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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Latymer upper

28 replies

CanIhaveaCupofTea · 30/03/2023 06:46

My Ds is in year five and we are in the midst of choosing a few schools, ( we only want to sit 3) and I'm very excited about latymer upper but the sheer number of applicants is mind-blowing. Can anyone share why they have 1000 sit as compared to the other independents which is 500 odd. I haven't been to the open morning as we couldn't get on the autumn term it was full. I just wanted any insight from any current latymer upper parent or someone who has sat who could share please DM if that's easier!

Thank you

OP posts:
Daydreamscometrue · 30/03/2023 06:53

Latymer is exceptionally popular. Over 20 apply from our state primary alone. The papers are always very challenging especially the maths. Coeds have been very popular this year with much greater numbers applying for IPS and Emanuel. LU is a fantastic school with many opportunities and extra curricular offerings. This year 1350 applied and they interviewed 440 for 160 places.

easycomeasygo · 30/03/2023 07:56

I think most schools have a lot more than 500 applicants these days for less places than LU so it's not as bad as it looks- although LU only have 120-130 places due to Prep School not 160.
I would say the English paper is more important than at some of the other All Boys schools.
Worth a try although definitely look round before you apply as it's not for everyone- smaller urban site, very busy etc.
When we went through it you were only around to look round in y6 but think that's changed now.

HawaiiWake · 30/03/2023 08:01

Coed is getting more applications and there are just a few established ones in London. LU, Emanuel, IPS, Highgate, Alleyn, Mill Hill which are spread over London. They all seem to get near 1000 applications number and set different papers styles. Good luck!

not4profit · 30/03/2023 08:23

Remember that every child sitting the exam will also be sitting for multiple schools and can only attend one.

FriendlyMom · 30/03/2023 08:58

Do not be phased by the number of applicants - as pp have pointed before, this is the trend.
LU exam is as hard as any other top tier school, but if your DS prepares for the 11+ and stretches himself, he should be able to pass it.
Math can be challenging but not impossible to pass - there are past papers (note: the past papers on the LU site are easier than actual exam questions), The English is a MC paper, which in ways is easier to practice and prepare for.
The interview is fun and engaging, a half day of activities. My DD enjoyed the process this year very much and really liked the school.
Good luck!

gabisunicorn · 30/03/2023 12:08

My DD got an offer from Latymer for this fall however we had to decline it as DD preferred NLCS and Godolphin - DD thinks that Latymer Upper's english paper was very easy (MCQ for english) and maths a little challenging, but definitely not as difficult as NLCS (DD thinks NLCS's papers were a lot harder than SPGS this year at least!) We've been getting DD to attend online math tutorials from Think Academy for less than a year before the exams and it helped immensely, could not recommend it more! Best of Luck for the application/exam process!

ece123 · 04/07/2023 21:48

Do Schools consider extracurricular activities such as sports or piano in the admission process?

PreplexJ · 04/07/2023 21:55

Just bump in to this thread and see this:

"NLCS (DD thinks NLCS's papers were a lot harder than SPGS this year at least!)"

Same sentiment from my DD. But difficulty level of the exam paper might not indicate the difficulty to get in. It helps to identify some potential exceptional talent though.

SamPoodle123 · 05/07/2023 10:38

ece123 · 04/07/2023 21:48

Do Schools consider extracurricular activities such as sports or piano in the admission process?

I think this can only be a positive. My dd got offers to all the schools she applied to and she said they were making comments during the interview such as "We have x sport or x club here, you would be able to do that here." Basically, saying she would enjoy the extracurriculars they had on offer. She maintained all her sport/extra activities during the 11+ process and had a busy schedule, which I think the schools also like to see (children that can balance academics and other passions). It is important to do something out of school, find a passion, make other friends etc.

thenewera · 05/07/2023 11:10

I think all the schools want children who will try things and get involved. They don't necessarily need to be super good. There are enough children who are super talented in certain sports, certain instruments etc but many children aren't.
Both my DCs did a few clubs in and out of school but no great talents! But did give them things to talk about at interviews and they could ask about clubs at the secondary schools etc.

londonswmum · 05/07/2023 11:22

@SamPoodle123 can I ask why you are mentioning about your daughter getting offer to all the school she applied to on every single post.. I can understand you are proud of your daughter but be mindful of other people, very annoying to have people bragging when you are starting the process like OP.

SamPoodle123 · 05/07/2023 11:34

londonswmum · 05/07/2023 11:22

@SamPoodle123 can I ask why you are mentioning about your daughter getting offer to all the school she applied to on every single post.. I can understand you are proud of your daughter but be mindful of other people, very annoying to have people bragging when you are starting the process like OP.

