing ? They seem to have taken down open apply or I as a luddite cant find it. Offer from FHRP which was lovely, have already emailed Emanuel to say thanks but no thanks for WL - think the lack of any sustenance before inrerview might have been a factor 😀

I know it is something to be looked at with a pinch of salt but I don't suppose anyone has a copy of the recent Sunday Times indie list and if so could screenshot it here?

@LondonMum20222 we are also waiting for KCS and St John's.
It was a yes for KGS, which I am thrilled about.
11am and I'm ready for a lie down!!

@kittybloom
kidify.co.uk/blog/2023-the-sunday-times-parent-power-best-and-top-schools-in-uk-league-tables

Is a top-line copy of the lists afaict.

We got a yes for KGS! So happy for my DD as she had a subject specific interview so I knew she would have to work really hard for it.

We only sat 2 - Surbiton High and KGS. She has offers for both which I'm so grateful for. For a number of reasons she and I are both inclined towards Surbiton but perhaps that is because I wasn't expecting the offer from KGS and now it is here, I am feeling confused (which I totally accept is a nice problem to have). Older DC is at KGS and loves it. I just feel DD more likely to find her tribe at Surbiton and that it maybe a more nurturing school for her which will be important. I also suspect she maybe towards the upper end of entry there (but haven't asked admissions) and she is a child who would do better for that rather than fighting for a space towards the bottom. But KGS is such a great school. DD isn't sporty - more arts and drama.

If anyone has any feedback for DD which they would like to share for KGS and Surbiton, I'd be really interested to hear it. In the meantime, think I'll do both offer days.

Great re KGS! And hope you hear from the others soon!

@secondaryquandries South Spain, still not warm enough to swim. 😅

@WNLastX thank you for sharing.