11+ to Dulwich / Alleyns from state system

[mootime]

It's a while away for us, however I am starting to get concerned about moving DS to private for year 7. Both DH and I went to prep schools but financially that is not an option for us with our 3dc.
Is access to private education (we would be looking at Alleyns/ Dulwich) after state system still really possible, or should we really be trying to find the money to go from
8.
Advice would be very welcome.

[L0ndonrunner]

Hi mootime, just to let you know my son got a place at Dulwich College for year 7 and attended a state primary school all the way through from Reception to the end of year 6. He joined DC in Sep 15 along with lots of other boys from various state schools. He loves it and has settled in really easily. I don't know about Alleyn's but I would have thought the same was possible there too - I know a few people with children that were offered places at Alleyn's who also went to state schools. I am sure the Registrar's offices at the schools would be able to give you an insight into approximately how many children come from the state sector.

[Noitsnotteatimeyet]

The biggest feeder school in my dc's year apart from Alleyn's junior school was Honeywell- arguably it's not a standard state school (and there's shed loads of tutoring going on from Y4 onwards) but it's completely doable. I think maybe half the intake at Alleyn's is from state primaries- Dulwich is a bit more weighted towards prep schools but there are still plenty of boys from state schools there too

[mootime]

Thanks for this. I think I will talk to admissions and see what level we need to be aiming for. We are in a lucky position that DS is in a small class with high teaching levels and seems to be really thriving at the moment. We are trying to get the extra curricular stuff started too and we are fully prepared for a shed load of tutoring. I just worry about what happens if he doesn't get in. I guess he'll get in somewhere!

[citykat]

Yes, my DS got offers from both of these. Same primary from Reception to Y6 - for a chunk of that time it was categorised as 'needs improving'. Remember that there being relatively few applications/ successes from some state schools is as much about ethics and economics as ability. There might be 5 or 6 in the class capable of passing but some parents simply won't have the money and others will feel it morally/ politically wrong. So maybe only 1 goes. You will need to do work at home as no verbal reasoning etc on state curriculum. And by the time your child is 11 the secondary schools all look less daunting then when they are 6.

[mootime]

The Philosophy for children course at our primary should help with the verbal reasoning. I guess you are right though, there are lots of people for whom it's not even part of the decision process for whatever reason.
I've just heard lots of comments about how if you don't move at 8 they will struggle.

[L0ndonrunner]

I totally agree with citykat's point about ethics and economics. I work in a state primary and there are so many really bright children who would easily pass the tests and interviews to get into the independent schools mentioned but for many reasons they don't apply. Please don't believe there is no hope.

Just think of the money you will save!