Page 10 | SW London Grammar and private senior school entry 2025

Wlondon14 · 2024-10-24T12:26:42+00:00

Hi! I know there are a few threads like this out there, but they seem to focus on grammar schools outside of London. I found this group really helpful a few years ago when my daughter was going through this process. Where are you applying, how did you find the open days? Are you using Atom learning? What is your prep plan for the next month? I have a son applying to - St Paul's, Kings, Latymer Upper, Emanuel, Ibstock, Hampton, Harrodian

SamPoodle123 · 28/01/2025 09:46

ACavalierDream · 28/01/2025 07:07

No one really knows. It is purely conjecture. Were you the last to be interviewed? We are at the beginning of the alphabet. We were in the first batch (of only 2) for 2 school. For the others we weren’t first, therefore they weren’t doing it alphabetically. Confirmed by the fact I knew a lot people there. So either they have an order of sorts, or it’s purely random because interviews don’t matter that much. But if you are interviewing 400+ candidates, random order seems complicated.

Show quote history

I think all schools are different and there are many ways to do it...by school, by surname, random or depending on the candidates availability (3 out of our 4 schools we chose the date and timing!). Not all schools give that option of course, for my dd we were just given the date/time and not the option to decide (but luckily no conflicting dates). Some schools know their dates conflict with other schools; therefore they emailed candidates ahead to find out availability....even to candidates that did not make it to interview! We were asked availability by Kings, but did not make it to interview.

SamPoodle123 · 28/01/2025 09:54

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/01/2025 09:09

Morning ladies, I just want to offer a different perspective for those of you waiting for interviews, offers and waiting list places. My DS (now yr 7) excelled academically in primary (highest possible grading in every subject, glowing reports etc). During the 11+ process I thought he would be turning down a range of offers from private schools in SW London, as his big sister had done before him.

I don't know what happened - whether DS choked in the exams or whether his tutor failed to prepare him or maybe his sister was just more mature at handling all the pressure but ..... no offers. I was absolutely blindsided. His primary head even reached out to the schools, asking them to reconsider him, to no avail.

SO DS has gone to the local state and he is thriving. The pupils have been streamed for maths and he is in the top set and making friends with the other studious boys. We are using the extra money to boost him to make sure he gets the same opportunities as our DD at private school - music lessons, sports clubs, lots of theatre and educational holidays. We are taking the kids to Asia later this year. His state secondary is massive and does have a very broad intake, but runs an enrichment programme for bright kids which hopefully DS will be selected for, where children are offered Latin, trips, extra reading and so on to stretch them.

As a nice side note, we've done the maths and we'll be able to pay off the mortgage much sooner. What felt like a disaster has actually worked out fine. Good luck to your DCs, it's such a stressful time, I know.

Thanks for this...sometimes when things don't go your way, it is a blessing in disguise. I always believe things will work out, even if it is not what you initially wanted. We are hoping ds will get some offers and like you have a dd that did 11+ before him and did extremely well. DS did not make it to interview for 2 schools, which did make us worry if he will get offers to the other schools he did make it to interview for. I think it seems more difficult for boys, as there seems to be less options in the area for middle or safe schools to apply to.

How did you handle it with your ds when he got no offers?

Hatcher · 28/01/2025 10:07

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/01/2025 09:09

Morning ladies, I just want to offer a different perspective for those of you waiting for interviews, offers and waiting list places. My DS (now yr 7) excelled academically in primary (highest possible grading in every subject, glowing reports etc). During the 11+ process I thought he would be turning down a range of offers from private schools in SW London, as his big sister had done before him.

I don't know what happened - whether DS choked in the exams or whether his tutor failed to prepare him or maybe his sister was just more mature at handling all the pressure but ..... no offers. I was absolutely blindsided. His primary head even reached out to the schools, asking them to reconsider him, to no avail.

SO DS has gone to the local state and he is thriving. The pupils have been streamed for maths and he is in the top set and making friends with the other studious boys. We are using the extra money to boost him to make sure he gets the same opportunities as our DD at private school - music lessons, sports clubs, lots of theatre and educational holidays. We are taking the kids to Asia later this year. His state secondary is massive and does have a very broad intake, but runs an enrichment programme for bright kids which hopefully DS will be selected for, where children are offered Latin, trips, extra reading and so on to stretch them.

As a nice side note, we've done the maths and we'll be able to pay off the mortgage much sooner. What felt like a disaster has actually worked out fine. Good luck to your DCs, it's such a stressful time, I know.

