North London girls 11+

[EmeraldSakara]

I wondered if we could have a thread for anyone with girls doing the North London 11 plus selective schools this year?

DD is doing NLCS, Habs, and some consortium schools (SHHS, Channing and Francis Holland). Anyone in the same/similar position?
We've visited them all except Francis Holland so far- and have been very impressed with them all, in different ways. Absolutely loved SHHS- but we are aware they're all extremely competitive and hard to get into.

Can any parents who have been through this in previous years share ideas re prep for the Consortium exams? The last two sections (problem solving and creative composition) are designed to be hard to prepare for and I'm not sure where to go- does Atom Learning do this kind of prep?

Would also appreciate any info about the schools in comparison to each other- the kind of girls they suit, etc.

Really just looking for a bit of support through this stressful process!

Thank you for sharing. We did not and were upset. It was our preferred. I am reading now about FHHS being a very church-inclined scchool. All schools have their skeletons or shall we say least preferred features.

Highgate are sending out interview invitations today, or latest tomorrow. Anyone else waiting on Highgate?

yes us, thank you for sharing - did you call Highgate today?

We applied to Highgate. Where did you see an update is due today? It's not in any of the emails I received. I thought was Monday 8th.

I called them this morning. They also said roughly 280 of the 800-ish that applied are called for interview.....

DD got an interview invitation from Highgate. Has anyone else heard?

Jumping in regarding FHRP. DD didn't get an interview, all others in her prep did. How worried should we be for the other consortium places- queens for example? I thought they took around 115 SAS average which DD is usually. Should I worry she under did herself, or hope she kills it at interviews this week?
Any calming thoughts gratefully received.
We didn't select any really selective; Queens, St A's and FHRP.
What do you think?

I honestly think Queens is easier to get into than Francis Holland. That is what DD's school told us and is evident in some of the results seen by girls in previous years who didn't get FH but did get Queens. St Anthony's in Hampstead I'm not sure about in relation to Queens but I would say easier than FH for sure.

Thank you for this. I have asked all I know if anyone didn't get FH interview yet did get offered Qs. Hard to not let it knock you and stay positive when DD speaks about maybe going to a school! I cannot wait till March. *St Augustine's we also tried. Interview tomorrow 8am - 12noon. Poor girls! Good luck everyone.

Ah- St Augustine's, sorry! I thought St Anthony's. Good luck for tomorrow!

Hi @schoolobsessive , similar discussion last year about relative position of schools in London consortium in terms of how selective they are -
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4749433-cat-scores-required-for-sw-london-boyscoed-independent-schools?reply=124146983&utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share&utm_source=copylink

To answer your question about Queens, in previous years DCs with 115 SAS average had received offers from Queens. It is bit less selective than either of the FH schools and DCs who weren't offered places in FHRP/FHSS in past years often received offers from Queens and some other consortium schools.

In the same thread, there is also an update from another parent whose DD had an offer in 2023 from Queens and St James in the consortium, but waitlisted in FH (at the time of posting)

"If helpful for people in the future, my dd had a cats average of 118 - and was offered places at queens gate and st James and waitlisted at nhehs and fhss (not sure if these two will turn into offers yet). "

Good luck for the interview!

@justanotherdaduser thank you so much for this. Read you twice now and diving into the other thread. So close SAS points wise- so here's hoping DD missed on FH interview by the 1/2 marks between. Thank you for the luck- taking it and back soon!

Hello schoolobsessive - just saying i feel your pain and sending you luck that it all works out in the end. That channing and queens college interview all the girls makes me prefer those schools anyway as schools that don’t must miss lovely , bright girls. The atom papers are marked by a computer. In my day you had to write creatively, do a comprehension… I think our DDs handle the process better than we do! I am not up for home schooling so my DD is definitely going somewhere in september even if none of those we have applied to offer us a place. I keep saying that whereever she ends up , what matters is her attitude when she gets there… eye rolling!

Thank you @laughinglemons reading you yesterday made me post for the first time. The mantra is 100% NO HOME SCHOOLING! Yes to this!!.

I agree too that schools miss out on bright, charming girls by having a cut off. At the queens dance audition I met several mums/ dads all who tried NLC, Channing, Highgate- so then I felt likely their girls will have Qs as back up... then my husband tells me I am acting like I am on the apprentice and what will be will be!! My daughter also loves NBH, so all tell me have a likely chance and she will love it.
I also cannot stand the parents that have gone all competitive and guarded, so happy with this lovely thread.
Good luck everyone.

