Page 8 | London grammar and private senior school entry 2025 part 2

CruCru · 2025-02-11T17:34:30+00:00

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

TidyLion · 14/02/2025 11:12

Seekingstressrelief · 14/02/2025 11:02

And also so dependent on the day/ how they feel about the school etc. Mine got a “no” from the school that we had as our “back-up” and thought was a dead cert, which came a week before the others and really rattled him (and us!)

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And whilst it’s cold comfort today, I know, DCs have done brilliantly to get through exams, interviews etc. it’s an awful lot and easy to forget they are ten and eleven years old.

TidyLion · 14/02/2025 11:17

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who have brought solidarity, insights and humour to the whole process 🌷

11quandary · 14/02/2025 11:24

11PlusCraziness · 14/02/2025 10:43

I assumed it must be a satirical post because surely nobody would be that emotionally tone deaf....🙄

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The excitement must have got them carried away...don't take the bragging messages personally, we all know there are quite intense people in the process unaware of the concept of humility.

I will always remember a teacher told my mum that top academic children are not the ones that tend to have the most successful work life's.

We are getting a real mix of results, from No/Yes/Academic scholarship offer for a top school. It makes no sense, it's the same child..Everything will work out for all DC, just have to keep an open mind regardless the results today

Lilactimes · 14/02/2025 11:35

11quandary · 14/02/2025 11:24

The excitement must have got them carried away...don't take the bragging messages personally, we all know there are quite intense people in the process unaware of the concept of humility.

I will always remember a teacher told my mum that top academic children are not the ones that tend to have the most successful work life's.

We are getting a real mix of results, from No/Yes/Academic scholarship offer for a top school. It makes no sense, it's the same child..Everything will work out for all DC, just have to keep an open mind regardless the results today

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Good luck - I remember it being a stressful time for me and my DC… mine wasn’t so successful as some.. and it was a struggle.
However she ended up getting truly amazing A levels and is now at Uni … having not got into a top private secondary and struggling at that period. … It works out I think if you listen to the child and what they feel comfortable with.

Heidi245 · 14/02/2025 11:38

LU emails coming through…

venice24 · 14/02/2025 11:42

Nothing for us yet. Are people getting both yes and no at this point or shall we safely assume it's a no for us?

Heidi245 · 14/02/2025 11:43

venice24 · 14/02/2025 11:42

Nothing for us yet. Are people getting both yes and no at this point or shall we safely assume it's a no for us?

Don’t assume anything - emails come through at different times.

11quandary · 14/02/2025 11:47

venice24 · 14/02/2025 11:42

Nothing for us yet. Are people getting both yes and no at this point or shall we safely assume it's a no for us?

@venice24 We got a yes minutes ago, best of luck

Cleta · 14/02/2025 11:49

We have received offers including our top choice which is Kings College 🥳🥳🥳🥳🧿🧿🧿
Wish the best for all Dc’s and a happy half term break.

venice24 · 14/02/2025 11:50

Huge congratulations!!!

DagaDiga · 14/02/2025 11:54

This time of year brings a mix of emotions, and for many parents, there may have been disappointment alongside the good news. We were in that position just yesterday not getting an offer from Forest School, so I truly understand how tough it can be, I couldn't sleep well at all and I also understand that it isn't end of the world if our DCs didn't get any offers at all as I believe there is always a right school waiting for them.
That’s why I want to share our news with a lot of gratitude and humility—after the setback, we have now received two offers one from CLS( still waiting on the bursary amount which apparently come in post) and LU with a 90% bursary. We are over the moon, but also deeply appreciative of the support and kind words from this community. Your encouragement meant so much, and I want to send the same positivity to those still waiting or facing difficult decisions. I will also write a detail post later next month on how bursaries work, our experiences and which schools are most likely to give financial assistance and the % one can expect based in their household income/assets/etc.. Wishing the very best to all families on this journey!

