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+!

Yes, we know of two boys offered from the waitlist at two other schools but nothing from KGS. Perhaps they over offered more than usual this year, or had an unusually high acceptance rate, or a combination of the two? I’m getting the impression they might not go to the waitlist at all😬

@Surbimum have you proactively expressed your keen interest to the school? That you are willing to accept as soon as an offer lands. I've seen it helps sometimes.

Thank you, I have (multiple times!) Just keeping my fingers crossed now, but approaching their midday deadline and it’s looking like they don’t need to go the waitlist ☹️

I see. Good luck @Surbimum I hope things work out for you!

Anyone been offered a waitlist place from Alleyns?

I have reached out to them immediately after the outcome email as well not sure how helpful this is as they do not disclose any information about the waiting list. Feeling less hopeful now as well, but as the deadline is approaching they might reach out to some on WL tomorrow. Good luck to everyone who are still waiting

There doesn't seem to be much movement on PHS or G&L waitlist this year (I heard from friends)

Same with WHS, as far as we know, from friends waiting for an opening.

Same with CLS, sadly

Seems like CLS made some offers starting from Friday, wishing you good news soon

Our friends DD got a PHS spot through the waitlist on Monday.

KGS had nudged people to complete forms/decline offers yesterday.

I heard there has been movement on WHS waitlist today

RGS Vs KGS v Dulwich.
may I ask what is diversity alike

Hi @Ayaboo. Do you mean Reigate Grammar School or Royal Grammar School, Guildford, when you say RGS?

The latter thanks

Can’t speak for RGS and KGS but there is a reasonable amount of diversity at Dulwich - not as much as at London state schools but quite a bit more than some other London privates.

Maybe as boarding and Visa for students
but location I don’t feel safe . And hard to get to London

Some mum told me Dulwich stem is not strong I was very surprised to hear this

Anything London inde secondary route to medicine alike epsom but more serious and more diverse and more academic

@Ayaboo Royal Grammar School Guildford is a day school - no boarding.

It has decent diversity (around 1/3 non-Caucasian) and is an academic school - a broad church with no stereotype students, bright boys with a range of interests. Plenty of Upper Sixth do move on to study STEM courses at university.

RGS Guildford will begin to become co-ed from 2027 (first girls into Sixth Form)

RGS and KGS exam dates are next to each other on calendar.

Feel like should choose only 1 just to save the stress of 2 days exams in a row for kids

can’t believe Epsom has no exam !

Heard now KGS : wider range of abilities ?

we have to let go of Dulwich also as their exam date is right before kings . Kids will be too tired for kings after Dulwich .

When are their exams? I didn't see the exam date for KGS website.

Epsom has ISEB right?

Epsom and St John’s leatherhead have ISEB, they don’t need any more info in order to make an offer, the number of dc sitting exams at so many schools but then rejecting so many offers means a centralised system will result in the same number of acceptances without the cost of holding exams. The fact that Hampton now takes everyone from Hampton Prep, Reeds is going co-ed from 2027 and RGS from 2028 shows that getting the numbers in the door to pay the deposit for year 7 is the main concern for secondary schools - a simplified admissions system helps everyone.

KGS 6 nov
RGS 7 nov
so we delete RGS !

W is not publishing date just saying Jan 2027 .

kings is like : none negotiable with exam date ! Take it or leave it .

although I suspect interview dates is much more negotiable ?