SW London Private and Grammar - applying for Year 7 in 2023 (part VII)

[QuiteAJourney]

We come from:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4739261-sw-london-private-and-grammar-applying-for-year-7-in-2023-part-vi?page=40&reply=124308644

Let's continue the journey together

Homework at our primary seems to have picked up recently in the run up to SATS. They keep sending papers home. I find it odd that 11+ is a no no for the school (because it is for private and competitive) but SATS is full steam and it is ok :)

@momomamiko and @SamPoodle123 our school is also ramping up the SATs pressure! Apparently they keep telling them not to worry, which panics DS! The SATs are so much less challenging than the 11+ papers he sat and passed but he's susceptible to a bit of drama!

I have no issues with it tbh - a bit of healthy pressure is good as I believe it keeps him on his toes, particularly as my DC thinks he needs to do nothing now that 11+ is over 😅.

No pressure for my dd. She likes taking exams. But bc the SATs are easier then the 11+ she gets bored of prepping for it in school and for homework. The 11+ prepped them so well for it. I think if they want better mock scores, prep them all for the 11+ and then they will all ace the SATs 😂

I told my dd she needs to be in charge of her hw and I will not remind her again. I will leave it up to her, but if she forgets then she will miss her gymnastics class for that week. So let's see if that works. As long as she turns her work in time. I assume she will probably do it all the last minute.

My DS doesn't mind the Sats work. I want him to do well so that he leaves primary on a good note and does well for his school. Although he passed his exams, he's never said he finds the work easy and isn't bored.

Well yes. The SATs results will be published and a way for prospective parents to compare schools. Leaver destinations aren’t really a thing for state schools as many of the children will go to their closest comps.

We’ve told DD to do her best but that the SATs don’t matter, whereas they will to her friends going to comps.

@QuiteAJourney thanks for all the support through the journey. I haven’t been on here for a while but relied heavily on this thread through the process. We really struggled with the final decision but went with Epsom College. We did worry on whether school would suffer this year but I hear that they had more acceptances than expected and no there is WL movement.

@VickiMent glad to have you back on the thread and to know that you are happy with your choice. We have friends with a DD at EC and another one (who happens to be one of my DD's best friends) about to start. They are really happy with the school - as I hope that you and your DC will be!

PS thanks for your kind message but this thread has been really a collective exercise!

@VickiMent great choice! DD is in Year 7 at EC and loving it. We were worried about how the school would be affected as well but they have done an amazing job even at this very difficult time and everything seems to have settled, I've been very impressed and it is such a relief. I am sure your DC will love it!

@SamPoodle123 hw struggles are always stressful. If it gives you hope, my DS was in Yr6 when COVID hit, so he didn't do hw from March until September, when he started secondary school. Once he started Yr 7 (First Form), the school set the expectations and the consequences for not doing hw. Before the Xmas holidays, he was writing a 1000 word comparison of Mercucio and The Nurse in Romeo & Juliet, as hw.

Keeping in the habit of doing hw is a good thing, of course, but keep faith that even if your DC's habits aren't 100% now, they can and will improve. Good luck!

Hello everyone!! Hope you are enjoying the Easter holidays. Getting next school excited- DS going to Halliford and he’s really looking forward to it. Going through uniform lists- do senior schools have a school coat or do they just wear a simple plain coat? Anyone know please?

@sugarcookie5 you'll need to ask specifically. Some schools actually have their own coat (posher end) some just specify black/navy and others just don't care at all!

In was just wondering whether there is any movement on waiting lists or is it pretty much done now?

There is, we were offered a place for DC this week. I assume the domino effect of places coming up when people were faced with a terms fees at the start of this term becoming due, possibly at multiple schools or fee increases were confirmed.

Congratulations! I agree that the prospect of (multiple?) school fees might have focused people's minds.
Which school was that for if you do not mind sharing?

Oh we turned it down. DC doesn’t want to change, plus we’re happy and also don’t want to spend £8k on wasted school fees/deposits etc.

I see. I suppose that offers coming quite late in the day are not very likely to be accepted unless that the preference was very strong and/or the pecuniary penalty somewhat limited.

A friend’s DS got offered a place at LU yesterday. They took it up at the expense of wasting 7k deposit at another school.

Oh wow, but such a shame to lose so much money! Too bad the schools do not allow a refund if they fill the space. But any case, your friend must be delighted to get the spot.

They were pretty chuffed as it was their top choice :)

Anyone heard anything re KCS waitlist moving?

I heard a couple LU offers this week, so maybe a bit more movement happening in the next week.

Any further updates from anyone?

Havent heard anything since April 21. First termly payments are due soon? Maybe some movement after that.

For anyone considering Surbiton High in the future they published their ISI report today, it's very glowing.

Hampton have had the ISI inspectors in this week.

Surely there can’t be many people who would pay the first time and then give up the place.. unless it was for a good state grammar… I mean I know it happens. I wonder what stage between now and the end of term will prompt some more movement when the next lot is due