QuiteAJourney · 14/02/2025 11:56

DagaDiga · 14/02/2025 11:54

This time of year brings a mix of emotions, and for many parents, there may have been disappointment alongside the good news. We were in that position just yesterday not getting an offer from Forest School, so I truly understand how tough it can be, I couldn't sleep well at all and I also understand that it isn't end of the world if our DCs didn't get any offers at all as I believe there is always a right school waiting for them.
That’s why I want to share our news with a lot of gratitude and humility—after the setback, we have now received two offers one from CLS( still waiting on the bursary amount which apparently come in post) and LU with a 90% bursary. We are over the moon, but also deeply appreciative of the support and kind words from this community. Your encouragement meant so much, and I want to send the same positivity to those still waiting or facing difficult decisions. I will also write a detail post later next month on how bursaries work, our experiences and which schools are most likely to give financial assistance and the % one can expect based in their household income/assets/etc.. Wishing the very best to all families on this journey!

Such lovely message (and very happy for you and your family especially after yesterday's news and treatment by Forest)

11quandary · 14/02/2025 12:02

DagaDiga · 14/02/2025 11:54

This time of year brings a mix of emotions, and for many parents, there may have been disappointment alongside the good news. We were in that position just yesterday not getting an offer from Forest School, so I truly understand how tough it can be, I couldn't sleep well at all and I also understand that it isn't end of the world if our DCs didn't get any offers at all as I believe there is always a right school waiting for them.
That’s why I want to share our news with a lot of gratitude and humility—after the setback, we have now received two offers one from CLS( still waiting on the bursary amount which apparently come in post) and LU with a 90% bursary. We are over the moon, but also deeply appreciative of the support and kind words from this community. Your encouragement meant so much, and I want to send the same positivity to those still waiting or facing difficult decisions. I will also write a detail post later next month on how bursaries work, our experiences and which schools are most likely to give financial assistance and the % one can expect based in their household income/assets/etc.. Wishing the very best to all families on this journey!

Congratulations, the LU bursary is such amazing news!!! You must be so proud!! So happy that you received such good news today! Well done to your DC

Spottedplant · 14/02/2025 12:03

We've got one offer with academic scholarship, two no's, one waitlists so far. I wanted to come on and say that, because there will be people who haven't got what they wanted or are worried that three no's mean they messed up on the day. So our spread of results seems quite varied - they are all consortium schools BTW. Not everyone gets 5 scholarships or nothing at all.

Worth remembering that the head of your prep school will have literally listed all this year's children and where you are applying, and thought hmm who do I think is suited to Frances Holland / G&L / NHE etc etc... and spent her social capital getting a specific 3-4 children offers at each school. Because for them it is a longer game than one year. They don't enthusiastically back every pupil to every school. It is all about providing the senior schools with a consistent type of pupil that can reliably fit in, each year eveyr year, to maintain the reputation of the prep and good relationships. And about providing the cohort of parents with the comfy feeling that everyone gets in somewhere nice and nobody is left out.

So with a generally OK exam result and if they didn't pick their nose in the interview, your child's offers depend on the recommendations. You may well just get the one offer - from the school that your current school is, behind the scenes, recommending your actual specific child to attend.

Good luck and may your children enjoy happy, healthy teenage years wherever they go x

seniorschoolchoices · 14/02/2025 12:05

Hampton ✅✅✅hooray!

SamPoodle123 · 14/02/2025 12:05

Heidi245 · 14/02/2025 11:38

LU emails coming through…

Finally for us too! The wait felt like forever!!

TidyLion · 14/02/2025 12:06

DagaDiga · 14/02/2025 11:54

This time of year brings a mix of emotions, and for many parents, there may have been disappointment alongside the good news. We were in that position just yesterday not getting an offer from Forest School, so I truly understand how tough it can be, I couldn't sleep well at all and I also understand that it isn't end of the world if our DCs didn't get any offers at all as I believe there is always a right school waiting for them.
That’s why I want to share our news with a lot of gratitude and humility—after the setback, we have now received two offers one from CLS( still waiting on the bursary amount which apparently come in post) and LU with a 90% bursary. We are over the moon, but also deeply appreciative of the support and kind words from this community. Your encouragement meant so much, and I want to send the same positivity to those still waiting or facing difficult decisions. I will also write a detail post later next month on how bursaries work, our experiences and which schools are most likely to give financial assistance and the % one can expect based in their household income/assets/etc.. Wishing the very best to all families on this journey!

