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+!

Is anyone still waiting for Alleyn's?

Yep still waiting here. A friend didn’t hear from them till 4pm last year (and it was a yes) so trying to remain patient and optimistic!

Thank you, I'll take that!

Also waiting on alleyns. 4 kids from our school are waiting though one of them got a no this morning.

Offers for SHHS, NH&E, Godolphin & St Margaret's. No for SPGS. Glad the wait is over. Now for tough decisions.

Still waiting on Alleyns too. All others are yes for us. Need to know what route we're going down.

Very similar except we are SHHS, Godolphin, and LEH, which way are you leaning?

Probably Godolphin or SHHS.

SHHS is probably the most convenient commute for us, and we're coming from state and a classmate also has an offer, so DD would have someone she knows which is a bonus.

Will attend the offer days with DD and to get her final feelings on them, as she wasn't able to attend all the open days.

Congratulations to everyone with offers! We got a waiting list for KGS. I sent them an email to let them know we would immediately accept should the offer becomes available for us. Also called them but the lady was rather apologetic and said they don't have rankings for waiting lists. Does anyone has waiting list experience with KGS?

Two years back, my cousins daughter was on the WL and got a call in July. However, her daughter was already happy with another school and they had a few bonding days and she made some friends so they decided to let it go. But she had been constantly calling and emailing for a couple of months after the the deadline. They don't really have rankings. Its all about who shows more interest because they are all at a similar academic level. Did she have a maths or english focussed interview.

Thank you for your reply! She had general interview but was very anxious, this made us think she will probably end up in waiting list. We have a plan B offer so not that disappointed. Just trying to work out what are the odds

Alleyns email finally through at 3.45… right at school pick up time 🤪 happily it was a yes. Hopefully everyone has heard now?

Alleyn's offer didn't come through until 5pm! luckily was a yes at least.

We still haven't heard from Alleyn's!

Finally, a yes from Alleyn's! It's been a long day, well done everyone.

Congratulations to everyone, and I hope that there are very happy DCs and adults alike this evening. What a slog it has been! Finally, time for some celebration 🙂

We were wait listed for my older one. I resisted the urge to contact them much then sent one email to say I’d noted their request for people not to get in touch but wanted to say we felt strongly it was the school for him. He got an offer on the day state offers came out. Best of luck!

If it was a general interview, she stands a great chance.

We received positive from GL and FHRP as well. We have given up our offer from SHHS and FHRP already and probably give up our offer from GL and accept CLSG on Monday.
I hope all those with multiple offers do let go quickly so that those DC who are waiting on WL are given some good news soon.
wishing all a very happy half term and thank you all for being amazing support.

@Surbimum are you at a private junior school/prep school? If so then this is exactly the situation where your Head should go into bat for your son, saying KGS is your son’s favourite and explaining that he was aware the interview didn’t reflect his usual sparkling self. If you’re at state then make this call yourself. Good luck!

DS got a place at Hampton, KGS and Emanuel but on the waitlist for KCS. The email stated we will hear after acceptance date about any updates. Is it worth contacting KCS and current school too ? The email stated they won’t let us know rank.

Yes if on waitlist for your preferred school, it is worth emailing and letting them know they are your favourite and you will accept immediately if offered. There are very unlikely to be WL offers (if any) until close to acceptance date or after - but good to let them know in the meantime that you are keen as schools obviously prefer to make offers that will be accepted, especially if going to WL.

Yes, always worth telling them you will accept immediately if offered a place. I have heard of a couple scenarios where places were offered prior to deadline. One of the schools was St Paul's and forgot the other. But in any case I would first send an email and then follow up with a call a week later.

We’re over the moon that DS received four fantastic offers in the end. We’ve accepted KGS, where he’ll join our DD, and released the other three. It’s been such a long and arduous process for all DCs and us parents. Good luck to you all in deciding which place to accept! Happy half term!