Independents mostly selective?

[Aigle]

Any idea of what percentage of Indy schools are selective vs non-selective. Presumably if an Indy requires an 11+ exam for assessment (or similar) it is selective? Is that right?

[roguedad]

I do not know the %, but having an exam does not tell you much about how selective they are. They could be creaming off the top, or making their own assessment for initial setting while taking a wide range, or using the results as one component of a procedure that also weights sports, music etc.

[LotusLight]

Most have some kind of selection eg mine have all been to single sex schools. No matter how bright you are as a boy you will never get a place at North London Collegiate School (one of those my children attended).

Most cities in the UK have a pecking order with at the top selectives it is very hard to get into and most people fail to get into who try and at the bottom a school which will take all comers even if the child is... ahem... as thick as a plank. That does not mean the latter aren't good schools of course for that child.

[Kenlee]

I think how selective the school is comes down to economics. A popular school can be more selective on its intake. Therefore can afford to be academically super selective or take in less academic bright children. The less popular schools will take in a more inclusive intake to fill the rank and file.

I would like to add that in choosing a private education. The most important factor is to find a school that fits your child. Your paying so you have that choice. Some children may not thrive at a super selective yet find their feet at a non selective.

[lastnightiwenttomanderley]

DH is a teacher and his last school was a 'selective' independent but you wouldn't have known it. In some ways the entrance exam seemed more of a marketing exercise, so parents thought 'ooh, little so-and-so was lucky enough to.get in!' and stump up the fees.

This may have been skewed by its proximity to a fantastic grammar school which was always going to skim off the cream.

[StillRainingInMay]

Some independent schools are very much more selective than others. We've got one close to us which selects via an exam and interview, but takes pretty much everyone as long as they're working at level 3 or above (and if they're working at level 5-ish they get a 'scholarship' of about 10% off the fees).

Another selective school not far away is one of the best schools in the country and will only take the very brightest children - which shows up in it's very high level of Oxbridge candidates.

One thing that is very different is the interview - state schools don't interview as part of the selective process, independent schools do. This introduces an element of discrimination in my view, as the interview is a subjective process which could be used to weed out those with any special needs, or the 'wrong' accent, or whose parents have the 'wrong' job, even if they are academically able.

[Jackieharris]

I this area there are 2 tiers of privates. The big well known selectives who are so in demand they can be picky about who they let in.

Then there are the smaller ones who struggle for money and take in anyone who can stump up the cash.

[happygardening]

StillRaining I personally like the interview process I have no idea if they are listening to accents or enquiring about parents jobs, I very much doubt DS2's school is, but it can enable candidates to shine and show that they have other talents and things to offer beyond answering exam questions especially if the interview is more than the statuary 10 mins.

[Kenlee]

I think the interview is more about finding how bright the child is rather than an accent or family. We actually had a 40 min Skype interview and was told to sit behind DD and not prompt her.

Although standard questions such as holidays and sports did arise. I think with some schools its not just about paying. Its about being part of the school ethos.

[ReallyTired]

Many private schools interview the parents as well as the child. The parents are assessed as much as the child. This might seem shocking, but faith schools select on the basis of what the patents are like.

[happygardening]

Some schools including the big names do interview parents either formally or informally they want parents who signed up to the schools ethos and who are frankly not going to be a pain the arse. The more over subscribed you are the more picky you can afford to be about both parents and children. I don't think most over subscribed schools remotely interested in parental occupation or accent.

[Millymollymama]

Many schools want the brightest children, whatever the background and accent of the child or parents. League tables do mean something to many schools. No school can afford to turn down a bright child if the parents support the school and have plenty of money! I agree with most posters that the degree of selection is about the popularity of the school, where it is located and the ethos of the school. Is it traditionally very academic or not?

[Kenlee]

So to answer the intial question NO.

Private education is quite diverse. Ranging from the super selective to non selective. I think what most parents need to remember is to apply for a school that your comfortable with and most importantly your child is comfortable with. There is no point picking a brand name school to show off to your friends if the ethos of the school does not fit your child.
Ultimately private school gives you choice and that is all. Obviously if your child is not bright enough to get into super selective or selective. Then you still have a choice of a lot of very good non selectives.

[Aigle]

Thanks peeps. Good to know that there is a range of 'selectivity' depending on the school.