SW London Grammar and private senior school entry 2026

[firsttrax]

Setting up this thread for those of us with DC joining year 7 SW London schools in 2026.

We’re planning to apply to KCS, Hampton, Epsom and Reed’s.

Have been living in Dubai for three years, returning in August for year 6 at DS’ old prep school.

DS has an online tutor focussing on exam technique and any gaps in the curriculum, plus Atom. Current school is great but definitely not preparing him for 11+!

Did both of those say the 13th, or did they not specify?

Anyone got any tips for communicating bad news to DCs? Ours leaves for a scout camp on the afternoon of the 13th, and, if she hasn't got into her top choice, I don't really want to tell her and then send her off. She's also asked me not to look at my email on Friday 13th because it's bad luck. So I could just wait and tell her news when she gets back, but it feels dishonest...

That’s a tricky one.

I think my child would spend the whole camp worrying about whether she’d got in or not. So she would probably rather know ahead of the camp, even if it was bad news.

But this will definitely vary between kids - so have the discussion about what would be worse for her, knowing bad news or not knowing either way.

If she’d prefer to not know either way, then you have to agree you won’t tell her if it’s good news either or she’ll draw the obvious conclusion if you say nothing !!

Congratulations!! Must be a nice feeling to have one in hand so early!

Interesting that Ibstock has released offers so early - they used to be one of the late ones (so much so that they would be the last ones on the Friday before half term...). So maybe a cautionary tale that timings from previous years don't necessarily reflect what would happen this year.

Ibstock said at application stage that results would be out on the 6th if I’m not mistaken! We were expecting them today infact :) Surbiton’s offer last week was completely unexpected- they got in the earliest from all the schools we applied for and I must say, overall, their outreach has been amazing through this whole process. We have been very impressed with their engagement so far.

Not in the process this year, so was not aware of Ibstock comms. Tbh, they being the last ones in previous years (and a somewhat off approach to comms) played rather negatively, so it seems that they have reconsidered.

Fair enough! Yes, I had heard similar from other parents who went through two years ago.

Yes Ibstock and Harrodian both stated they would send emails today

We got Ibstock offer but not Harrodian - he was particularly stroppy that morning I am not surprised 😂

good luck all!!!

For those who received Ibstock offers, the email stated that a further email with offer details would follow shortly - has anyone received this yet? Just want to make sure I haven’t missed anything!

No second email yet. I would imagine it won’t come until much later

Our second email from Ibstock came through to my junk oddly. Maybe look there?

Yes just came though our end too! Thank you :)

Exactly the same for us too!

lovely touch the personalised page

good luck all x

Glad Ibstock have improved their comms! When DD applied the offers came at the end of half term, a week later than everyone else and the letter basically said ‘you have a place, we hope you accept but please read the school rules first.’ No congratulations, well done etc etc. Was bizarre! In contrast, Surbiton’s was a master in marketing. We found the letter the other day- referencing all DDs extra curricular stuff that I don’t think she did at all after Primary School!

Yes good on Ibstock. I wasn’t expecting it tbh to come today

Kew House letters on the post for anyone interested 🙂

The wait until Friday is excruciating. Anyone have an idea re Alleyn's email timings based on prior years? One of the staff members at interview said don't read anything into timing as they're sent out in batches. This was unprompted - I hadn't asked.

Did anyone’s child get in the post the Ibstock letter? Did it also say ‘we particularly enjoyed your creative writing piece on friendship’ I doubt they could tailor it for everyone etc, but feels a bit insincere to put it in everyone’s right

We got the Ibstock letter, it was personalised with exactly what he wrote about in the creative writing piece. Very impressive comms

They are probably working harder this year, as previous years they had disaster with admissions communications.

Some schools make more of an effort and some don't do much (because they don't have to). We noticed this with our 2 dc.

We got the letter today, also with the correct reference in the creative writing comment. I know another kid who got theirs but cannot even remember doing the writing so doesn't know if theirs was accurate :-)

I was so impressed that the letter from Ibstock was tailored to my DD’s creative writing theme as well!

But was it actually or did they all talk about their create writing?

nonetheless clearly trying to make an effort which is good