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 :)

The Times 2023 ranking is based on results on 2022, which is one year out of date, and 6-9 years out of date for the 11+ parents this year. Times haven't published one based on 2023 results.

For London ranking based on 2023 GCSE result:
https://www.londonpreprep.com/2023/08/london-gcse-ranking-2023/
A Level
https://www.londonpreprep.com/2023/08/a-level-results-2023-top-london-school-ranking/

Thanks do you know when the table comes out based on 2023?

Last year was in Dec, so this year probably similar timeline. 2023 exam data is available online for most of the schools, one can just compile one yourself based on it's own preference I don't think there is any value to be obsessed with the times weighting methods.

@PreplexJ are those links from the times school guide?

No but I believe the link uses the source 2023 data from each individual schools and compile the ranking table. The data is public available and easy to verify.

2023 Times ranking source 2022 data from individual schools.

Just had a look at the links posted above and these do seem to be based on 2023 figs.

Is anyone here considering Latymer upper? We visited the school last year and really liked it. However, the recent changes about not doing GSCEs are concerning as most other schools are keeping them.

we are considering LU... I think there will be two groups, some who like the change and some who are cautious about it. I think on balance it is a good thing, I am sure DD will love not doing GCSEs :-). And presumably things are heading in that direction. It will be interesting to see if it affects offers / waiting list movement and so forth.

Yes we are applying to LU. Really like the school. Haven’t really made up our minds fully about the change to GCSE, but will make a decision in Feb if we are lucky enough to have a choice of schools! 🤞

We looked at LU but ultimately decided not to apply as the journey is a bit too much of a faff from where we live.

We liked the idea of the GCSE change in theory. The explanation they gave made sense and it sounded like it could be good for some children. It does seem a bit of a gamble though until it is better established.

We are applying to LU it is not our first choice and not sure about the change as I would like my dc to have the option to leave if they want at 6th form.

@Westlondonmum2024 i agree with you. I think what Latymer are proposing is innovative but it means that it will be near impossible for the pupils to leave for 6th form. Also, DD1 is now doing her UKAS application and I can’t see how her GCSES can’t be considered! It’s definitely a gamble!

@Iffiyas for sure and I think is a big gamble with ukas until it becomes the norm. I wonder if it was a retention tactic as most of these schools loose their best students to higher ranked schools at 6th form. Also you don’t get that practice for big exams before taking Alevels.

@sanam2010 I think they will have same number applying but acceptance will be lower in feb so more movement in WL. A lot of people will still apply and say we will think about it later …

"as most of these schools loose their best students to higher ranked schools at 6th form."

People change sixth form not for higher ranks - much less influence from parents at that stage , mostly is for suitable subjects, coed and other factors.

@PreplexJ well I did form it first dc and I know many parents that have moved their kids to spgs and other higher ranked schools. don’t assume others don’t just because you don’t want to. Are you even applying for your dc for these schools??

@PreplexJ typo! I did it for my first dc along with many others I know.

I know many students move for different sixth forms, most of them for the reason of finding the available A level subject combination they want to undertake, second reason they want to change from single to a coed environment for more socials.

Parents had less influence at that stage (16+) so it is less about parents input. Don't assume you want to send your kids to a higher sixth form means most of the people want to when they are 16.

@PreplexJ I think you should take your own advice and not assume things for other parents and kids also. Again are you even applying to these schools?

"not assume things for other parents and kids also"

Let me quote your own word

"as most of these schools loose their best students to higher ranked schools at 6th form."

Where is your evidence? It is merely your unsound assumption.

"are you even applying to these schools"
no, not this year

Very few leave LU for 6th form as most of the movement at sixth form seems to be to coeds from single sex schools or to boarding schools or to the big sixth form colleges like Esher College, which is too far away for a lot of LU pupils.
It's worth looking at all the FAQ on their website as they address pretty much all ten issues around moving, UCAS forms etc.

@PreplexJ so you are not applying this year? Do you have kids at these competitive schools? Older that you know what drives their decision? Just wondering since you have such strong opinions…

Yes not my own kids but I know quite a few directly from my family, friend and aquantances from these schools and similar in London. I also know their decisions and main drives but none of them had their decision made by their parents when 16.

@PreplexJ there you go when you go through the experience yourself you will know better. My dc choose to go to more a competitive school and we supported that move . Strange that you spend so much time here when you don’t need to as you are not applying or have any direct experience to share about the schools….

I do not think the opinion will be more "correct" or better known for some when they claimed they have been experienced themself.

Especially when the opinions is for "many schools" or "most parents" I can't see how one individual experience can apply universally, not without concrete evidence to back the claim.

"Strange that you spend so much time here"

A lot of posters in this thread and some relavent thread are not applying for this year, doesn't mean they don't have experience nor have less up to date knowledge compared to some applying this year. At worst they know where to find the up to date league tables..