London grammar and private senior school entry 2025 part 2

[CruCru]

Here is the new thread for when part 1 is full.

It was such a difficult decision, After thoughtful consideration, We have declined CLS and LU today—both truly outstanding schools and accepted WUS's offer

Congratulations! Also, those on waitlists would really appreciate that you didn’t hold on to offers. Previous years, there were posts showing some anguish that offers were held even though they will be rejected at deadline or last possible moments.

We completely understand how important it is for waitlisted families to hear sooner rather than later. That’s exactly why we made sure to decline the offers from CLS and LU as soon as we finalized our decision.
As 90% bursary applicants, we were especially mindful that someone deserving might benefit from the opportunity before the March first-week deadline. We didn’t want to hold on until next week’s offer holder days as it no point visiting them and still decline, Also knowing that our decision could make another family very happy. Wishing the very best to everyone still waiting—hope good news comes your way soon!

We’ve also declined the offers we are definitely a no for - one within 24 hours of receiving (as we knew it was a no before we even got an offer based on what we had!). I hope our quick declining means movement on the waitlist is sooner.

All schools have asked for us to confirm what school we did accept - which I don’t mind confirming but not sure how usual that is?

That’s great to hear! It definitely helps other families when decisions are made quickly. As for schools asking about the final choice, it seems quite common based on our experience. I think it helps them track movement and plan for future admissions. We didn’t mind sharing

I have just declined G&L, SHHS and FHRP. Hopefully the waiting lists will start to move next week! I totally agree that releasing places promptly is the right thing to do, for the schools but especially for those girls/parents on WLs. People (including us!) all apply to far too many schools it s just a crazy process…

Congrats on making the final decision! We are still struggling, so will attend the offer events in the hopes it helps us decide (dh has not seen any of them and one of them none of us toured).

Which one did you go for in the end?

Which ones are you considering SamPoodle123

DD decided to go boarding! I still need to get my head around it as where I come from boarding schools are pretty much non-existent…

Latymer Upper, Dulwich College and Emanuel w a sports scholarship.

That's a tough choice but geographically quite different...
We are choosing between Ibstock and Emanuel but think we are going Emanuel.....

Yes, we are finding it difficult. Does your dc have a preference between the two? Ours has remained neutral during the entire process. I think perhaps the holder events will help.

DC changes mind but Emanuel is easier journey and seems to get more positive reviews.
LU obvs not doing gcse which is marmite for some.
DC I know little about - apart from head of Emanuel is taking up post there.
What is the sports scholarship offering at Emanuel?

We will decline RGS (place offered for entry in Y7) and accept Hampton (Y9 entry). Hopefully this will move the WL for anyone waiting on RGS. My eldest chose RGS and we love it, but youngest had a clear preference for Hampton, and he’s his own man and I didn’t want his path to be dictated by his brother’s choices.

Will also decline KCS waitlist as my son didn’t like the school.

Glad to be at the end of this process now, and wishing well to everyone still agonising. All kids have done amazingly well to have offers, and no doubt will all find the right school for them. Can’t really go wrong with any of the schools under consideration here!

We are still undecided. Have narrowed it down to Latymer Upper, Godolphin & Latymer and Putney High, and am about to / have already declined KGS, Emanuel and Surbiton (with academic scholarship). Attending offer holders open days next week for top 3 so hoping one emerges as the favourite and that parents and child can agree on which school that is!

Good luck to all those deciding and also those on waiting lists.

Huge congrats to you and your son! We’ll be going through the entrance exam process this coming autumn, with KCS and Hampton top of our list. We haven’t visited the schools yet but had a slight preference for KCS purely based on what we’d read previously. Would you mind sharing why your son didn’t like KCS and preferred Hampton? Thanks so much

Morning all

hope the decisions are going well. Is anyone leaning more towards Alleyn’s than Dulwich?
any current parents to shed some light please or why leaning towards the one more than the other? Thank you

I’d also love to hear thoughts on CLS - pros and cons!

DS is very keen - but I’m worried he doesn’t realise how much of a change of pace it is going to be from his current through-school.

Thanks @firsttrax My son is really into his sports, particularly football, and felt (rightly or wrongly) that Hampton has a sportier vibe. Also going by the boys that have gone to each school in previous years that he knows, he was more excited by the buzz of Hampton, and the type of boy that has chosen it. He just loved the feel of it in general. He says that King’s felt “nerdy” (the words of a 10 year old and I’m sure others will disagree!). My eldest didn’t like Hampton though, and said it looked and felt like a prison (probably some truth in that 😂), and loved the idea of the freedom of walking into Guildford at lunchtime from RGS/ travelling on the train etc. With all of the schools being considered here, as other posters have said, I think it’s really about which the child has the best feel for.

Also maybe worth adding; my son is really strong in maths (not genius level) and enjoyed the maths interview at Hampton, and the challenge of the maths paper. I’m sure there are some wonderful mathematicians at KCS though!

The sports scholarship offers 10% off school fees. I need to read what else it entails.

Thanks very much @Seekingstressrelief, that’s really helpful. It ties to what we have heard from others too. So pleased that your son is excited about Hampton. It’s quite possible that both of our boys will be there in 18 months or so!

Would love to hear thoughts on KGS - pro’s and cons. Deciding between that and Emanuel and leaning more to KGS but keep going back and forth! DS is not at all sporty, loves drama and music