Prep school no assessment

[Arco341]

Are there any prep schools that do not have an assessment prior to reception admittance?

[SquirmOfEels]

Yes.

why do you ask?

[Chinesealan]

And even if they do, the types of assessment will vary. Some might just want to see your child playing.
Ring each school you're interested in and ask.

[Arco341]

Transferring to London for work next year. I wanted to know which prep schools did not require an assessment so I did not have to fly the kids over there just for interviews.

[AnotherNewt]

Which part of London do you want to live in?

Those which do not assess (for reception, there np may be assessments to transfer from pre-prep to prep) are likely to be running a first come-first served system, as you might want to bang in some registration forms now, if you have any idea at all whereabouts you'll be.

[cavedescreux]

Which area? Do you mean prep 7+ or reception onwards?

[Arco341]

Central London, SW London. Yes, reception onwards. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. So far Abercorn and Hill House are the only two I've found who do not need an in person assessment.

[AnotherNewt]

There's also Parkgate House (north side of Clapham Common) and the Eaton House group are first come first served, also The Dolphin School on Northcote Road.

[Peppergrinder2016]

Fulham Prep.

[Arco341]

AnotherNewt, is Parkgate House oversubscribed?

[AnotherNewt]

Quite probably, most London schools are. But as people register for more than one school (maybe a selective of two, and a first-come first-served) then there's usually a fair amount of movement of lists.

Are you thinking of September 2017 entry?

[Arco341]

September 2018

[Supercalafraga]

Where are you relocating from? Research the schools properly, as yes, some schools don't mind not meeting the children but that's because of a variety of reasons. Some will accept based on a previous school report. Think carefully about Hill House as they are in the midst of turmoil.... Others to look at are The Hampshire School and Knightsbridge if it's only for 2018. Hampshire has a nursery if you relocating in 2017.

[originalmavis]

How old are the kids?

Hill House has them attend for a day dont they? Check out Newton's (easy to get to from Victoria/SW) - they are very accommodating and go from nursery to 13+.

[motherigloo]

A lot/most will do 'taster days' which in loose terms might be an assessment. We used to do them to just see where a child was ability wise but as a non selective school we would take anyone provided we had space and could cater for them. We never had anyone attend a taster day whom wasn't offered a place. This was yr1.

Look specifically for non selective schools. There are plenty.

Which area?

[Arco341]

I am interested in Central London, Battersea. I'm open to as north as Hampstead or a bit south of Battersea.

[originalmavis]

Check Newton's then. Its opposite battersea park station.

[SquirmOfEels]

Newton Prep holds assessments, and OP did say that she was asking for schools which don't.

[originalmavis]

I'm sure if they approached the head they'd be fine. It's not a hot house environment so aren't fixated on only taking the highest achieving children. You can only ask.

[AnotherNewt]

Newton Prep is highly selective, and assesses all candidates at the main entry points (and is heavily oversubscribed at them).

For an ad hoc place, it would be taster days, which might be made to fit in with OP's planned international move.

[originalmavis]

It doesn't have that vibe (current parent) and I love the atmosphere. Quite relaxed, fun and the kids are so happy (and very friendly and polite). I'd say speak to the head - she is incredibly down to earth and an absolute gem (and seems to put the kids first, rather than the owners/shareholders).

[AnotherNewt]

Having a happy, relaxed vibe once in is not incompatible with being highly selective. I'd agree it's not remotely pushy for the genuinely clever child.

And I agree the head is great, and even in the early days when she was repairing the damage to numbers from the previous head, she was pretty uncompromising in saying she'd rather carry a gap than take a child that wouldn't fit.

[Arco341]

Assessment aside, Newton Prep would be my top choice. I just don't know if I can tolerate dragging a 3 and 6 year old on a 10 hour flight for an interview.

[AnotherNewt]

It is a very good school, and It might be worth seeing if they can take your elder one on an ad hoc place (how old in Sept 18?) which can be arranged on the basis of references and perhaps tasters when you arrive (has happened like that before often enough into a non-standard entry point).

Then your younger one would be in a very good position to snaffle the next ad hoc place that came up in that year group. In you favour is that there are always some international families coming and going.

Though you might need a non-assessment school as a back up, which would complicate things and might be expensive (if you had to accept a place and risk losing a term's fees).

[minipie]

If you are looking for a place for a 6 year old (not just a reception place) that changes things.

Even the prep schools which are non assessment for reception usually do want to assess children who are entering further up, to check they have been taught to the same level and will be able to keep up with their year group. They may be willing to go off samples of work though - may depend on where the child has been previously - you'd need to call each school and ask.

For SW London I will add Hornsby House and Finton House. Both first come first served for reception - call before you send any forms/money to see if there is any point as people do sign up very early.

Also look at White House, Roche School, Parkgate, Eveline - I don't know much about these or their entry processes but they are SW london prep schools.

[writingonthewall]

St Margarets in Hampstead assesses but much less competitive than many others. Girls only.