Private Schools 11 plus

[dedication]

Hi
I am new to all this and hope somebody can help me.
It is my intention to put my child in an independent school at 11 plus. I am thinking in Highgate School.
I know how difficult it is to get a place but can somebody tell me what the school look for in a child and what I can do to help him.
My child has a private tutor at the moment and is doing fine so far.
What sort of level the school look for? (level 4a/5c/5b/5a?).
Thank you

[Kizza2]

Hi we are looking for an independant school as well and are considering Merchant Taylors.

Schools have an exam which pupil needs to pass, based on that you have to demonstrate that you will abide by the schools code of practice and ethos. My son also has to attend an interview and be into sports, which he is.

Just show you are keen and motivated and will excel......my brother in law and my husband went to Merchant Taylors so it is a tradition

[PooshTun]

I'm not familiar with the school so speaking generally .....

Selective schools expect the child to be above the national average which is level 4. How much higher depends on how selective the school is.

Schools tend to shortlist kids that reach their minimum academic standard and from there they look to see if the kid is of the 'right' fit. DS's school want kids who excel at sports or music and are individualistic and are one of life's winners. DD's school on the other hand look for kids that are obviously bright but are team players IYSWIM.

[michaelaB]

Highgate is likely to look for a Verbal Reasoning score or equivalent of at least 115 in their tests (and many will have the max of 140), be able to write eloquently and have high ablity in maths and science. They won't be terribly interested in KS2 results except as an indicator.

[shootingstarz]

It is very, very hard to get into schools like MTs, I don?t know much about Highgate but I don?t think it?s in the same league as MTs.

To give you an indication of your competition children in my DS maths class are all working at level 6-7 KS3 (year 8 to 9) and they?re only in year 6. Most children are around the same level for English.

[honeytunes]

Hi,
Joined mumsnet last night and I'm looking for a bit of advice already!
My daughter is in Year 5 at a state primary and we are looking to send her to an Independent School at year 7. My husband and I went to state secondary schools and would have preferred to do this with our daughter but this is not an option where we live ... for us. We have found because of this decision we have been a little ostracised at our school. The other parents that are choosing state options are beginning to group together and although I can cope very well with being excluded , I think its unfair that my daughter is no longer included in play dates parties etc. I've even wondered about moving her for her last year 6 but not sure this would be a good thing for her. Feel this is all a bit childish, never thought I would get caught up in it and certainly didn't see it coming. Just wondered if other parents are experiencing same thing and would appreciate advice from mums that have been through this already.
Thanks!

[hardboiled]

michaelaB, what does a score of 115 mean? How much would that be in percentage terms as in "getting 80% right" or getting "90%"?

[shootingstarz]

Hardboiled they`re talking about VR scores (IQ) 100 is average, 115 good, 130-140 amazing.

[hardboiled]

Thanks. But I still don't understand how I can apply that to my DS scores at home with the practice tests. I must have a very low IQ

[glenmore]

Hardboiled - you can't come up with these numbers yourself. I think what Shootingstarz is talking about are CAT scores (not to be confused with SAT's). CAT tests are done in many schools once a year to keep track on progress. Normally done for verbal reasoning, non verbal reasoning and quantitative. a score is generated for each of these tests and then an average score produced overall. The tests are different for each year group and the actual scores are then adjusted for the exact age of the child. It would be impossible for you to calculate these yourself. The school works from a computerised programme which i think is only available to schools and the national levels are standardised to give the 100 as average IQ. many prep schools use the cat scores of a child as an indication of the sort of schools to recommend to parents - i.e. as a basic indicator of how intelligent a child is as these tests are not revised for nor are they supposed to be prepared for although a child who has done some VR at home or with a tutor clearly will perform better. The non VR is often , by some schools, thought to be the truest indicator of raw intelligence as it is the hardest one to "train" for.
this is my understanding anyway......

[Leaveitbabe]

@honeytunes We are in the same position Y5 child etc. We are considering the same but have so far not mentioned it to the parents/school. I think that the parents we know will be cool about it given the reputation of our local state schools. Many families here opt for private or 11+. I understand 35% of the local children are schooled out of our borough. Will keep you posted.

[hardboiled]

Thanks glenmore.

[OhDearConfused]

honeytunes likewise in my DCs state primary. Very few go private (very mixed school, middle classes in distinct minority, and of those only a very few can afford it), and those that do, are not at all ostracised. Strange that that is happening to you .... it shows who your friends really are I suppose.