SW London Grammar and Private year 7 entry 2024

[lolo99]

Not sure if this thread has been started but if not, I would like to share experiences, tips and generally talk about schools and their pros and cons and processes to ease the anxiety and pain for us parents :)

I believe that the slight variation in ranking between G&l and LEH does not separate them into distinct categories. They appeal to somewhat different types of girls who do not base their choice solely on academic performance. City girls, however, is in a very different location and draws girls from a completely different area.

They will publish their list in December ..

@Outerlondon2024 could you explain the types of girls for LEH and G&l what types in your opinion?

G&L has a more international (US) and West London vibe, while LEH is more SW London and suburban, with larger and more verdant spaces. Both schools have athletic girls, but LEH has more girls who are into drama and music.

@Westlondonmum2024 , unless you live in Chiswick, Ealing or Richmond you can't consider LEH and G&L because you either need to be on the district line or have easy access to the school bus route and the late bus for clubs at LEH which I think goes as far as Turnham Green in the evenings. The boat club for rowing at LEH is based in Sunbury with no public transport links which gives you an idea of how much more suburban the site/in take is.

There's lots of other places which are accessible to both schools. There are coaches from Putney, Barnes etc to LEH and easy transport links to G&L.

@tennissquare thanks good to know. Do you have any more insight of the school? Academics or the environment?

Around my area LEH is likely to be considered with GHS or WHS while G&L probably will be viewed together with the other Hammersmith schools or Putney. LEH to some like me is too suburban and G&L to some will be too central. They do attract different demographics

@Westlondonmum2024 , yes I'm very familiar with LEH but don't have a daughter there. Obviously it has a new head and the A level results this summer were disappointing but the gcse results were very strong. You can sit your dd and see how she gets on, decisions on actually accepting places at schools aren't made for many months from now so it's best to not get to attached to any school.

This is the time of year when the nervousness of SW London 11+ mums peaks as they check the newest league table rankings, narrow down their choices to the best 50 schools, and disparage the ones they dislike or can’t apply to. However, keep in mind that your child is selected by the school, not the other way around. Search for schools that suit your child’s needs, not those that match your preferences

@tennissquare thanks! Have you heard anything negative about the school?

@Westlondonmum2024 , I work in education and would never say anything negative about any school on a public forum. LEH is a great school along with many great schools in SW London and different schools suit different personalities, when making a choice when the offer letters are lined up many parents decide by journey length and sports offered, ie no hockey at LEH but a swimming pool.

This is so true - a child will do their best when they are happy and in an environment that suits them. Sending them to a top academic one just because their exam marks were good enough doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll do their best. If a stretched environment isn’t right for them, they won’t be their best. They may actually do better in their results where they are not highly pressurised all the time. Happiness is key.

@lolo99 This thread is old, but asked a similar question. I think some things have changed (eg Emanuel is very much on the up) but you might find it useful at least as background:
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/2561591-Can-anyone-rank-the-SW-London-selective-schools

Also if a child is very academic sending them to a school that is not stretching them could be bad. The balance is important for sure. Anyone know who has DC at Lu, G&l or LEH that can rank them according to academics? I like to hear from people who actually have direct knowledge please.

"Anyone know who has DC at Lu, G&l or LEH that can rank them according to academics? I like to hear from people who actually have direct knowledge please."

Not sure if there are any parents with 3 DCs in these three specific school to be qualified to answer this question.

What is more interesting is there is another Mumsnetter with a similar username asked about these three specific schools a while back. Is this the typical Déjà vu for West London mums?

What do you really mean by 'ranking them according to academics' though?
I have a child at one of those schools and know families with siblings at both LU and G&L. G&L probably comes slightly higher in the league tables but a DC may do better at LU or LEH if the school suits them more. Similar story with most of the schools that have vaguely similar results. There will be children at LU for example that got offers from St Pauls Boys and Girls but they and their parents prefer Co-Ed. Similarly they might prefer the vibe at G&L or Putney High or LEH.
Some may love the open spaces at LEH and that would be a higher priority.
Gut feel is as important as League Tables- don't get caught up in the West London arms race!

I know a few with 1 at LU and 1 at G&L bit they would be hard pressed to say which is 'best' They chose which felt right for the child. (And not all boys at LU, girls at G&L!)

Well the three hammersmith schools are always the hot talking point in MN.

But the specific username(s) like to add LEH which is miles away to the picture, what a coincidence.

Thanks @wishiwasidisneyland Since we live in Chiswick border we can do all three so I guess it will depend which one my dd prefers.

Yes, if your dd gets more than one offer, let her decide. She did the work to get in, so should get the final say. We were happy with all the schools we applied to so left it up to our dd in the end. Will do the same with my ds if we are lucky enough to get more then one offer.

@SamPoodle123 thanks sounds like a good idea as they will have a good feel for it going through the process.

I can see the similarities and differences now.

Both usernames DD are doing 11 plus this year, presumably all West London based. So considering LU GL LEH or other West indies is not uncommon.

Both usernames actively seek some negative about one specific school LEH in the thread. Both very interesting in latest A level results in the ranking table but ignore the GCSE part.

One username said her DD will not definitely sit LEH this year and the other probably says probably give a try (the latest version). All are months before even the exam / offer cycle of these schools.

I wonder what is there to be gained by badmouthing a school here?! As everyone said, the school has to be right for the child

It must be West London arms race in action, saw it year after year.