SW London Grammar and private senior school entry 2025

[Wlondon14]

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

We did one in August at Tiffin in Kingston. It’s not endorsed or run by Tiffin, but it mirrors their process insofar as it’s marking straight lines on answer sheets that will be computer-scanned and graded. Not a process used by independents that much, but it was useful to give experience of a) a grammar school eleven plus exam, and b) how it feels to leave your parents at the gate, follow instructions and work alongside strangers in an unfamiliar place. The website was https://www.11plustestkingston.co.uk.

Fee rises have been 3-10%, really hoping they start to put a lid on this as it is getting a bit OTT! I know the only way most schools can survive is by exiting the pension scheme which is a real shame.

Timings - really varied from 8am to 6pm. 6pn school I caved and called admissions at about 3pm as it was our top choice and the lady took pity on me and told me it was good news. Emanuel do this awful thing where they said yes first, then waiting list, then no. So you know by following on here if you are no pretty much.
Good luck everyone, I pretty much lost my mind on that Friday, defo the worse bit!

Yikes, that is terrible. If any school decides to send emails by outcome, they should really send the no and WL first. I think its better to know first the bad news....then wait for it. But I have seen schools send good news and people worried they did not receive something hours later and say I guess it is a no then...but still get a yes (for interviews anyway!).

Also, I agree with the fee rises....it is CRAZY how much prices have increased.

DS found this test very easy and more of a familiarisation test. The Examberry Tiffin tests were so much harder. DS passed Stage 1 and went through Stage 2.
@W4mamabear We took different exam formats for independent schools with Examberry, I opted for the "stretch" test options, they were challenging, DS found actual tests easier! (at Latymer, Kings College, etc)

Thanks for sharing this. I am thinking of switching off email notifications and just check my email later on the day...

Part of me wants to wait for the physical post. I’m guessing a yes will be a big envelope and a no or WL a small one. No way I am that disciplined though as our list comes early afternoon!

Thank you so much @Cleta @TW11dad @W4mumoftwo

@W4mumoftwo @TidyLion I’ve already checked my email just now 😂waiting to find out Harrodian today.

Best of luck today @SamPoodle123 I am sure it will be the first of many offers😊

Good luck to everyone waiting for news!

How did the Alleyn’s academic scholarship go?

🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

Regarding the interview order, my sons at one of the schools mentioned a few years ago. My elder son was so happy there that I was so keen for my second son to go there but there was no sibling priority.
I had asked the registrar a few times if there were any openings in the intervening year with boys leaving the prep to move overseas etc so she knew I was super keen for my younger son to have the same experience as his brother. On the day they released the interview offers, she actually rang me earlier in the morning than the list would have predicted, as she knew I would be so delighted and normally we round have been at the end of the alphabet.
Lovely lady/lovely school!

Good luck for those that are waiting. Very close to the end now.

LEH out already!

LEH really? No news for us yet.....

@TidyLion DS seemed to enjoy the afternoon and was in good spirits when I picked him up. Most important thing. He was just absolutely exhausted as it was a long day and glad that it was all over and no more interviews to go!

now just the long week of waiting! Hope everyone is keeping sane with the wait! Was hoping for an early surprise but guess they will all wait till the 14th!

Reeds offers are out via email, with post to follow

Congratulations! Did they previously give a date and it came early or were you unsure of when the emails were going out? I am hoping we might get an email before Friday from one of the schools (but they all mention the 14th so assume probably not!)

Thank you! No, we knew in advance that they were coming out today and it's published on their website. Everything else we are enduring the long wait until Friday 14th. The days are long!

Congratulations @followfollowthesun !

I received a waitlist offer from Reed’s and have a firm offer from another school, but Reed’s is our first choice. My DS is really keen on Reed’s. I hope he wouldn’t get too disappointed….(I still haven’t tell him the result yet) I’m trying to stay optimistic, but this situation is very stressful :(

Has anyone here had a successful waitlist acceptance before? I’m curious about how many people are on the waitlist and how they prioritize them.

@DearDeer123 thank you! And well done to your DS, too! This is such a tough process, and all our DC should be super proud!

Have you applied for 11+ or 13+? We are 13+ for Reeds and will definitely give up our place if we get our first choice on Friday. I think that historically, there has always been a lot of movement after offer day, as children in this area of SW London apply to so many schools and can only choose one, so I'm sure you've got a good chance.

It might be an idea to phone them and really highlight how keen you are and that it is your first choice. Good luck! X

Joining now for solidarity as we are waiting for outcomes on 14th too. It's a horrible wait for the kids (and parents!!)

Thank you for your kind words. We're applying for 11+. DS does work really hard to prepare himself for the assessment. I'm very proud of him too even though the result isn't what we expected. Will stay optimistic and hope for the best.

Good luck and wish your DS will receive offer from his first choice!

This is such a nerve wracking process. I feel like I aged 3x faster these days....@@