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.

This been a standard question in interviews for a few years, which are the schools you apply in order of preferences. It has been covered in MN previous years posts. If you had an offer would you like to come to this school? How would you or your family get to school? Would you prefer a school closer to home? What did you like about XXX school, would you like to come here? FHS, Putney, WHS, City of London, Dulwich all have asked this.

This is the least kind and helpful question to a child I would imagine and indeed was dreadful that she would be asked the same however fortunately not(yet). The group activities actually were both great and she really had fun. Its much more relaxed and fun comparing to being interviewed by couple of teachers.

It was particularly hard for my children as they had not visited any of the schools before they took the exam. I didn’t want them to get their hopes up and fall in love with a school and not get in so we decided they would only actually visit the schools when they had offers on the table. We had our preferences and ultimately it was not our child’s choice (although we would of course factored in their opinion) so asking them was a pointless question!

Yes, DD was asked if she would go to Emanuel if offered a place.

That is fine, since they can say they only did exams in all the schools and would decide on offers days. Some kids have been to other schools on sport days or matches, summer cricket camps in Dulwich or summer music courses in JAGS. We know a girl said that SPGS was their family focus in GL. Maybe if the DC is borderline and said they want to go if they had an offer it could be a case of wait list and not a direct no. Good luck and hope all DC gets lots of offers.

This is exactly what we did with my eldest and luckily for her she was never asked this question. For my ds we decided to view a couple schools, but he remained neutral. So far he has not been asked this question either.

I think it is not a great question to ask, but apparently some get asked this. I do not think it matter much...as I have heard of dc being asked and them giving honest answers like "You are second choice or my parents want me to go here, but I prefer x school" and they still got offers.

It is interesting some teachers ask this question at Emanuel, but not all. DD interviewed there previously and ds yesterday, neither were asked this.

I personally think that the answer should always be positive, but it's a good way of catching kids if not expected. I was pleasantly surprised how DS has answered this questions knowing what is at risk. Performing arts might be a hidden talent...

DD said that it was one of her top schools and she thinks she’d be very happy there. We hadn’t rehearsed her so it was, at least, an authentic answer!

This is a good answer.

My son’s tutor was a former teacher at a few of the selective west London schools and he said they ask this question purely to try to figure out how many kids they think will accept their offer. He said it is often asked to the kids they think will have many offers. Not that they wouldn’t offer the child a spot if they are honest and say it isn’t.

Yes, this is it.

Has anyone heard from Alleyn’s regarding scholarships that isn’t drama or will that only go out on Wednesday when times are sent out?

@Twinklestoes198 think their email said 27-28-29 of Jan depending on the scholarship type other than academic which is decided post second round?

@Lana1985 thank you. Just checking have the emails gone out for the second rounds?

We received a no for music scholarship weeks ago

Still no email for Sport scholarship or times for rest.

@SupermarketMum sending big hugs that it was a no. I am sure your DC is very talented

thanks @Hermionegranger2014 was wondering if they went out already as email on Friday said this week. Assuming they will send everything tomorrow then with a yes or no for second rounds.

good luck to everyone waiting for news!

They sent drama scholarship on Friday probably because they have to learn something?
So I guess you're correct the rest will be tomorrow. Do we know what the 2nd round of the sport scholarship entails? Is it an interview or more practice?
Good luck to all!!

No word here and DH chatted to a few parents at the Emanuel sports scholarship drop off this morning and no one has heard from Alleyn’s either way.

Yes, because they want special pieces that they have sent to be prepared as monologues. Most other schools are fine with a piece that you choose.

Yep, I personnally think it's a good idea so everyone has the same amount of time to prepare, rather than perfectly honed speeches (which we don't have under our belt ha ha)...

Has anyone had an email for the round 2 sports scholarships at Hampton yet?

Thank you ☺️ he wasn’t too bothered as we expected it, he doesn’t have a second instrument so he’d be unlikely to get it.

Does anyone know the rough percentage Alleyns make offers to of those that get through to interview?