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+!

Hampton prep head left to work in TPS .
TPS head left to Felton fleet .
TPS Became co-Ed

I’m not sure why your DC can’t sit exams on two consecutive days. When DS did 11+ there were kids sitting two exams on the same day. That was full on!

Interview dates are pretty fixed too but most schools know there are clashes and so ask so that there aren’t double bookings.

DC says they can do exam in 2 days in body and flesh . But their mind willbe else where .

I am surprised it’s flu season . Should be allowance for sick kids for example , if with doctor notes .

@Ayaboo for all the years that the Entrance Exams have been held, flu hasn't been an issue - even when they were held in January, pre-COVID.

Schools that use ISEB don't require the children sit it for each school... its centralised results allow every school that the child has applied to to access the results and decide if they will ask to interview and check Maths, English, Verbal or Non-Verbal reasoning levels or move straight to offer... offers made just before Feb half term holidays

Thanks we signed up for iseb already .
but KGS has own tests

RGS has own test and 2 interviews
More complicated than KGS

@Ayaboo-Pre Covid exams were historically all held around the same time. Latymer and St Paul’s were often the same day and the schools knew this and you could ask for morning or afternoon session. When DD did 11 plus, most of the girls schools and Co-Ed’s were 1 week in January. Loads took more than 1 exam a day.

Thank u
good to know there is option for am or pm

some mum told me she got into W by teaching daughter to say W is the only one she wants and applied . During interview .!

so I guess in this case school will find out if she suddenly asking to change slot to afternoon instead of morning .

2 days in a row is normal ! As pp say sometimes kids have two exams on one day, that’s tough but they manage.

If they are sick on the day there will be a back up exam date available (but only one).

Saying X school is the only one you want absolutely does not get you an offer! They all know you are applying to multiple schools. They may ask some questions at interview like “why do you like this school” and “where else did you apply” to suss out whether this is a favourite or just a back up.

@Ayaboo there is a lot of competitive parenting linked to entrance exams. You can't believe everything that people tell you.

Schools have very established processes and children land in the right places for them. If the children started trotting out stock answers in interviews, the teachers would know how to ask follow up questions that would uncover their true reasoning & understanding. "Training" children to parrot answers won't help them to get into the right school for them

🙂

@Ayaboo RGS only do 2 interviews if there are lower scores in exam papers and they want to give the benefit of the doubt and give a second chance to show their potential. If the exam outcomes and first interview are good, there won’t be another interview

This sounds so humane .

kgs meaning no need to move home .

RGS means move home . and lost all current friends . Until making new friends .

CLSB would be ok . As granny living there — can crush over night.

@Ayaboo boys do travel from Kingston to Guildford on the train... well, getting train from Surbiton direct. Your DC won't be the only one not moving without a large group of existing friends. My DS joined RGS only knowing 1 other boy... within the first half term he had his tribe of 6 and they are still close friends years later. DS made other friends, along the way through his interests.

Sounds like the most important thing is to visit the schools on the Open Days and get a feel for which schools fit your DC. All the online research in the world won't be as valuable as visiting and speaking to the teachers and current pupils.

Thanks we will go visit both .
we are from South Asia so bit scared in Guilford we will stand out . By looking at instgram pictures of Epsom / RGS

@Ayaboo there are boys who either moved directly from South Asia/NE Asia to the RGS Guildford. Its a school with global presence (RGS Nanhai, Dubai, Qatar and relationship with an academy in India), so everyone blends together

@Ayaboo have a look at the RGS Guildford Facebook page or have a look at the recent Pilgrim's Challenge Insta (https://www.instagram.com/pilgrimschallenge2026?igsh=NG5yYmloaGZnbmo3) A good blend of backgrounds and well-rounded boys