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

It is very nerve wrecking. Couple of years ago, In my DS school, most kids went for 13+. There were at least 2 cases that didn’t get a spot when they completed the 11+|13+ exams. Then in Y7 and Y8, the prep school stepped up support for the 2 boys and they ended up in schools of their choice. It was not highly academic schools but definitely good schools. All got a spot so it seems to work out.

@meuntilmarch2025 You summed it up
perfectly - I’m tired of it as a parent as well, so much to do, finding mock papers, preparing for the different exam formats etc.
It has been difficult to keep them motivated during the break as well.

@SamPoodle123 I know everyone keeps saying everyone gets a space at the right school that is right for the child. Have also heard of kids that go to a prep up to 13 and try again for 13 plus as no luck at 11 plus. That knowledge is what is making me wobble. Good to know some heads are able to work their magic but I guess this is only when the school agreed to your choices you had and they weren’t aspirational choices.

Think the worse part is lots of my DC friends already have news for second rounds and some of the girls already have offers from woldingham. Lots are already finished aswell with exams and only have interviews and DC still has exams in January.

so strange how it works that kids that don’t get into Emanuel get offers from King’s and Latymer? Could it be siblings policy or just different type of kids they are looking for?

Do the schools chat to heads first and look at references with extra activities before sending out interviews or is it purely based on how well you did on exam day?

It is not easy with the long wait. We luckily found out ds has two interviews. He was a little bummed about not making second stage for one school. But thankfully has forgotten about it now. For my dd we didn’t find anything out until after the holidays so felt like forever.

I am not sure why some kids don’t get into Emanuel and then get into other seemingly more difficult schools. I think it depends on the day. I do know for Emanuel one dc didn’t pass the verbal reasoning test. The cut off was 115. But that child got into Kings, which also has a VR test. So really it is the luck of the day and test you get!!! For Latymer we discussed the CW topic and my ds preferred the one his friend had gotten in the afternoon saying that one is much easier to write about. Thankfully he made it to second round anyway, but just an example has how sometimes it’s the luck of what you get. Some kids might find certain topics easier or more challenging.

I think exam marks are considered first and if you pass then interview happens and they look at reference along w the interview.

Thats the thing it all depends on the day how a child performs. They might just have an off day with a paper and a school that they should be getting into they dont but are totally capable to be in a certain school according to cat test, school report and suggestions from school what schools to apply for. I really hope they look at the whole picture but i guess that will make the process even more longer and more admin for them as so many kids apply for schools.

The 13th of January cant come quick enough. Hopefully the schools will email beofre that. Now just to keep positive and not drive myslef crazy and keep dc happy and healthy and motivated for the last exam!

Good luck everyone with the last few ones in January!

@DreamyDreamy my DS's journey through this process was a few years ago, so things may well have changed. when DS did the 11+ entrance exams, the exam day included an interview... for any boys that didn't manage to show what the school wanted to see, they were invited back for a 2nd interview (usually subject specific). for those who did reach the benchmarks, on the exams, and could have a good conversation, during the interview, they were offered a place. for those parents, there was radio silence until the offer letter, mid-Feb.

Ah yes and a few years ago more schools interviewed all the applicants and now most interview only the ones that pass.

Anyone got older children who have been through the Epsom College “engagement session”? They say there’s no one-to-one interview or test during the day, just three classroom based activities. Suspect there’s not much my son can do to prepare, but curious as to how it runs and what he can expect.

@W4mumoftwo @user1495644500 have heard 850 applied, 40% taken to interview for 160 places. Not sure if those applying include the prep school and 10+ kids.

Thanks @Wlondon14 , the head of admissions mentioned on the talk on Monday that 110 places are 11+ ( 35 are allocated to 10+ and 25 to Hampton prep) that adds to the 170 places they mention on the website. I doubt all 10+ offers are accepted..

We have PHS coming up this week. The interview invite mentions “a short, individual creative response”
although I know there’s no way to know what this would be, does anyone know from previous years (older DDs) if this is a verbal or written response?
thank you

@SummerDCs my DD was successful at gaining a place at PHS last year so hopefully this will help for tomorrow. The interview day last year was more of a creative task to discuss how you would plan a new city and what you would include in it (I believe in previous years it might have been about designing a theme park). The girls worked in small groups / pairs to discuss their plans and write some notes but then individually present their idea to the teachers. As such it wasn’t something that can be prepared for. Good luck to your DD for tomorrow!

SPGS interview emails are out. Wishing everyone all the best 🤞

Good luck! Anybody hear from St Paul’s boys yet?

Hi, new to this process. I’m wondering if there is any correlation of interview time and chance of offer? SPGS spreads interviews on two days, may early day have girls perform better in assessment than later day girls?

Absolutely zero correlation!

Thank you so much! Can’t control myself for overthinking 😂.

SPGS mum here. Please stop!!!! The interviews are held by school group, otherwise they are random. It’s stressful enough for you all, without people purposely trying to play on insecurities.

Congrats to everyone with interviews & commiserations to those without.

Please don’t make the process anymore stressful by quoting absolute rubbish!!!

I've been there and I was exactly the same! But the SPGS interview is honestly really relaxed and low key. DD came out wishing it could have been longer as the chat she'd been having with the teacher had been so interesting and "so much fun." I know it's torturous at this stage, but the odds are good.
Good luck!

St Paul’s boys emails coming out, at least the no’s are! Good luck all!

It's no for us too from St. Paul's 😔

@DagaDiga is this for 11+ or 13+?

11+ for us

I recall 2 years ago, a mumsnetter frequently checking the forums to track whether SPGS was scheduling interviews over two or three weekends, even before her own child was in the process. That's the level of insecurity you can imagine from some.

Best of luck to all waiting on St Pauls boys!