Hockerill Anglo European Collage - entry via aptitude test

[rosemaryc]

Just posting here too (put this on the main Education board a few days ago). Many thanks to anyone with any insight.

Hi, we are in the same county but a long way from the catchment area (1hr away). Anyone here's DC done this test, especially if applying from outside the catchment area? I know it's very competitive.
Thank you!

[justownit]

How did your DD get in if you didn't bother with the aptitude test?

[justownit]

No need for the patronising 'Err', just explain yourself simply, obviously not everyone has experience of this school.

[justownit]

Mmemorrible how on earth you found a genuine question out of curiosity "accusatory" only God knows, but clearly you have a chip on your shoulder.

[OVienna]

THis thread is well timed. We are going to be sitting the aptitude test in September too and likely going for 'day boarding' application as well. I am not sure what criteria they apply to 'need' for boarding when its a day place though. We'd have to move anyway; I will still be commuting into London so maybe that would be enough to swing it.

I am hoping someone will come along at some point and confirm that the math and language ones are similar to what I have found on line as examples.

MMe Morrible I saw some of your reviews of the school on other threads and I'm glad you're about atm so I can thank you - the comments were helpful.

[rosemaryc]

Hi - thanks for the replies. Yes I am well aware that there are very few aptitude places (12 I think - does that include boarding ones?) and it would be a long shot but boarding not an option and we are well out of the catchment area.
Like you, OVienna, we would have to move but as it's a long shot we wouldn't do that just on the offchance. We would be looking to sit the test in Sept '16 so please do come back and report on it?! Not sure what you mean by maths examples? The tests are language (looks to me to include some element of verbal reasoning in an unknown language?) and musical aptitude? Good luck for September!

Thanks Mme Morrible - glad your DD loves it. It looks like a fantastic school.

[OVienna]

Sorry - I meant music and language, not maths.

I know, that is the issue with Hockerill. It's not just a question of being on the school's doorstep, you have to be in a feeder primary AND AND AND they take a certain percentage from three main primaries. So a bit of a lottery if you are not willing to consider one of the boarding options. Although I know that isn't a walk in the park either.

I hope Mme Morrible comes back - it would be great if she could find out about these tests for us from parents she knows and report back!

[rosemaryc]

Hi OVienna - would consider the day boarding but the problem is you need to continue that for the time DD is at the school, even if you move locally and it looks like there isn't much room for flexibility ie in school for 7.30 and can't pick up til after prep finishes around 6.45 ish. As you say though, it might shorten the odds slightly!

[OVienna]

That would work for us though because I would be commuting from London. Need to hear how the kids find it though.

[OVienna]

To be honest that is JUST what I am looking for, what you've described. I have a younger DD to consider but it feels like we also have a chance of going au pair free sooner than I anticipated as well, if we go down this route. The whole thing might really work for our lifestyle. I'm trying not to get my hopes up though.

[rosemaryc]

Thanks for all this insight MmeMorrible. Would be really appreciated if you do have any info from someone who sat the tests. Will look more at the day boarding option as well. We also have a younger DD too but my understanding is that siblings get priority so the issue is finding a way to get the oldest one a place!? As OVienna says, hard not to get hopes up, particularly if trying via the test route.

[rosemaryc]

Can you apply for both a day boarding and a day place (with preference for the latter) via the aptitude tests?

[rosemaryc]

Ah thank you MmeMorrible - I had missed that. So basically they are allocating 12 out of 68 day places (this year) on the basis of the aptitude tests.

[rosemaryc]

Do you know of any stats re how many normally take the aptitude tests MmeM? thanks again

[OVienna]

You can apply for a day boarding and a normal day place. This is what we are doing.

[rosemaryc]

Thank you OVienna. Please do let me know how it all goes later in the year (given that we are a year behind you)?

[OVienna]

I'm meeting a friend next week and will find out more.

Have u visited? We haven't. The teachers love it there.