More wonderful news. Huge congratulations x

SamPoodle123 · 14/02/2025 12:07

venice24 · 14/02/2025 11:42

Nothing for us yet. Are people getting both yes and no at this point or shall we safely assume it's a no for us?

The emails for LU seem to be sent in batches....making their way. We just got ours 30 mins ago....a yes. A friend got reserve list, so we know a mix of outcomes being sent.

venice24 · 14/02/2025 12:08

@DagaDiga Such fantastic news! Really well done!

Zestmeister · 14/02/2025 12:09

@Spottedplant this is useful advice, but gosh it really highlights the uphill struggle the state school applicants have! So extra congratulations to those who have received offers who are not at a prep school providing support behind the scenes. At our state school one couldn’t even mention to the teachers you were applying to private schools. No advice as to where to apply, no prep for the exams and no recommendations going on behind the scenes!

venice24 · 14/02/2025 12:10

@SamPoodle123 Thank you so much! They may well be going by school. Congratulations!

Fortius · 14/02/2025 12:11

SPGS is out

SamPoodle123 · 14/02/2025 12:12

venice24 · 14/02/2025 12:10

@SamPoodle123 Thank you so much! They may well be going by school. Congratulations!

Yes, that could be the case.

11PlusCraziness · 14/02/2025 12:13

Spottedplant · 14/02/2025 12:03

We've got one offer with academic scholarship, two no's, one waitlists so far. I wanted to come on and say that, because there will be people who haven't got what they wanted or are worried that three no's mean they messed up on the day. So our spread of results seems quite varied - they are all consortium schools BTW. Not everyone gets 5 scholarships or nothing at all.

Worth remembering that the head of your prep school will have literally listed all this year's children and where you are applying, and thought hmm who do I think is suited to Frances Holland / G&L / NHE etc etc... and spent her social capital getting a specific 3-4 children offers at each school. Because for them it is a longer game than one year. They don't enthusiastically back every pupil to every school. It is all about providing the senior schools with a consistent type of pupil that can reliably fit in, each year eveyr year, to maintain the reputation of the prep and good relationships. And about providing the cohort of parents with the comfy feeling that everyone gets in somewhere nice and nobody is left out.

So with a generally OK exam result and if they didn't pick their nose in the interview, your child's offers depend on the recommendations. You may well just get the one offer - from the school that your current school is, behind the scenes, recommending your actual specific child to attend.

Good luck and may your children enjoy happy, healthy teenage years wherever they go x

With all due respect, I'm not sure this is entirely accurate. Prep heads - beyond writing references - have no influence on the initial offers made to kids. We were told this time and again by Admissions teams, and by our prep head themself. And if it were true that they were going in to bat for a child only on one school that they thought was a good fit, that wouldn't explain some children receiving 4 or 6 or 8 offers.

The time a Prep head can (with the right head) be useful is if a child doesn't have a place, or is WL and may agree to make a call for them.

But the idea that they have any influence over initial offers beyond references would - I think - be strongly refuted by Admissions teams.

Spottedplant · 14/02/2025 12:14

Zestmeister · 14/02/2025 12:09

@Spottedplant this is useful advice, but gosh it really highlights the uphill struggle the state school applicants have! So extra congratulations to those who have received offers who are not at a prep school providing support behind the scenes. At our state school one couldn’t even mention to the teachers you were applying to private schools. No advice as to where to apply, no prep for the exams and no recommendations going on behind the scenes!

Completely. I totally agree. I feel it's important that we are all very much aware of the capitalist racket that exists behind the lot of it, to be honest! Many congratulations to state school candidates and parents who've gone it alone. And here's to a future socialist government that would find a way to make society fairer for everyone. It'll take a while tho....