Question for parents that kept DC on to 13plus rather than leave @ 11

[Maths007]

My DC is at a good prep school and could stay till 13 or leave at 11.

What experience have people had from staying to 13 and what did they gain or should they have left at 11?

[cakeisalwaystheanswer]

We had a nightmare CE year and at the time I wished I had moved at 11+. But CE really isn't important to most schools as they pre-test and everyone does really well and with hindsight we (the parents) panicked over nothing. I do think CE is very good preparation for GCSE years and now I am glad he went the 13+ route. and I think it gave DS a very rounded education.

DS's prep school was incredible value for money, the fees doubled when he started senior school at Y9 as did the class size. I think DS really benefited from being in such a small class for those extra 2 years. DS's prep had excellent facilities but if that wasn't the case and your DS is keen on drama/sport and the senior school has better facilities that may be a reason to move at 11+. It really will depend on what the prep is like.

[Roseotto]

Surely depends on the senior schools you think will suit and when they take their main intake?

[LIZS]

Had one child do each. CE isn't a requirement now that for many secondary schools even at 13+. A lot now pretest at 11 or use their own entrance papers. While CE can develop skills, teaching is still orientated towards exam success rather than providing a broad foundation for public exams. Year 8 was largely spent revising and doing practice papers rather than learning new things. Having said that Ds didn't have to learn much more French to get a good GCSE grade. Socially it is harder to integrate at 13 than 11 especially for girls as the new intake is usually much smaller. Cost is certainly a factor when I have asked others why they stay or go.

[serendipity200]

Depends on when your destination schools main in take. DS1 went at 13+ to a school where he and 15 others joined a group of 200 existing students. Socially it was difficult and in terms of academics he was behind in the languages, maths and the sciences as the new school didn't have to spend time revising for CE and trundled ahead with the GCSE curriculum. DS 2 joined at 11+ with main intake, all fine so far and DS3 staying to 13+ as destination school will not take at 11+ from a 13+ prep but have a much bigger intake at 13+ than other DSs schools. Yet to see how this pans out.

[summerends]

I agree with Serendipity it depends on the destination school's major intake, unless the prep school is really excellent or DC needs a bit more time to mature (and there are sufficient pupils joining at the 13+ entry point).
If unsure I would ask the present year 8s for their honest appraisal of their last year If they have been bored and treaded water academically then there is a good chance that your DC will also outgrow the benefits of that prep school by the end of year 7.