What a positive and uplifting story. Thank you @SkaterGrrrrl for sharing. Did your DS get some interviews for the independent schools or did he just struggle with the exams? Don’t know if the disappointment is worse after having secured an interview…

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/01/2025 10:26

SamPoodle123 · 28/01/2025 09:54

Thanks for this...sometimes when things don't go your way, it is a blessing in disguise. I always believe things will work out, even if it is not what you initially wanted. We are hoping ds will get some offers and like you have a dd that did 11+ before him and did extremely well. DS did not make it to interview for 2 schools, which did make us worry if he will get offers to the other schools he did make it to interview for. I think it seems more difficult for boys, as there seems to be less options in the area for middle or safe schools to apply to.

How did you handle it with your ds when he got no offers?

Show quote history

SamPoodle we broke it to DS gently and there were lots of tears. I've always told him if he works hard he will get the rewards, so I felt I'd broken that promise. I was glad we'd included our local state amongst the many school tours we'd done... So we could focus on where he was going and not where he wasn't going.

He did compare himself unfavourably to DD, who was fortunate enough to get an academic scholarship to SHS.

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/01/2025 10:30

Hatcher · 28/01/2025 10:07

What a positive and uplifting story. Thank you @SkaterGrrrrl for sharing. Did your DS get some interviews for the independent schools or did he just struggle with the exams? Don’t know if the disappointment is worse after having secured an interview…

Show quote history

After an approach by his primary headteacher, KGS offered DS a maths interview and thereafter they placed him on the waiting list but nothing came of it.

He is genuinely happy in year 7 and I wonder if he thrives best without pressure.

We signed him up for school clubs like photography and chess at his state primary so he has met other gentle boys.

SamPoodle123 · 28/01/2025 11:09

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/01/2025 10:26

SamPoodle we broke it to DS gently and there were lots of tears. I've always told him if he works hard he will get the rewards, so I felt I'd broken that promise. I was glad we'd included our local state amongst the many school tours we'd done... So we could focus on where he was going and not where he wasn't going.

He did compare himself unfavourably to DD, who was fortunate enough to get an academic scholarship to SHS.

Show quote history

Yes, that is a hard one, when they work so hard and then don’t get an offer. But like you say, best to focus on the school he did get. And the prep puts them in a good position for year 7. We applied to state schools, but did not manage to view them 🤦🏻‍♀️ one is a Grammar school, which we would consider if he got the offer (even if he got private offer too). But not sure as we wouldn’t be able to tour the school before making a decision! 😅 the other state option ds knows because he has used their facilities for sports. Both are good options.

And yes, hard not to compare oneself w an older sibling. DS already has it in mind that his sister did really well and he wants to do really well too 😳 I did explain it is different as it seems more difficult and competitive for the boy schools in this area (at least this is the impression I get after going through it with a dd and now ds).

SamPoodle123 · 28/01/2025 11:10

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/01/2025 10:30

After an approach by his primary headteacher, KGS offered DS a maths interview and thereafter they placed him on the waiting list but nothing came of it.

He is genuinely happy in year 7 and I wonder if he thrives best without pressure.

We signed him up for school clubs like photography and chess at his state primary so he has met other gentle boys.

Show quote history

Also, that is great your ds is happy in his school and sounds like he is thriving. Thanks for sharing your positive story.

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/01/2025 12:27

SamPoodle123 · 28/01/2025 11:09

Yes, that is a hard one, when they work so hard and then don’t get an offer. But like you say, best to focus on the school he did get. And the prep puts them in a good position for year 7. We applied to state schools, but did not manage to view them 🤦🏻‍♀️ one is a Grammar school, which we would consider if he got the offer (even if he got private offer too). But not sure as we wouldn’t be able to tour the school before making a decision! 😅 the other state option ds knows because he has used their facilities for sports. Both are good options.

And yes, hard not to compare oneself w an older sibling. DS already has it in mind that his sister did really well and he wants to do really well too 😳 I did explain it is different as it seems more difficult and competitive for the boy schools in this area (at least this is the impression I get after going through it with a dd and now ds).

Show quote history

Also for DCs born 2012/ 2013 there was a massive baby boom! Many, many applicants for places. Plus going back 20 or 30 years it was more common for kids to board whereas these days more families choose day schools.

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/01/2025 12:29

SkaterGrrrrl · 28/01/2025 10:30

After an approach by his primary headteacher, KGS offered DS a maths interview and thereafter they placed him on the waiting list but nothing came of it.

He is genuinely happy in year 7 and I wonder if he thrives best without pressure.

We signed him up for school clubs like photography and chess at his state primary so he has met other gentle boys.

Show quote history

Sorry - chess club etc at his state secondary not state primary!

