Lady Barn House School (Cheadle) - Assessment

[LightMcQueen]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 3 year old boy and we have his name down for Lady Barn House School, an independent 3-11 school in Cheadle, South Manchester.

I've been told for the entry into reception class, he will be invited to an assessment morning in November. Does anyone have any experience of the assessment for the reception class at Lady Barn House School? What does it involve and what are they looking for? What's the competition like in terms of number of people applying?

Thanks!

[smellyboot]

Everyone I know went to the nursery to guarantee entry. Lol. My mate who goes there reckons it's more about whether they want you as a parent; do you fit their expectations. They push them very hard academically from a very early age so you have to be on board with that as well as fit to pay the bills... At 3 my mate's DC got in despite being summer born, immature, only just potty trained, painfully quiet and unable to hold a pencil. They have had issues with schools expectations of the child.
I'm sure some one will come along who can be more helpful than me though!!

[LightMcQueen]

Thanks smellyboot. I too would've preferred going via the nursery route but unfortunately I put his name down too late so they couldn't offer a place hence now going through the reception assessment. He'll have the assessment when he's 3 for reception entry at 4. Do you know when your friend put his DC forward? I get a feeling that demand has spiked over the last year or so. Any info you can get about what I can expect on the day would be much appreciated!

[smellyboot]

They went in nursery so hence their comments about them feeling that it was their suitability that was being assessed and not the child. The child is lovely but not outgoing, sociable, advanced, talents at any subject or anything. At the time of interview the DC was not even potty trained. Being a shy summer born, the DC is still behind peers and certainly behind my own DC at same age. I've never known anyone not get in to be honest.
I'd look up general prep school assessments and see what to expect.

[smellyboot]

Actually I know a few that went in nursery, two in reception and at least two or three who went in years 3-6
It's a very highly rated school, for those wanting that kind of school etc but no one has every said to me they were applying and not got in.. But those same people are all mid-high earning parents with high ambitions for their children and wanting selective secondaries too etc.

[LightMcQueen]

Thanks for the info!

[smellyboot]

Maybe post on the education board too - I think more private school people,lurk over there. Loads of others should be able to help

[Summerholsdoingmyheadin]

Lady barn house is very academically driven. Even at a young age there are very high expectations of the children. Are you sure that this is what you want? You have to be really focuses on your child excelling academically, perhaps at the expense of social development, in order to be fully happy with lady barn house. If your aim is to get your child into mgs or wgs or an alty grammar and not be concerns about things like forest school lessons or imaginative play in the early years then lady barn house is a good option. If you want a school that will have a more holistic approach to child education then lady barn house might not be for you.
All that said, the academic standards achieved at the school are excellent. I have no idea what they look for at 3 years old so my post probably isn't very helpful but I can't imagine that they are expecting him to be Mensa level at 3. They probably just want to make sure that he doesn't have any very obvious learning difficulties.

[LightMcQueen]

Hi - that's certainly food for thought. Both me and my partner work full time so my son would need some after school care too so wouldn't have much time on weekday evenings for after school work (i.e. no more than 30 minutes or so). Is it typical they'd expect longer than that on a weekday for primary school age kids?

I think I'll pop in again to have another look and put him through the assessment (if it's offered) and take it from there. Still would like to know (out of interest) what the assessment involves so if any other parent has experience please do share. General prep assessment vary, the London ones seem ultra selective whilst others seem like a formality.

[smellyboot]

I don't have first hand experience of course but the feedback I hear is as Summer says. Very high academic expectations even at nursery and reception level. There were times when my fiends summer born nursery DC was expected to do as much if not more phonics practice than my reception child.
The academic results and clearly the number suceeding to go on to MGS / WGS / super selective Alty grammars etc is what people want, who choose Ladybarn. My friends who go there certainly do.