Guildford High

[durness]

Random question borne of insecurity… we’re fortunate that our daughter is very musical and she’s been invited to audition for almost every music scholarship we’ve applied for. Except Guildford, who turned down her scholarship application two days after the CEM test. So be it, a scholarship was always going to be a helpful bonus, not something we expected… but to not even get invited to audition was disappointing. And then, inevitably, we started catastrophising: was she rejected because her exam result is poor and they don’t want to waste time auditioning someone they have no intention of inviting to join?

So now we’re fearful that - despite her assertion that it went really well - she’s had a bad day on the CEM test and it’s basically all over. Certainly other schools use the exam results to determine whether to consider kids for scholarships. But maybe it’s just that competition for scholarships at GHs is especially fierce and she’s been lucky to get invited to audition by other schools. Argh.

Does anyone have any insight into the GHS process? Or what level of would-be scholar they attract?

Honestly, the whole secondary school process has been a nightmare and maybe we’ve just become paranoid fools. I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with sanity…hopefully.

I know two girls from our school last year, who didn’t get invited to the audition at GHS, but received music scholarships from all other schools that they applied for. But they both got offers from GHS at the end. The words on the street is that they almost always look at orchestral instruments only, and almost completely disregard piano. I am not a GHS mum (but also going through the 11+ process) so only hear and say. I know people who were grade 5 in a “rare” orchestral instrument plus voice (and piano grade 2/3) got invited for the audition, but many who were grade 8 piano and grade 6 in a popular orchestral instrument didn’t . So I wondered if your DD is also a pianist? Can’t comments on the CEM timing, but I think your DD is obviously very talented to be invited for other scholarship auditions. Best of luck!

Yes I also know a dd who a few years ago got music scholarships from many schools including LEH and St Catherine's Bramley but nothing from Guildford High because her second instrument was "voice". She still went to GH and had a successful time and was the lead chorister at a cathedral.

Thank you both. Our daughter plays violin (ungraded, maybe about 6ish), piano (grade 6) and flute (2). So a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none. We put violin as primary instrument even though piano is more advanced because she has a greater affinity for it. So she probably needed to be higher on violin. Or she should have learnt bassoon!

Your comments are reinforcing the sense that Guildford is demanding a bit more for a scholarship and maybe that’s all there is to it. On the plus side, we got better news from Tormead today.

By the by, I’m aware of someone getting a scholarship at GHS for singing a couple of years ago, so they seem to be a little more open-minded now.

Thanks again!

The music grades are not high enough I’m afraid for violin many girls will be grade 8 for the 11+. There are a huge number of violinists at the school which doesn’t help. Good luck.

That is bonkers level of attainment at 10/11 years old. I didn’t have Guildford down as musically superior to the others schools we’ve applied to - oh well!

I concur with @Lulubear50 I'm afraid. GHS is at the same level as the top London schools (SPGS / G&L / LUS / City) and in all of those you will find plenty of violinists / pianists / cellists who are post G8 and didn't get scholarships. There's a lot of very musical kids around. But the upside is that hopefully you can stop worrying that it's an indicator that she won't be called back for second round. Good luck to her (and you).

Nowadays many dedicated parents enroll their children in music grade exams from as early as age 3 or 4, particularly for piano or violin. By the age of 11, many have reached grade 8 or higher. However, a number of these children don't pursue scholarships for several reasons: firstly, they often lose interest after achieving grade 8, as they were mainly pushed by their parents, I personally know a few kids who stopped playing instruments at secondary school as soon as they reach grade 7 or 8..

Secondly, some parents realize the significant time and commitment required for a music scholarship might interfere with other activities like sports, science, or drama, and don't want to sacrifice school time for scholarship lessons even though these are free lessons, it still occupied school time, some also prefer the local music coach they used to have.

Additionally, some schools are becoming more conscientious in selecting instruments beyond piano and violin to ensure a balanced portfolio for their music scholarship programs, such as scholar chamber music or swing bands to make the scholar exhibition more staller.

@durness How did your DD get on with GHS?

She has an offer, we’re delighted.

Our experience has definitely reinforced the sense that GHS is operating on another level musically, as she’s received four scholarship offers from other schools.

Thanks again to everyone who commented here, it was very reassuring and you were spot on with your assessments.

Anyone experienced with CEM test at GHS? What are the formats? Some parents said comprehension is very difficult? It's true

My daughter has just done the CEM at GHS. She said the comprehension is generally easier than what she was doing as practice on atom learning. It is 10 minutes for 14 questions, multiple-choice.

Deleted post as saw the OP's child has a place and didn't need advice. Congratulations

My daughter also did her CEM at GHS today. She also found comprehension easy but struggled with VR 😟
she thought it was harder than the Atom mock tests.
how did your daughter find it overall?

Hi all ,
my daughter said, comprehension was easy, VR also she mostly done it except word meaning. Some of them haven’t answered. Maths was easy but time pressured and NVR also time pressured 20 questions in 5 minutes 😒

I wonder why they do such time pressured exams, does that really allow them to understand the potential of a child? Or is the reference from their existing school quite a key factor in who they make offers to?

@mumoftwo1982 I thought it’s a combination of school reference and report, exam result and assessment day (incl creative writing & interview). I don’t think my daughter’s exam went that well 😟😬 so have to hope she can make up ground on assessment day. She struggled with the time pressure.

I agree with you. BTW in interview writing task as well? I don’t know that . They haven’t mentioned anywhere else.

my tutor advised to expect some creative writing at the assessment day at GHS.

ohh really? Thanks for letting me know 😊

Welcome to GHS....

Does anyone know when GHS offers/ results come out? Expect closer to month end? How did your DD find assessment day?

Usually end of month, I think. My DD thought the assessment day was fun - not sure what that means for any ‘assessment’ though!

Friday 30th I think

Yes. Results day on 30 th January

Do you know if it’s email or post? Our post is so unreliable!