BeJollyNewt · 28/01/2025 20:21

DS did test for one superselctive independent locally , It was a full day at the school with tests, lunch, interview, model lesson and discussion etc and came out very happy in the evening and said test was easy and enjoyed. He truely enjoyed the experience. we have grammar option but not sure VAT can make grammar pattern changes as DC score is at boarderline for superselective london suburb school, so really worried especially when he felt it was easy, creative writing part wouldn't be easy

BeJollyNewt · 01/02/2025 11:15

DS recieved an offer letter this morning.

SamPoodle123 · 01/02/2025 14:30

BeJollyNewt · 01/02/2025 11:15

DS recieved an offer letter this morning.

Congrats, from where?

BeJollyNewt · 01/02/2025 14:46

Perse, Cambridge

TW11dad · 02/02/2025 12:18

Offers went out from Halliford School by post, arriving on Friday or yesterday… just outside of London, but like schools such as Reed’s or Epsom, southwest London still in its catchment.

We were lucky enough for an offer. The two letters - one for the parents and one for the child - were exceptionally personalised and detailed. Such a joy to receive.

Hope those who were waiting had good news.

Sass22 · 02/02/2025 12:28

Amazing!! Congrats with offers already, well done to your DC.

AdoniaMG · 02/02/2025 13:30

Does anyone know when we could expect the offers to come out for WHS? TIA.

followfollowthesun · 02/02/2025 13:46

Congratulations @TW11dad ! We did not apply to Halliford, but I have only heard wonderful things about their whole admissions process - very personalised, which makes all the difference!

mimisilly · 02/02/2025 15:27

Surbiton High offers are out. We received it on Thursday by email and expecting a post on Monday.

user1495644500 · 05/02/2025 10:00

For those parents who have been through the process before, does anyone know what time of day all the results come out on 14th February for West London independent schools? In particular Hampton and LEH?

SummerDCs · 05/02/2025 12:45

I’m sure this has been asked before but can’t find threads and it’s first time we are looking at private for secondary.

On average, before the VAT addition, how much % did fees rise every year at SW and W London girls schools? Eg G&L, GDST, SHS,

SamPoodle123 · 05/02/2025 13:07

user1495644500 · 05/02/2025 10:00

For those parents who have been through the process before, does anyone know what time of day all the results come out on 14th February for West London independent schools? In particular Hampton and LEH?

The timings are different for all...and could change every year...but I think most were in the morning. For dd two years ago the timings were 7:32am (FHSS), G&L 9:13am and Emanuel 9:41am. Putney came a few days prior. My guess is they will be sent in the morning.

If you have registered via school portal to make your application you can check this. We found out a little before the emails arrived by looking at the portal. And apparently SPGS accidently updated the portal days before.

HawaiiWake · 05/02/2025 13:11

SummerDCs · 05/02/2025 12:45

I’m sure this has been asked before but can’t find threads and it’s first time we are looking at private for secondary.

On average, before the VAT addition, how much % did fees rise every year at SW and W London girls schools? Eg G&L, GDST, SHS,

3%, 5%,8% increase before VAT. One point to look for after offers, costs of school trips and clubs. We found some schools with lower fees charge more for clubs, trips ie. Germany for 4 days over £1000 and another school was 1 week for £750 etc. Some schools clubs etc, free no extra charges whilst others have extra payments.

W4mumoftwo · 05/02/2025 13:56

user1495644500 · 05/02/2025 10:00

For those parents who have been through the process before, does anyone know what time of day all the results come out on 14th February for West London independent schools? In particular Hampton and LEH?

Only have info on Hampton from a few years ago, they sent before midday

W4mamabear · 06/02/2025 11:52

Following this thread with interest as my second DD will be doing the 11+ next year. Wishing the very best of luck to all your DC's - the next few days and the wait can be torturous.

I wanted to ask if anyone can recommend some in-person mock tests in West London? Mainly for independent girls and co-ed schools entry. We are using mock tests on Atom but I thought it might be better to do a test (or two) in person as well as we are applying from a state school with rarely any testing. Thank you!!!

Cleta · 06/02/2025 12:15

W4mamabear · 06/02/2025 11:52

Following this thread with interest as my second DD will be doing the 11+ next year. Wishing the very best of luck to all your DC's - the next few days and the wait can be torturous.

I wanted to ask if anyone can recommend some in-person mock tests in West London? Mainly for independent girls and co-ed schools entry. We are using mock tests on Atom but I thought it might be better to do a test (or two) in person as well as we are applying from a state school with rarely any testing. Thank you!!!

Thank you for your all best wishes 🙏🏼

We have used examberryy mock tests, and sometimes you can search for a specific school’s mock exam, eg Latymer, Kings