11 Plus Exams Forum

Hi, my DD is in year 5 and I am currently home tutoring her for 11plus, aiming for Tiffin Girls.

I have not visited the school yet (plan to do that next year) but have been looking up information about the school online including this forum and mumsnet. Obviously there are lots of posts regarding the preparation, results, waiting lists etc but not many regarding parents sharing information once their DD are in the school.

If you have a DD in TGS I would like to find out if she is happy studying there? Does the school live up to your expectations in generally? Is your DD coping well, any peers pressure, bullying etc? Have you made the right choice sending her there? Are there a lot of after school or Saturday activities to attend? what time does your DD usually go home? Is she complaining about the school journey, school dinners, homework etc?

We live close to both Acton Town and South Acton stations so getting to Richmond then bus 65 seems doable within an hour, but not sure it is the right travel choice for the next 7 years, compared to some local outstanding or good schools within few stops of Piccadilly line.

When I met her current teacher for the parent evening consultation recently and talked about 11 plus the teacher commented DD is a right candidate for grammar school and she would thrive there. I do hope the same but I am aware it is a very fierce competition out there.

ATk2020 wrote:We live close to both Acton Town and South Acton stations so getting to Richmond then bus 65 seems doable within an hour, but not sure it is the right travel choice for the next 7 years, compared to some local outstanding or good schools within few stops of Piccadilly line.

It is a doable journey with several options (unless the 65 has trouble in which case South West London becomes carnage. It would be a long day but whether it is worth it depends really what your alternatives are. I am not sure what they are but of those on the Piccadilly Line that I'm aware of, unless you have strong religious credentials, is that they have their own versions of competitive entry, which can be equally insurmountable. Good luck!

Why don't you have a go at doing the journey now rather than preparing and having no plans to visit the school until next year?

You will find it a lot easier to do the preparation if your dd is excited by the prospect of going to the school and really wants to secure a place.

I am sure if you tried the journey one weekend then you would then know if it is going to be realistic. DG

Daogroupie wrote:Why don't you have a go at doing the journey now rather than preparing and having no plans to visit the school until next year?

You will find it a lot easier to do the preparation if your dd is excited by the prospect of going to the school and really wants to secure a place.

I am sure if you tried the journey one weekend then you would then know if it is going to be realistic. DG

Or better still, on a normal school day, preferably more than once. Weekend timetables may be slightly different and what you will be missing is the hordes of workers and of course Tiffin pupils.

Have a look at your own school's calendar and that of TGS; there will almost certainly be some days when your school is off but TGS has a normal working day.

Not only bus 65, journey is dependent on District line and Overground also providing timely service. Overground is usually beset with delays and cancellations.

On the basis that Piccadilly and Northern runs smoothly, even HBS would seem doable, though a bit more commute than TGS.

As for being happy at TGS, I hope Stroller, and other parents there, would add to this thread.

tiffinboys wrote:Not only bus 65, journey is dependent on District line and Overground also providing timely service. Overground is usually beset with delays and cancellations.

From where OP describes being based it is only a few stops on the E3 bus to South Ealing Road where the 65 can be picked up (possibly still with places to sit) but yes, definitely a journey to be tested at 7.30am on a school day.

tiffinboys wrote:As for being happy at TGS, I hope Stroller, and other parents there, would add to this thread.

I'm sure they will.

My daughter is still very happy at TGS. It would be good to hear from other parents too. Anyone around?

DD is able for the school and has never had a tutor. She can get to and from school easily and continues to take part in lots of things both inside and outside school. She’s generally happy in her own skin and she has made lovely friends. All of that helps.

Unhappiness can come from the cohort. You’ve no control over that, but it’s also much harder to escape in a small school and/or a small class. (Contrary to popular opinion, small class sizes can be extremely toxic, if one or more of the classmates is obnoxious).

Unhappiness can - and often does - come from outside school. I’ve written about some possible factors here.

Of course, unhappiness can also come from the school. But that’s much easier to fix - I’d expect people to walk away rapidly, if issues arise that a school can’t or won’t address. Few (none that I know of in DD’s year) leave TGS at unexpected points in the cycle, so that tells its own story.

It’s your decision. If you go for it and don’t like it, it’s bound to be easier to find a space at a non-selective school later. Good luck!

Thank you all so much for the advice and Stroller for sharing your experiences, glad to hear that your DD is happy and enjoying school. Would be good to hear more from other parents too.

Yes I am planning to experience the journey myself on a school day in December. Let’s see how it turns out.

I have discounted HBS as the journey is too much which would involve 1 train + 2 bus rides. It will add a lot of stress to daily commute and I won’t to it myself to get to work let alone a child.

Which other schools are you considering? Twyford seems to do well, if you can get in and cope with the religious angle.

It’s hugely important to put the school you want most at the top of your list. If you’re not allocated your first choice, your second choice will be treated as number one on your list. If you put a school you don’t really want at the top of the list, and you’re offered it but then change your mind, whatever was second on your list could be full by the next round of allocations. It’s a risky business.

I don’t think the journey from Acton is impossible (assuming it’s in the designated area?). Lots have more complex routes. However, trains can be flaky and traffic can be slow-moving between Richmond and TGS, so she’d need to be out early in the morning to allow a buffer.

Extra curricular activities are on this page: http://www.tiffingirls.kingston.sch.uk/ ... urricular-(1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)/Clubs-and-Societies.aspx

See the downloads box on the left for further detail. There are also drama productions and choirs/concerts and sporting fixtures, so it depends on what your daughter enjoys. Definitely get involved though - it’s a great way to meet others and develop interests.