Apologies! I say it to back up what I am saying. For example, I think it helps to have other activities going on outside of just academics. If she did not get into the schools and they did not give positive feedback during the interviews regarding her extra curricular activities, then I would also say that as well (then in that case I would say it does not seem to matter if they do outside activities or not). If I just say yes I think it helps for them to have activities, but do not say we actually got any offers, I feel like it does not back up why I am saying it. I hope this makes sense?

I am also just starting the 11+ process with my ds now as well and would not take offense to a parent saying their dc got into all the schools we are applying to. In fact, I would be messaging to ask them more about what they did to prep! I do not think my ds will get into all the schools we plan to apply to. It seems a lot more challenging for the boys/coed schools. And yes, if someone asked my experience after his 11+ and he got into none or half etc I would state that as well....

SamPoodle123 · 05/07/2023 11:39

thenewera · 05/07/2023 11:10

I think all the schools want children who will try things and get involved. They don't necessarily need to be super good. There are enough children who are super talented in certain sports, certain instruments etc but many children aren't.
Both my DCs did a few clubs in and out of school but no great talents! But did give them things to talk about at interviews and they could ask about clubs at the secondary schools etc.

Yes, exactly this. I think they want the dc to be involved and happy at the school. It helps them to settle in. They do not have to be the best at what they do, it is more of just showing they have interests in trying things and contributing/participating in school life. There are many talented dc for sports and music. My dd is just average for these.

PreplexJ · 05/07/2023 11:43

ece123 · 04/07/2023 21:48

Do Schools consider extracurricular activities such as sports or piano in the admission process?

I think it depends on school, most schools offer music/sports scholarships. But if ur DC did not apply those, I think it is probably just a positive point in the admission process but not massive important. Most of the top indies are rank their applicants based on academic performance in the test in our experience.

Daydreamscometrue · 05/07/2023 13:14

@londonswmum I agree! re mentioning that she got offers from every school in all posts.

lolo99 · 16/09/2023 22:53

I honestly think that most of the top indies in London look at the exam first then what else you can offer them. Not what clubs you like.

lolo99 · 05/01/2024 20:45

FriendlyMom · 30/03/2023 08:58

Do not be phased by the number of applicants - as pp have pointed before, this is the trend.
LU exam is as hard as any other top tier school, but if your DS prepares for the 11+ and stretches himself, he should be able to pass it.
Math can be challenging but not impossible to pass - there are past papers (note: the past papers on the LU site are easier than actual exam questions), The English is a MC paper, which in ways is easier to practice and prepare for.
The interview is fun and engaging, a half day of activities. My DD enjoyed the process this year very much and really liked the school.
Good luck!

Did you choose LU in the end? Are you happy with it?

FriendlyMom · 05/01/2024 21:38

It was my DD 2 top choice - she was fortunate enough to get her first choice. Had she not - yes, she would have gone to LU - she did like the school a lot.

lolo99 · 02/02/2024 19:32

SamPoodle123 · 05/07/2023 10:38

I think this can only be a positive. My dd got offers to all the schools she applied to and she said they were making comments during the interview such as "We have x sport or x club here, you would be able to do that here." Basically, saying she would enjoy the extracurriculars they had on offer. She maintained all her sport/extra activities during the 11+ process and had a busy schedule, which I think the schools also like to see (children that can balance academics and other passions). It is important to do something out of school, find a passion, make other friends etc.

Show quote history

Where did your DD accept in the end?

SamPoodle123 · 02/02/2024 20:13

@lolo99 G&L

What schools are you considering?

lolo99 · 02/02/2024 20:21

SamPoodle123 · 02/02/2024 20:13

@lolo99 G&L

What schools are you considering?

we've applied to LU, Hampton, Reed's and KGS

SamPoodle123 · 02/02/2024 20:29

Good luck! We did not apply to any of those for dd. But next year will apply to LU for ds....the others are too far.

pinkgaia · 14/02/2024 15:44

Hello everyone

We got an offer for both Latymer Upper and Godolphin and we're finding hard to decide

Is there anyone here attending these schools who want to give me some insight?

Pro and cons?

Reputation wise (in view of university) which school fo you think is better?

Many thanks 😊

redrobin75 · 14/02/2024 16:44

Are you attending the offer open days? Do you have a view on Latymer not offering GCSEs? There are quite substantial differences between the 2 schools.

DeepSeal · 13/04/2026 19:07

SamPoodle123 · 02/02/2024 20:29

Good luck! We did not apply to any of those for dd. But next year will apply to LU for ds....the others are too far.

Which school did you choose for your kid?