London grammar and private senior school entry 2025

[CruCru]

Hi all

It doesn’t look as though one of these threads has been set up yet so I thought I’d do it.

I have a daughter going into year 6 and a son going into year 8 next month - both will be moving to senior school in 2025.

Do you already have a child at SPGS? Any advice on interview / tips?

No I dont, my other child is in WUS. They do share tips in the letter. My daughter wont be coached for interview(well, this is me going against it, I think being their natural self is best, if they dont like it, it shows, loads of time it was due to the interviewer too). Although we will remind her few general basic social rules (we are a very liberal family, we dont have much rules in our family, the kids are free to roam, loads of cons about that we need to navigate in terms of being socialise around other people.

Does anyone know if Wimbledon High asks for recommendations from primary school following the interview stage or not please?

If they need it, they will ask for it. I have been chased for example by Jags and FHSS but sent it before being chased by Wimbledon only because our state school policy is to not provide references - so sent last school report from year 5 and a long description of the child with interests and activities. Clearly at a disadvantage vs the preps where i think heads reports are detailed / on the glowing side.

Actually prefer the school report, we know some prep heads with super close relationships with certain families and presents being dropped off at different time of the year. The school report with many teachers is fairer since some schools have standard drop down stock phrases which they used so not detailed. There are schools heads that are detailed and super helpful but if not the school reports is a better option. Good luck.

We are at a State school too and they have filled references for Jags and Alleyn's, Jags post exam, Alleyn's in December so prior to exam, so was curious re: Wimbledon High

There is no need to feel disadvantaged between state and prep school references or reports. Most schools understand the differences and do not make direct comparisons, I’m sure.

Hi! This may have been asked before (if so, apologies), but does anyone know approximate numbers for SPGS interview stage vs offers?

Also, is the view that ALL exams are taken into consideration including the CEM online 1st round? Or is that more about getting over a threshold mark?

It has! Last year, about 220 for interview and about 140-150 offers for 120 places.

Nobody knows the dark art of how any school weights different parts of the assessment process. But if your DD has got through to interview, they've done very well.

Good luck with the interview!

Thanks @11PlusCraziness - and sorry for asking an already asked question.

I didn’t think SPGS wouldn’t over-offer by as much as 15-25% (had assumed more waitlist), so that’s interesting.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/5152642-london-grammar-and-private-senior-school-entry-2025?reply=140536120

They over offer a few, and the applicants
/interview numbers have remained quite consistent over the past few years. As opposed to some other poster quoted.

As for CEM, even if they take it into account, what more can be done at this point?

Thank you @PreplexJ

Wow, you seem to have a close knowledge. Do you have a DD at SPGS or just maintain a keen interest?

Neither, actually. I'm simply keen on dispelling misinformation.

Hi, I know this has been discussed before. But, how important is school academic reports for the admissions? DS comes from state school and his academic report is not all stars and praises. Last year, he tried admission in one of the private schools for ear 6 entry. He got through the written test. But after interview, he got rejected, around the same time when they asked for school references.

Hi, I have a question about King’s College.
Today my son had the interview. They said they will have 60 places for 11+
Considering most prep schools will join in 13+, shall we think that these kids will mostly from state schools ? Do we know how many kids are invited for the interview ? Thank you

Even if a school ends at 13, they still have to do an exam at 11+ and a lot of prep schools are now 11+ so I think it will be about 50/50

You're welcome! The waitlist is tiny from what I gather.

Any other queries feel free to DM.

There are lots of prep schools that finish at 11 nowadays. But there will be quite a few state school boys as well.

I asked today about number of kids invited to interview and they didn't give me a specific answer, just a lot more kids than places. So I guess they don't want to share.

Alleyns interview mails are out, good luck !

Alleyn’s invitations out!

Oops sorry! Cross post. Congrats to your DC @Cleta

Hope everyone has good news from Alleyn’s!
nice surprise on a Friday night!

Gosh, it feels like we are getting to the end now. My daughter has her last interview on Wednesday morning and that’s it.

We’ve got one more interview and then it’s just a waiting game!

I know everyone says the right school will find your child but so hard to have faith and live in fear she’ll get no offers. Such a long drawn out process. My DD is taking it in her stride but I’m a stressy mess in the behind the scenes.