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old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 5:37 pm
by Ahmedfamily
Hi,

My daughter passed the first stage of Sutton grammar schools but unfortunately was unsuccessful with the second stage.

We have always considered old palace and croydon high as an option to take the test and hopefully be successful. We are now wondering what the level of testing is like for these two schools, is it true that they are not as difficult as grammar tests?

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Re: old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:20 pm
by Amoda
Hi,

Sorry to hear about your DD not getting through the 2nd stage of the Sutton Grammars. The fact that she got through the 1st stage shows that she has a lot of potential.

In terms of the Old Palace/ Croydon High papers compared to the grammar tests, I think it is less about the difficulty of the papers and more about a numbers game. Due to the sheer number of children sitting the grammar school tests for relatively few places, it means that the DC has to score very highly to gain a place. It doesn't necessarily mean that the paper is any more difficult. You just have to make fewer mistakes.

With fewer people trying for the Indies, your DD should stand a good chance, especially as she passed the SET. A very high score may not be required for these schools. Just do a few private school papers which can be downloaded from their websites and just keep things ticking over.

Your focus should also be on the interview your DD will have with the HeadTeacher/ Senior teacher.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Re: old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:56 pm
by Ahmedfamily
Thank you very much for your reply Amoda-much appreciated. We haven't really thought much about the interview to be honest, hope that doesn't sound slack or that we are too laid back. Daughter is a good communicator, has a mature attitude and I would say she is in touch with what's going on around the world today so am hoping that she can pull through, but all that said any tips from you would be greatly appreciated!

Re: old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:15 pm
by Ladymuck
Deleted.

Re: old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:52 pm
by musicmum
Hi,

Our DD took the Old Palace, Croydon High and Wallington exams last year and passed them all. Wallington was only maths and VR papers (I know the assessment procedure has changed this year), and she felt that the Croydon High and Old Palace tests weren't as difficult.

As your daughter passed the first stage of Sutton grammars I would think she stands a good chance of getting into the indies. We know of girls who didn't pass the Wallington exam last year but were offered places at indies.

The OP interview involved the Head seeing us all as a family for about 20 minutes, then spending another 20 minutes with DD on her own. DD was asked to bring something to the interview that was she proud of to talk about (she ended up taking two things, a piece of art work and a drama certificate, because she couldn't choose which was most important to her). They talked about her interests and extra-curricular activities, she was given a few reasoning questions to solve and was asked to comment on a painting. The Head is a lovely lady who is very good at putting girls at their ease, it wasn't an intimidating interview in any way. DD is now happily settled at OP and we're delighted with it so far.

As Ladymuck says, the Croydon High interview was a small group session. It was with a senior member of staff (not the Head - she was meeting the parents while the girls had their assessment). DD doesn't remember being asked anything about her interests or current affairs, she was asked to solve some anagrams and Sudoko puzzles and discuss a text.

Hope that helps a bit - good luck with your choice.

Re: old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:33 pm
by Ahmedfamily
Ladymuck wrote:Croydon High haven't done individual interviews recently, but has seen girls in groups, to discuss a text and solve some puzzles.

Exam wise, I don't think there have been any surprises, so I would continue on your stage two work. Do you have any clues as to where your dd stumbled on the 2nd stage ie was maths or English weak?
Hi ladymuck,

I was hoping to get some advice from you as reading on this forum you are very helpful with all the advice you give.

I really don't know where my daughter went wrong on the second stage, she isn't one to give much away. Daughter only sat wallington as non such seemed a bit too far distance wise. I think her problem probably was making silly mistakes. Normally her English is very good but I do wonder if she interpreted the questions the right way. I am also wondering if we were really in touch with the required standard to pass the test. I will be interested to see her score for wallington come March. She would have had to be in the top hundred anyway as out of catchment. So now we have decided to try the independents on the chance of a scholarship/bursary - otherwise it's local schools which aren't so great. I have come to realise that it's not the end of the world, she will do well. I suppose when you care so much about your child's education you just want them to be in the better environment where the majority of the children have the strive and motivation.

Sorry for my long essay, I will be making more use of this forum as my son is in year 5 so have to go through all this process again! :shock:

Re: old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:44 pm
by Ahmedfamily
Phank you very much musicmum for your input and words of encouragement, much appreciated. I think I will be more nervous than my daughter!

We did attend an open afternoon at old palace, we loved it and yes the head seemed very lovely, friendly and down to earth. I am just hoping that all goes well. My daughter has been more drawn to old palace since the start of this whole secondary process, I really hope she is successful. :)

Re: old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:46 pm
by Ahmedfamily
Sorry for any typo's - using phone!

Re: old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:06 pm
by Ladymuck
IDeleted.

Re: old palace & croydon high school entrance exam

Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2014 10:54 pm
by musicmum
As your daughter is drawn to OP, it's worth knowing that the school also gives awards for strong performance in particular areas, which can be held at the same time as a scholarship - so for example a girl could be offered 25% academic scholarship and an additional 12.5% Head's award for maths, or an additional 18% for performance in the reasoning tests.