@schoolobsessive good luck with the St Augustine's interview. We're currently on the way to DD's Francis Holland interview. It's her first one- Channing next week and then Highgate the week after. Still waiting to hear from South Hampstead and NLCS regarding interviews (apparently they let everyone know next week).

@EmeraldSakara Ah go show them- I hope all goes well. Also that the order works to build her into the preferred school/s etc. You have the toughies! These girls are truly wonderful. I learnt to multiply fractions in our Dec ATOM-a-thon, which was a big deal for me. Poor DD doesn't stand much hope with me!
Please PLEASE update all later.

Thank you @schoolobsessive ! The girls truly are wonderful. I feel bad for the kids who still have exams to go- we finished the day before the Christmas holidays so there's been some time to unwind.
It all seems very relaxed here at FH but I'll update later. Where are you hoping your daughter will get in, at this stage?

@EmeraldSakara I heard last years they did exams after the break, which would be worse for us. At least got all testing done when surrounded by the motivation of the class. Only interviews now, Queens Monday and last one.
I love Belmont, but DD didn't see round, so less excited by it. Her choices are; Queens, NBH then Belmont.
We are trying drama at Belmont and dance at Queens. Less for the % more for the subjects she loves and to get back in front of them... If got either would be delighted, with or without the performing part.
If NBH only then maybe would take the performing KAA place and if too much move year 8 to NBH?
I also need to think if my love of Belmont is to help get her younger brother in later!?
I think the girls there at FH were delightful, if your daughter is naturally academic (which HG suggests) then will fly- creative and driven and smaller school and warm.
can't wait to hear more soon.

@schoolobsessive fingers crossed for you on Monday, if Queens is your first choice. It's a good idea to get back in front of the interviewers and give them another chance to see your daughter doing something she loves.
DD came out smiling- it all seemed to go well and was pretty relaxed. Now the anxious wait to find out if she's been invited for the other schools before Channing on Tuesday!

Hi Schoolobessive - we absolutely love Queens. Amazingly DD, myself and DH all AGREE on this. Chuffed it is your only all girls option. Great you tried / were invited to dance. I am sure these extras boost the application , she will definitely have a place - probably more than 1 (i would be delighted with just one option and then no decisions have the be made - simples)! DD who is at a mixed primary school has said she wants all girls. Even though she seems to get on better with boys. I went to see NBH and felt v comfortable there, it felt real. The kids sung a dua lipa song rather than just 1 exceptional pupil playing the piano AND it is a walk up haverstock hill (i can’t get enthusiastic about schools involving a twice daily Journey, although this doesn’t seem to bother most people). We have to keep remind ourselves that they can always change schools. Ans to a certain extent it is what they make it… i didn’t understand your reference to KAA. Night

@EmeraldSakara So pleased FH went well. DD friends who did all said same. Relaxed and drama related creative. A few profound questions odd for 10year olds - but pretty ok. Hope you hear tomorrow for the others. I am nervous for you typing. Wishing you all the luck for Channing and hearing from NLC and SH.

@laughinglemons I hope you are right. She would be over the moon with a Queens offer. I still have a tiny thought that maybe the results were just that bit too low- but everything crossed for her to wow Monday.

NBH felt like a big, happy, loud out of London state, which I liked. Bells at break and laughing kids and busy halls.
KAA - is a state in North Kensington, which is meant to be amazing, but back to state which I worry about from small classes and with lack of focus issues. Also very strict which DD would hate.
I keep reminding myself what's the worst that can happen, we buy 3 sets of uniform, but you are totally right they can move. From what I see with friends children in KAS/ MVS and Channing etc- they all socialise and know each other outside the schools anyway. Our daughters might over lap!!

@schoolobsessive was/is the Queens interview today? Please let us know how it went! It sounds like you might be all done with interviews after today?
Nothing from NLCS or SHHS yet. SHHS have said they let us know on or before Wednesday 10th. Anxiously awaiting NLCS and can't get through to their admissions team. Habs apparently don't let us know whether the girls have been selected for interview until Monday 15th....

Anxiously waiting for SHHS. It’s a bit of a long shot for my DD but we love the school and her little sister doing 4plus too.

we have Channing tomorrow and QC on Wednesday. Any tips?

Also anxiously waiting for NLCS and SHHS. Any ideas when to expect NLCS?the email only mentioned early Jan with interview mid Jan.

Last year was 11th of Jan