NLCS admission

[Peppa2017]

My daughter is going to be going through the nlcs assessment this year (4+). I have seen some old threads on here but does anyone have recent information as to what the assessment consists of? Would really appreciate assistance with this

[Peppa2017]

Hi all, further to my earlier post does anyone have any information? Any help would be really appreciated.

[Dancergirl]

I have friends with dds there. You really can't prepare for the assessment, the school know what they are looking for. If your dd is right for the school she will be offered a place, if she's not she won't.

[Peppa2017]

Thanks dance girl for your response. Are your friends dds happy at the school? Also apart from what is on the NLCS website do you know what the school is looking for?

[Dancergirl]

Bright inquisitive girls basically. Be warned the school is VERY pushy even in the first years. In Year 1 most of the girls were being privately tutored for Maths My friend didn't do this but then she noticed her dd falling behind so she felt she was forced to go down the tutor route too.

Personally I would say unless your local state schools are really dire, it is not worth paying for private primary. Save the money for secondary.

[Peppa2017]

Thanks dance girl. Does anyone else have any information on the NLCS assessment and also can anyone advise if there is a culture of private tutoring once you are in the school?

[microscope]

You really can't prepare for the assessment, the school know what they are looking for.

sorry, that's rubbish. many of the girls will be at nurseries like Clowns that spend three months preparing them. others will have gone to tutors like mumteacher for a year in advance.

OP I would suggest you search for the threads called 3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ support -there has been one a year for the last few years and they have loads of info. ignore those telling you to just rock up with a bright chatty girl and she'll get in.

[Peppa2017]

Thanks microscope. Have you been through the process with your child as you seem to know a fair bit about this? Also do you know whether there is a culture of tutoring once you are in the school?

[microscope]

don't know about that but I wouldn't be surprised (re tutoring when in)

yes I did the 4+ and went with the "bright chatty child, no need to prepare". Except they have 9 other bright chatty children for each space, most of whom have been prepared. Suffice to say it wan't a good experience.

[Dancergirl]

ignore those telling you to just rock up with a bright chatty girl and she'll get in

That's not what I am saying AT ALL, you misunderstand me. The point is, even with the best preparation in the world, the school will only take the girls they think are right for the school. Girls who come from Clowns and other nurseries that prepare, the same applies to them.

OP, aside from any preparation you may do, have an look at your dd (who is only 3 I presume?) and ask yourself honestly if she would thrive in that sort of environment.

What other schools are you considering?

[microscope]

sorry if I misunderstood - you said that with a bright inquisitive girl you can't prepare - I don't agree with that.

Places like clowns and tutors regularly get 75% of their girls who sit for places like NLCS and Habs into these schools. of course it isn't a guarantee but it's a great improvement on the starting odds of often less than 10%

[Dancergirl]

They may get them in microscope but will they cope once they get there? Hence the high numbers who are being privately tutored to keep up.

[microscope]

I personally know lots of girls who have been tutored to get into these sorts of schools. They are all doing fine several years on. It is so common as to be pretty much normal - most of the class will have been thoroughly prepared for these assessments.

[Peppa2017]

Thank you. Microscope did your daughter mention what they asked her to do as part of the assessment?

[microscope]

It's all ages ago now so I don't really remember - look at those threads I suggested, all the info is there now. They do like them to be able to draw a person and write their name.

[PineBarren]

Hi - our daughter has just finished Reception. Prior to NLCS she did a year in a standard London state school nursery and had no tutoring or preparation at all for the assessment. She eventually told us the following about the assessments, and she used the word "playing" most - she spoke about playing with a football, doing a jigsaw, cutting and sticking, listening to a story and talking about it, sorting out some blocks and bricks, talking about what she likes doing and who her friends were, and she chose something to play with from a pile and had to say why she picked it. That's about all we got - but she came out relaxed and unstressed both times.
Regarding the culture the pace is fast and pretty intense, but the support is fantastic and the nurturing side is all there. The girls are a mixed bunch - introverts/extroverts, some clearly bright but plenty quiet and shy.
There are some pushy, hyper-competitive parents but also some perfectly nice normal ones.
I hope that helps.

[Peppa2017]

Thank you so much that is really helpful!!

[FanDabbyFloozy]

I have children who are not at NLCS, not have we ever sat to enter at any age. Do be aware that girls will be counselled out/encouraged to leave if they don't keep up with every aspect of the curriculum during primary and not just at 11+. I know this for a fact, knowing individuals involved.

The tutoring happens because the parents are warned that it will happen a few terms in advance, so start extra tuition to prevent that. One parent refused to go down that route, took their advice and left. The child is very happy at a slightly less selective school.

[angelpuffs]

Hi Peppa
Girls are definitely tutored throughout NLCS. I went to a 4+ school in action morning there recently and spoke to one of the parents who was serving tea and coffee. I asked her this very question, and she told me that most of the girls were tutored from reception, but none of the parents really talk openly about it. Her daughter was in year 5.

[clubnirvana]

there are 2 schools of thoughts of this.
those who can not live with themselves if they had not "tutored" their child
and
those who think it should not be needed. i.e. it was meant to be or not meant to be.

my own view is that tutoring is a big waste of money...hard cash payment...as some like to receive it as (don't tell hmrc!). i think it is better use to burn the money than to hand it over to a tutor who feeds on our fear of failure to get our lovely DC into schools like NLCS.

but then, if parents had not use a "tutor" and DC failed to get in, then parents would blame themselves.

however, looking at the rejected candidates and those who were accepted, something stands out with the girls who got in. they all have that extra special characteristic (sparkle) that makes them stand out of the crowd. the quiet shy type should not apply.

in hindsight, i wish my daughter was at a "normal" non-elite private school.
why? i am not in fintech, finance, medical or law field and I did not attend oxbridge/LSE/imperial like most of the other parents.
I would rather mingle with "normal" (i.e. humble) parents. those that know what is a pint of milk or a loaf of bread. knows how the other 95% of the UK population lives.

so my own advice. do not pay anyone hard cash notes to have your child tutor. follow the advice given by other mums on what to teach your child 12-24 months before the assessment date. i.e. colouring/finger grip/scissors/jigsaws/playdates/social interaction with other kids/etc
if your daughter does not get into NLCS, it could be a blessing in disguise. like FanDabbyFloozy said if they can not keep up they will have to leave, but will end up with a happier child and less stressful life for the whole family. good luck and give the NLCS assessment your best shot!

[horsemadmom]

I agree with quite a lot of the above post- except ever for a moment regretting sending my DDs to NLCS. Tutoring has become a monster that feeds off itself. When DD1 went in at 4+, I didn't know anyone who tutored for the entrance or subsequently. Only one girl was asked to 'consider' whether it was a good fit at 7 and another one at 11+. Anecdotal evidence suggests (and I've heard contradictory things from the school itself about numbers), that since tutoring became seen as necessary more girls are being asked to leave. This just seems like a counter-productive mass hysteria. An idiotic arms race!
My suggestion- don't tutor! If the school is the right fit, your DD will get in. If the school is the right fit, your DD will stay in. If your DD hits bumps in the academic road, let the school sort her out instead of paying (again!) for for external help.