Planning ahead here. Trying to decide whether to keep DS at state until 11 or move him earlier. My preference (socially and financially) is possibly towards keeping him at state school until 11.
I'm having a (premature!) panic though about how hard it is to get into a selective independent secondary school at 11 from a state school. I presume that I'll have to get a tutor (for a year before?) but other than that - presumably he'll mostly be up against other state school children (as surely private school boys will move to such schools at 13+) - is that right?
My big worry is - what if he doesn't get in somewhere? Obviously there is the state school option but none that appeal for boys where we live - and so if I were to go down the state school route for him at secondary level, then I'd want to think about moving well before then.
I know that it's not an easy question without knowing my child (and to be honest, we're a few years off yet so I don't myself know what he'll be like - ability/socially etc at that age) - but basically the question is, is it really that hard to switch to private in central/N London at that age? Even if he didn't get into the more academic schools (such as Highgate, City of London, UCS) - is it still hard fought over to get into less high profile places - such as Portland Place or Northbridge House Senior School. I guess I'm wondering whether people are likely to say that there is a risk that he might not get a place anywhere (with anecdotes of people in that position) or (hopefully!) reassurance that all the fuss is a bit of a con, and that if you are prepared to pay for schooling, you are bound to find a place somewhere.
Actually, an afterthough - do children ever move from state schools to private preps at 11? ie to prepare for the CE exam? Or would that be a really odd route?
I'd have now problem with state school options if we lived somewhere else or we looking at this issue for a girl.
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Secondary education
Switch to independent at 11+ - how hard to get in? (NORTH LONDON)
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wicks71 · 15/11/2012 18:16
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