11+ exams, Henrietta Barnett school and North London Collegiate exams on the same day

[margaritare]

Hi, everyone. I've just found out that the Henrietta Barnett grammar school and the North London Collegiate private school have their 11+ exams on the same day in January. Apparently they have been doing this for years to deliberately exclude girls who apply to NLC (I called Henrietta Barnett school and that's what they told me). I've done some research and found an interview with one of the HB headteachers saying "I do rather resent those who go trotting round like this", meaning girls who also apply to other schools. My daughter is in a state primary school, she is on the Gifted and Talented list, it was the school's advice to try her for the best schools available in the area (North London). I've read on Mumsnet many times about girls getting offers from both schools. I am wondering how they managed to do so. We can't really afford NLC and if there is no financial help we wouldn't be able to send her there. She is also quite young, just turned 10 in April, so I feel she needs a safety net. I would welcome some advice.

[Ladymuck]

If you can't afford NLC then it isn't a back up.

If you could, then NLC have a back up exam date, as do most independent schools. If you were going to register then you could ask them.

[horsemadmom]

Not sure who you spoke to at HB but that sounds fishy. There will be a back up date at NLCS (HB only has a date available in case of illness). There always is a back-up date at NLCS. Every year. I can't recall there ever being a clash of dates before. Ever.
Lots of girls sit for both as many people are in your position of needing bursary funds for NLCS (the bursar is lovely and happy to talk through the process) and also sitting HB.
About 50% of 11+ intake at NLCS is from state primaries. Just remember that the G+T register is not a meaningful measure. Is your DD THE BRIGHTEST in the year? Top 1-2% of the ability range bright? That's who they're looking for.

[AlrightChuck]

I don't think you should worry about it at this point. The first stage for HB is in September and even passing that is a tough task. If your DD gets through, then make a call. If she doesn't- and HB is said to be the hardest of all of them - try for NLCS in Jan.
I imagine that HB, NLCS, Habs etc get frustrated by "offer tourists" - those who apply but more for bragging rights as they are already set on one school. I am not saying the OP is one but there are many. It's bad for NLCS but terrible for HB who as a state school are trying to manage the process on a pittance.

[alexw]

There is definitely a second date for NLCS exams the following week.

[margaritare]

thank you for your help, we'll speak with NLC in September, if she passes first stage of HB exams. I spoke with two people in the Admission office at HB, but I was since told that NLC is much more accommodating and probably would agree to give us an alternative date. Even our tutor who was specifically preparing children for HBS for years was surprised to hear about this, but it is true.
Ladymuck: We can't afford a full fee but were hoping for a bursary, I don't know if she could get a scholarship. I wasn't educated in the UK, so not sure how easy/difficult it is and how well my DD is doing across the range of all types of schools.

[margaritare]

Horsemadmom: I realise that G&T is not a measuring stick, DD was scoring level 5b/a in Maths, English, Reading at the beginning of year 4. Her school moved her in year 6 maths class when she started year 4, consequently she'd been in maths year 6 last year and this year, said she is dreading going there for the next year when she actually will be in year 6. Her maths teacher in year 6 is trying to accommodating her needs but almost nothing happens in English, despite her being more advanced in English. Worst of all we were told that since next year, since the levels will be abandoned they wouldn't have to take any special measures to accommodate her needs because now all children from year 3 to year 6 will in in "year 6" level. I can't understand any of it. I was thinking of taking her from school and home educating her next year but she is very sociable and wants to stay, I think if she stayed home and moved at her own speed she might get a scholarship but I don't want to make her unhappy.

[clb]

Just to say that HBS have definitely not been doing this for years, whatever the person in the office told the OP. I have two daughters who sat both exams in the last few years with no scheduling problem at all.

Incidentally, the scholarships available at NLCS (no info re bursaries) were worth up to 50% of fees a few years ago.

[MN164]

First up, best of luck .

"she needs a safety net"

HB and NLC sound like very academic schools.

Wouldn't it be wise to have a "safety net" that is a slightly less academically demanding but very good school?

Depending on your circumstances there are lots of schools in London. Some private schools are very good with bursaries too, but they increasingly focus on income and net assets to judge your ability to pay.

I'm sure people here could recommend a school that could be a real "safety net".

[margaritare]

We live in Brent, Edgware, there is nothing else around. We were unfamiliar with the system when bought the house years ago before DD was born, had no idea about the situation with schools. And anyway, that is what we hear from teachers every end of the school year about her - "she needs to be in an academic school", I think she is bright, but not sure about G&T or what does it mean exactly for a school to be "academic".

[Clonakiltylil]

Don't count on getting a scholarship from somewhere like NLCS; there are very few indeed and your DD will need to be in the top five or so of the 700 who sit the exam. She will need to get virtually full marks. I know one girl who would have scored an A in A Level English in Year 7. Of course this is exceptional, but there will be exceptionally high achieving students each year. As you do not know the standard of the other candidates, you cannot know how your daughter compares. If money is an issue, the amount will not be enough anyway.

A bursary is a more likely option. You will need to score highly enough to be called back for interview and then you will have to fill in paperwork proving your income and so on. You will be interviewed by the Bursar and if your DD is offered a place, the amount they could offer will be stated. I like the fact that you do not have to fill in all he paperwork before sitting the exam.

The school wants the brightest students and they realise that girls coming from state schools may not have had as much preparation. The bursary is there for a reason and they want to make offers to extremely bright students who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend.

A word of warning, though - do not simply try for NLCS and HBS. If you want to go down the independent route, look up North London Consortium Schools and try for some of those. Otherwise there are some very good state schools in the borough of Harrow on your doorstep.

[margaritare]

yes, thank you. We will be trying other schools as well within our reach but there aren't so many of them here.

[WorkingItOutAsIGo]

She sounds very bright. At secondary age a lot of children do travel for up to an hour to get to the right school for them so do look wider. Look at City of London, St Paul's, Highgate, South Hampstead etc. I know it's hard to imagine them traveling that far when they are a young 9 or 10 but by 11/12 they can manage it. I know girls at all those schools who travel further than your DD would be doing.

[RaskolnikovsGarret]

Both DDs sat both exams in last three years, no clashes at all. Both got offers from HBS and scholarships from NLCS. Similar standard I think, and lots of girls have a similar choice at offer time. DD1 got a 50% scholarship, but is not a genius at all, quite ordinary/lazy really, so very possible. Both chose HBS (cue cheers from parents at no school fees).

Never heard any issues with HBS resenting girls applying for NLCS as well. In each of the girl's years, at least ten girls applied for both. Perfectly acceptable.

[Butterymoon]

Can anyone PM me details of a reliable tutor who can help with prep for the 11+ in north London (NLCS, HBS, Latymer, channing, highgate). Many thanks

[S999]

What do you mean they are doing away with levels next year? And that all in year 3 to 6 will be in year 6 please?
Sorry I'm a bit behind on things...