Habs Girls 11+ interviews

[TheWrongBus]

Hello, has anyone been through the Habs Girls 11+ process in recent years?

DD sat the assessments this week and they’re due to let us know by mid-December if she’ll be called for interview in Jan.

They say that on the same day they like to hold a meeting with one or both parents to check Habs would be a good fit.

My question is: when they confirm they want to interview do they just give you a time and date? Or are you able to request/sign up to a time and date that works for you?

I fear it’s the former (they weren’t accommodating when I asked if DD could sit the assessments on the second day due to the first due to unalterable work commitments). I feel both DH and I should ideally be there if DD is called to interview but we both work and the juggle is quite difficult- we definitely can’t block out our calendars for the whole 2 week interview period!

Also, any tips on the interview or on the parent meeting would be much appreciated (though it’s by no means a given DD will be called in). Thank you!

I heard that what they are really checking is whether or not you will be able to afford the fees for 7 years.

The interview is really odd. It’s a group interview with lots of parents - generally quite tiger parents all vying to be “seen”. It put us right off.

I can’t remember the logistics side of it (was two years ago) but it was during the day. I WFH so it wasn’t an issue for me but husband couldn’t make it.

Gosh that’s really odd! I did think it was a lot for them to get through individual interviews for all the parents ask well as the candidates, and now I know how they do it.

Can you remember anything about what they asked? Am really struggling to picture it, or understand how it helps anyone in the decision-making process.

There were about 20 of us and it was more like a Q&A to be honest. They weren’t looking to find out anything personal about us. I’m actually really not sure what it was to be honest. Just ridiculously odd and it felt like a waste of my time 😂😂😂

I left feeling that we were just a number in a highly oversubscribed machine. I will add that my best friend’s daughter ended up going there (a different year to mine), also had a strange interview experience, but her child is loving it and really thriving. A very different experience once you’re in the school I think.

Thanks, that’s really helpful as now I know we shouldn’t kill ourselves making sure we can both attend!

Hi all, any tips for the interviews for the girls school? Thanks

Thanks for your insight, everyone. We're considering applying to this school for 11+.

No parent interviews this year. Child had interview set on fixed date and time. Was few usual questions on hobbies and school subjects. Then a story to read through and answer Qns. My daughter didn’t find it difficult.

she got through and got scholarship.
really enjoyed their offer holder day.

only thing is they have had teachers striking in last few weeks, so maybe speak to some of the teachers on open day.

my granddaughter is at Habs and loves it. Been there since she was 4 and is going into yr 10 next term. Pastoral care is excellent. The teachers have been striking because their pension terms have been changed. .

Habs? Is that London ir their Welsh base and do you need to interview if joining at 4?

Could you share some information about the school environment, if possible?🙏We are considering Queenwood, NLCS, St Helen's, and HABS. HABS looks quite worrying, though..

https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/26125691.haberdashers-teachers-strike-fire-rehire-tactics/