SE London Independents - difficulty to get into?

[Selonmum]

Hi All

I have a DD in year 5 (state school) and we are hoping to send her independent for secondary. We are looking at Alleyn’s, St Dunstan’s and Colfe’s. We haven’t done any tutoring but, she has been using atom.

We have been quite relaxed about the whole 11+ exam process but, I’ve heard lots of stories from this year that have started to stress me out! Many children did not gain places at Colfe’s and St Dunstan’s - I had always considered these as not too tough to get into!

Does anyone have any first hand experience of the above schools and the difficulty of gaining a place, has it got harder?

If you applied, I’d really appreciate your input - did you get offers and if you used atom the type of score your DD/DS were getting? Any general opinions on the schools also welcomed.

Thanks!

Well done to your DD!

They were a range but all scoring above 115. If I remember correctly atom said the following to me: 118-123 for Colfe’s and Alleyn’s and 113-118 for St Dunstan’s.

To be honest I’ve heard majority got to interview stage at St Dunstan’s but then received no offer despite some DC getting offers at Dulwich schools. So maybe it’s something they’re looking for in the interview, don’t know but it’s all beginning to take its toll.. I preferred when I felt calm and laid back about it!

My DD just struggles getting her ideas down in creative writing and then doesn’t finish…

This sounds awful, I didn’t realise there would be ‘experience lessons’ after the exam.

My DD seems quite calm about it all at the moment but, I guess it’s a completely different scenario when it comes to the day. It’s why I’ve tried to keep the number we apply to minimal but, then I wonder if we’re giving her enough chances and options - decisions decisions. She is also quite shy, so I do wonder how she will fair in the group interviews that Colfe’s and St Dunstan’s seem to do.

Re exam stress, I think there is definitely a lot of temperament/genetics that play a part.

However, much of it stems from Fear of Failure (look it up). This can be traced back to overprotective/controlling parents.

I strongly believe that lots of parents mean well and want to encourage by always focusing on 'trying your best' but that this then turns into 'I'll just discuss/show you what you can do with this homework' (as the parent just can't let their child go into school with a piece of homework they feel is way below the standard required or that the child is capable of producing).

I've come across some wonderfully behaved and academic children like this. Always feeling you have to be 'the best' or turning in the 'best' work can develop into perfectionism which really is unhealthy, often leads to anxiety and certainly does not build resilience.

This might explain why my dd did not feel stress. I never really looked over her homework. I always just let my dc do their homework on their own (as soon as they were capable) and just let them hand in whatever they did without looking at it. Of coures I would have to remind them to do their homework or tell them to do it right now. I have always been very relaxed with their schoolwork. However, once I realized dd would do the 11+, I did get her to look over her Atom mock tests to see why she got things wrong, so she did not make the same mistakes. Sometimes, I would sit with her to make sure she understood. I was also relaxed with their schoolwork because they were doing well in school. If they struggled with something, I would of course sit with them to help them go through things.

During the interview stage they are looking for the right fit for the school. They want dc that will thrive at the school and get involved. At least this is the impression I got. My dd does a lot of activities/sport outside of school and when they asked her about hobbies etc each school made comments similar to "We have that at our school, you would enjoy doing that at our school etc"

G&L mention they are looking for well-rounded girls, with interests outside the academic curriculum. Of course, maybe not all schools are looking for the same. But the ones we applied to, we got the impression they want dc that have a variety of interests. It also seems the same for the schools we are now looking at for my son.

I would apply to at least 3-4 schools. A couple parents mentioned they wish they applied to one more as their dc did not get any offers. However, they also applied to quite competitive schools and did not realize how difficult it is to get in.

Yes, very similar story here. During 11+ we did ramp things up a bit, but DC had had experience of independence earlier and since. Obviously, you want some adrenaline kicking about but it really shouldn't be the case that kids are so anxious they don't perform to their optimum nor feeling physically ill/sick.

with interviews, the kids do need to be positive about the school - quite common for a kid aiming for dc/alleyns/jags to get rejected at a 'back up' school because they weren't enthusiastic enough at interview.

group interviews are more and more popular too.

Atom etc are ok but really it's the maths/english papers that are key. Think most schools publish sample papers- so it's worth printing them off and encouraging your child to have a go. Intense tutoring isn't necessary but calm exam practice is as this will be quite different to anything they've experienced before?

I think the interview gives an opportunity for the school to see if the child is the right fit for them. The introduction of the lesson experience has allowed them to see if a child works well as part of a group or takes over.

We only applied to St Dunstans (privately) in addition to state schools, so only experience of that one. He was offered a place, which we ultimately declined for a state school for financial reasons - we did like the school though.

He was offered a drama scholarship, so not sure if that helped tip the post interview process, same with other kids who got offered various scholarships.

We did two things before - Bond NVR online tests, as I think this is the bit that is very difficult as you don't practice it ever (in our state primary anyway) and like everything you need some practice at it. He then had around 8 sessions with a tutor in the 2 months before the tests and that was it. He is academically good at Maths particularly.

We'd also applied for a bursary which we got in part for anyone wondering if that puts you at a disadvantage.

They do some group interview questions, and I also wonder if having something like 'The Week Junior' or some source of child friendly news information might be useful to discuss in such sessions.

Good luck!

How did it go, if you don't mind me asking?

My DD sat the 11+ this year. She found the Colfes papers tough as it was the only one she sat (creative writing aside) which wasn't multiple choice. However despite not finishing either paper she ended up with an offer! She also has an offer from Blackheath High. She sat JAGS but no offer (it was our stretch school, so it was mostly to be expected). She didn't sit St Dunstan's. With Atom you can set your target school and it tells you how on track your child is in all 4 elements. But for Colfe's definite practice away from the computer (writing answers in long hand!) is required.

Oops sorry zombie thread!