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

Agree that they might be taking KGS and Hampton as well and that offers much more flexibility (DS got Hampton) but still surprised they over offer by much. Waitlisting would be better. It is a bit of a bugger as there will be less places next year.

There's also a lot of boys that apply for Trinity and Whitgift 10+ as well.

During the interviews the Emanuel head came round and asked why we were applying for 10+, and so many answers were about it being a less stressful process for the kids and also a good practice run. I'm guessing a lot of people used to think of it as a good trial run and turn down their places, but with it being so much more in demand, those people have taken up their place this time.

Out of interest, is it perceived more difficult/competitive to get into a school at 10+ than 11+?

I know there are less applicants, but looking st the KGS website the 10+ ratios of applicants to places are very similar to 11+.

@Carmenbeeeater yes i would say that it is considered harder at 10+. Consider also that there is no waiting list. That said, a lot of parents /schools really push the tutoring for 11+ so part of me wonders if you were really sure on the school you wanted and went for it a year early, then you may be ahead of the game.

Thank you! Very helpful

How are you all? Wanted to connect and see if everyone has places now. Hope all going well with your DC’s!

Hi! DS is excited about secondary school now, I'm freaking out about my little baby 🐥 going to big school with all the big boys! 😂

So excited for my youngest to start his new adventure!

@KindergartenKop , was it difficult to decide in the end as I'm sure you had lots of choices?

@sugarcookie5 my dd is very excited to start secondary school. She looks at the website and has already planned what clubs/sports she will do :) She is also looking forward to the settling activities they have planned.

@sailingsunshine we decided to go with the free option in the end, so it wasn't a difficult choice really! Although I was sad because I loved KGS.

@KindergartenKop , well done to your ds, I'm sure he will love his new school.

@KindergartenKop congrats to your son. I remember when we both thought that our respective DC would be at KGS... alas, not to be, despite KGS being indeed great, but main thing is that happy with decision.

Know what you mean omg!!

My DD is happy and firm with her decision out of her offers, but sad that none of her friends got in and she doesn't know anyone else going. I'm trying to be positive saying she has the best of both worlds - keep her 'old' friends but gets to make new ones too! She is excited about the sessions over the summer that the school have organised.

We have the same thing. My dd is the only one from her school going to G&L. But she made peace long ago that she would not be going to the same school as all her friends. She is excited about all the new friends she will make and will continue her close friendships (as we live near her close friends and they do sport together). One thing you can find out if the school puts them into the same form as others in their area. This will help them meet girls in their area or sometimes school let parents who want share contact details and area they live in so girls can find out who lives close. Then you can try to set up a meet up to help find new friends in the area.

I used to do this with my dc when they started primary. I would set up play dates w whoever lived closest to us :) It will be sad for them for sure the last day of school. I know my dd will miss being in school with her friends, but also excited for the new chapter to begin.

My DD can't wait to get started though she's not keen on wearing school uniform for the first time! lol.
She's the only one from her primary going to her new school (LU) but is starting to meet up with other local children due to start Y7 there in September. It's amazing to see her relaxing now that the process is over but I think it's also beginning to hit her that she'll be leaving her lovely little primary school really soon. Or maybe that's just me?!!
Thank you all for the discussions and support through these last couple months. I'm so glad it's over for our family (she's our youngest and we arrived back in the UK when older DDs were too old for 11+). So very heartfelt good luck to all of you who will go through this again.
And good luck to all the DC who worked hard and put themselves out there for this bizarre sorting system. I hope everyone knows that one or even a few very specific type of exams over a small period of weeks (at the most miserable time of year!) is absolutely not an external validation of their abilities or potential. I wish everyone the best and much happiness at their new schools come September.

My DS is very happy to be going to LU. There are two others going from his primary school. None of them are close friends but it's still nice that they're going together.

DD really excited about going to WHS and very firm in her decision - she is looking forward to the settling in activities (they have some before the summer but as they start the year), the new curriculum (including Latin and another foreign language) and (specially!) the extra-curricular clubs (but so would I, they look amazing!!). More generally she is relishing planning all the new aspects (getting her own laptop, being allowed to choose your backpack, getting to and from school and using public transport).
There are other 3 girls from her prep going - one if the very close friend, the others she is also friends with (not that close). She is very aware of, and keen to, making new friends and I think that they school being quite local (30 minutes' walk, 20 minutes on public transport) will really help.

@QuiteAJourney yes, my dd is really looking forward to getting her own laptop! She has also asked about getting a phone. I am curious what other people are doing? I want to avoid it for as long as possible. But she made it sound like some friends already have phones. And I read somewhere on mumsnet about not having a phone means they can feel left out, as they get left out of chat and plans. She will also be traveling by bus 30 minutes so a phone might be useful when she starts doing that alone (first few days me or the au pair will travel w her until we feel comfortable for her to go alone).

@SamPoodle123 DD will be getting a phone just before the summer, when she will be going to and coming from some activities on her own. She would just have turned 11 by then. Some of her friends have phones already (mostly those that are already travelling independently to and from school).
We are following school advice (and learning from the experience of our friends with older DC) in terms of set up, security and usage.

@SamPoodle123 From experience, I think that she will need a phone if she travelling by herself - not just to communicate but also so she can check bus times, find an alternative route if necessary etc. My dd loves Citymapper!

My dd also uses her phone to check her school email on the way in (room changes, clubs cancelled or moved) and for Duolingo, as well as texting her friends. It would be possible to do the first two on her school laptop, but a lot less convenient.

We have her phone very locked down (net nanny software plus Apple controls) and she can’t download apps, use the phone overnight or browse most of the web. We’re up for negotiation on these as she needs / wants looser controls, but so far they’re working well, though she (she says!) she is outlier amongst her friends in terms of how strict we are on this.

@HighRopes that does make sense, I think we will get her a phone (or give her my old phone). Can she still whatsap her friends with those parental controls? I want to do limit what her phone can be used for, but still let her be in touch with her friends or join the whatsap groups.

@QuiteAJourney what kind of advice was given regarding the phone? Is it the same parental controls highropes mentions?

@SamPoodle123 current prep has given
very similar advice as above re: restricting access and also monitoring usage, including a strict curfew and no phone in bedroom.
WHS has some events with parents before the summer where this will be covered and they also do quite a lot of guidance to DC as a complement to the technical set up etc.

Ah, that is great WHS does this. I hope G&L does something similar!