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!

DD has an interview at Habs- found out last night. This was the last one we were waiting to find out from- and they have invited parents to the interview too.

Great. Good luck. DD didn’t get the queens maths question about square number and prime numbers… i am anxious for her that she won’t get an offer.

@EmeraldSakara this is exciting and terrifying! you interviewed separately or in together. I would for sure rock the boat if the latter. My questions about AI and stats on which teachers mark interviews more favourably at QCS in a social setting were enough!!
I have loved all your wins this week everyone- girls have done tremendously! These are hard schools and they are flying - you all should be really proud.

@laughinglemons we were flat after Q int. We travelled with a friend who had a very chatty interview. DD had a guy with closed questions and she didn't get to say much- she tried but wasn't as positive as she went in ready to be. She had a visual pick the odd one question and thinks got right, but no feedback or interaction really. There were A LOT of girls / parents moving through- so I feel same as you!

Sorry that your Queens interview wasn’t a good experience. I also feel glum thinking that on 9th Feb if we are left in limbo land on the WL the journey doesn’t end..

Good luck everyone.
I hope calm by the fire, tv and wine filled weekends incoming for all- whatever the news tomorrow.
Thank you for wise words and hope some of us over lap going forwards.

Hi @schoolobsessive, good to hear from you! How are you feeling (and everyone else on this thread too)? I can't believe we are so close to the final day now. I've been having tormented dreams about it!

@schoolobsessive how did you get on? Haven't heard from you and hope your DD got the results you were hoping for.

@laughinglemons have you made your decision yet?

@EmeraldSakara hello- we fell off in a good way- 4 offers/ Belmont drama scholarship and queens WL. And DD thrilled and we all relieved. So in a comfy place- but so hard to now pick the right thing.
Also opening up idea of Marylebone Girls- state/ small and girls only- lots of drama / dance- and tube 20mins... so we are switching off and enjoying position for a minute....
YOU???
I heard from @laughinglemons who is in a brilliant place. Well done all.
Lots of DD friends from her NW prep got the full set- of 4-5x girls consortium... so now chess if pick soley where best- or allow where others go to influence...
WOW - what a ride!!

@EmeraldSakara did you get any good offers ?

@schoolobsessive that's great! Belmont drama scholarship- that's fantastic. What are you leaning towards at this point- or are you going to the offer holders day at Belmont? I know you loved Queens.
@Mother007 DD got offers from NLCS, Habs, Channing, FHRP and waiting list at Highgate. So it was an easy choice for us- NLCS was always top of our list so we've accepted the place and released all the others. Needless to say I am delighted and relieved- and so is DD!

@EmeraldSakara wow wow wow - so pleased for you and your DD> She must be over the moon. Got shivers. LOVE that the daughter of someone so likeable is out there acing it! Enjoy the half term and every last second of Y6.

We / she and me love Queens. I feel ok. I thought might be a hard no (after no FH/ maybe bad consortium moment) but let's see. Maybe I preferred Belmot all along and for sure feels nicer to be offered out right + scholarship, so maybe after the offers am DD will be with me!!

@schoolobsessive thank you- that's a lovely thing to say ☺️
A scholarship shows that they really want your DD and appreciate her talent/love for drama. That feels like a good thing. First week in March will be key to seeing movement on the waiting lists- so keeping everything crossed for you if you decide to hold out for Queens.

@EmeraldSakara well done and congratulations! Fantastic school!
did you not get to CLSG as you had mentioned it before ?

We are deciding b/n Channing and FHRP.
Any Thoughts or advice anyone would really appreciate 🙏🙏🙏

@Mother007 we didn't do CLSG. I wasn't keen on the location so it was never in the running. However I've heard wonderful things about it- and it might have suited DD well. But nothing could match NLCS for us!
Between FHRP and Channing- we would have chosen Channing without a doubt. I loved the headmistress there- she is passionate about girls only education, there have been some lovely refurbishments over the last few years and the results are better/it's considered more prestigious and harder to get into (girls from DD's school who got into Channing all got into FHRP, but girls who got into FHRP didn't all get into Channing). I guess it comes down to location and the feeling you got for the schools. FHRP felt a bit tired to me- though it did feel warm and friendly.

@EmeraldSakara
thank you so much for this invaluable feedback !
we live 15 min walk to Channing but 40 min on the tube with two lines or one line and a long walk across the park to FH.

@Mother007 ah- then if you're 15 mins walk from Channing it would be a no brainer for me!

lovely to hear everyone’s news!

I wanted to ask if anyone has any experience of Habs in recent years? I know parents had been unhappy with the old Head but there seems to be some changes in place.
would appreciate any 1st had information if anyone has any?
thanks

@Sayonara13 Habs new headmistress used to be the acting head at NLCS. She is highly impressive- I heard her speak at both an open day at NLCS last spring (2023) and to parents at the Habs interview last month while our daughter was being interviewed. I think she'll be a huge asset to Habs.

Thanks yes my impression too at the interview.

They have big plans… with the Executive Head looking over both schools.

We will likely accept the offer- I think it’s the right environment for my DD and she loves it too!

@Sayonara13 congrats- it's a great school!

Hi we accepted SHHS and declined offers to Channing, QL, Belmont and FH for anyone waiting for those schools. I think prob next week movement will start on the WL. Good luck everyone!

GNW3 - must feel lovely having made the decision. Well done to you and your DD. We are going to offer holders’ for QCL, FH and Channing. Which would you have chosen had SHHS not offered?

@laughinglemons thank you a big relief as her sister goes there and she wanted to go there too! We always liked FH and I know a few very happy girls there. So prob FH! Good luck and we’ll done to your DD!