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Original poster

Any senior schools which registering from birth means entry is easier?

37 replies

Sofa123 · 19/11/2016 12:31

Hi all,

My DS is 10 months old which I know sounds ridiculous to be thinking of senior schools, but having struggled to find nursery places by not looking until he was 4 months I've decided it's better to be earlier rather than late.

We are focussing on the independent sector and are based in South East London, but for senior school would consider boarding which increases the area that we can consider.

I recently found out that Radley College (just south of Oxford) uses 2 general entry points for 13+, one of which is called the Radley List - which you can sign up your son from birth up to the age of 4 and is an easier route (lower CE requirements) into the school.

My question is, are there any other good independent schools (principally at the senior school level, but lower levels is also interesting) that operate on a similar basis, i.e. if you register earlier/from birth its easier to get in.

Thanks very much for your help,

Sofa123

OP posts:
EleanorRigby123 · 20/11/2016 10:32

Have you ruled out Eltham College and Colfe's both of which are academically selective and easily accessible from Blackheath? They are not as selective as St Paul's and Westminster but will have top sets with very bright boys likely to go on to Oxbridge if that is your aim. And if your DS is not super bright he might well be happier there.
There is also St Dunstan's where the same applies.

Original poster
Sofa123 · 20/11/2016 09:41

Hi AnotherNewt and Happygardening,

Pre-prep and Prep plan isn't fully formulated and I'm presently researching at all levels simultaneously, but overall plan in reverse order would be:

Senior school:

  • Ideally - St. Paul's / Westminster
  • Decent day options - Alleyns / Dulwich College
  • Top boarding options - the usual culprits - Eton, Harrow, Tonbridge
  • Alternative's - Radley College and others once I've researched more

Preference is for day - the reason we added boarding to the list is principally how few top quality senior schools there are in SE London (but I am also tempted by the chance for DS to have more time in the day to pursue studies and co-circular activities vs sat bored in a car)

Prep:

  • Ideally - St. Paul's Junior / Westminster Under
  • Other options: continuing with schools from pre-prep level - needs more research for this stage

Pre-prep (and possibly carrying through) - presently just local schools:

  • Dulwich Prep - ok history of moving pupils at 13+ into top schools (last 4 years show between 8% and 20% going to Westminster, St. Pauls, City of London, King College Wimbledon, Eton - wildly varying year to year)
  • Alleyns - vast majority of pupils carry on into senior school
  • Blackheath Prep - ends at 11, so presents it's own set of problems (and I've yet to visit)
  • Dulwich Junior/Ducks - very strong feeder into Dulwich College - which I think is a good senior school option but would prefer not to have other options closed off

The major question/problem I have is the lack of good pre-prep schools that finish at age 7 in my part of South East London, so it's unclear if the above schools would prepare DS fully for an attempt at entry into WU or SPJ preferring him to stay as long as possible.

Of course one option is to move, but having only just bought this house a year ago and working in Canary Wharf, I'm loath to do so just now. However if my DS did get into WU or SPJ then I would probably contemplate it rather than face a tricky commute (albeit my spouse works in Victoria so close to WU).

Again I do realise this seems ridiculous for a 10 month old, but best to be prepared if he academically excels (or not) by mapping out the major alternative paths.

If you have any thoughts to offer on my predicament they would be much appreciated.

Thanks once again for your help,

Sofa123

OP posts:
happygardening · 19/11/2016 22:47

OP my DS2 was offered a place at St Paul's despite registering very late and being a rank outsider.
Anothernewt is right make finding yourself a good prep school a priority rather than a senior school, your priority should one with a good track record of regularly sending pupils to the senior schools on your long list. When your DS is older the head of this prep will advise you at to which school(s) would be appropriate to register him for.

AnotherNewt · 19/11/2016 21:41

Have you got a prep school plan sorted out?

That might be a little more urgent, unless you are confident of a place at a state primary you believe will suit well.

Original poster
Sofa123 · 19/11/2016 19:34

Hi everyone,

Thanks very much for your thoughts and input.

Fully appreciate that it's very hard to predict how DS will turn out academically, in his interests or personality.

Ideally we would like him to go to one of the top London day schools (which are fiercely competitive). This is more about establishing some fall back/insurance policies if he isn't quite at Westminster/St. Paul's level (or potentially at Dulwich College/Alleyns level).

Boarding isn't our first choice - but as I've recently found out South East London (we live around Blackheath) doesn't have a huge range of top quality day schools within easy commute, so need to think a little more broadly.

When I spoke to Radley admissions they alluded to the fact that there was at least one other school with a similar approach, but my googling has drawn a blank.

Anothernewt - thank you that's exactly what we are looking, for an easier route in based on very early registration.

We will definitely evaluate much more throughly closer to the point of entry based on my son vs the guess work I'm employing presently.

Thank you SuperSange - unfortunately we have a son, so that counts St. Swithuns out.

EleanorRigby and Happygardening - thanks for your thoughts, we only have one child at the moment, but do plan a second. I don't have strong thoughts on single sex vs co-ed and by that stage may well have moved house - but I would prefer to stay in the area and put down roots if possible. The thought would be to apply to a few now (if there is an advantage) and more when our DS's needs/interests are clearer around 9-11 years old.

Thanks again everyone, if anyone else has any particular schools that have an advantageous early registration approach, please do chime in!

Sofa123

OP posts:
happygardening · 19/11/2016 17:48

Anothernewt you have to be a minimum of 8 yrs old to register for Winchester.
OP some very selective may accept registration from birth but your DC's chance of being offered a place depends on their showing in pre tests which are in most cases is sat yr 6.
I personally don't think there's any real advantage of registering your child at birth, you would probably have to register him for at least three if not more because you don't know what future school will be suitable, if you want coed or SS (if you have another child and it's a DD you might change you're views on this), where you will be living or how much money you'll have to spend on fees as said above boarding fees in particular are likely to significantly more than they are now. So it just seems like a waste of money to me. Schools like Eton are currently accepting registration up until a boy in 10 years and 6 months.
SuperSange the OP has a DS St Swithuns is girls only.

AnotherNewt · 19/11/2016 16:59

Most of them (perhaps even all) will take registrations from birth. But that's not the same as giving an advantage in the actual selection procedure idc to make it easier (as OP asks)

If it was tie-break between a few borderline candidates, then date of registration might be taken as a proxy for level of interest in the school and be a factor in that candidate's favour.

SuperSange · 19/11/2016 16:07

St Swithuns in Winchester takes quite a few registrations from birth. It's s really good school.

meditrina · 19/11/2016 16:05

"Independent schools are generally struggling for numbers"

Variable. In London and SE it is definitely not true. Nor is it an issue for the 'big name' schools anywhere.

AnotherNewt · 19/11/2016 16:04

Radley is the only one what springs to mind.

Though of course that assumes no change in procedures in the next decade, and that it's a schools that is suitable for your DS's abilities, interests and personality (you won't be able to decide that for about a decade either).

Trend has been towards selection from pretests taken at 11ish, and anyone registering in time for those is on a pretty much equal footing. I don't see that changing, tbh.

Couchpotato3 · 19/11/2016 16:01

Independent schools are generally struggling for numbers, so you are unlikely to have a problem securing a place for your child when the time comes.

EleanorRigby123 · 19/11/2016 15:58

If you have an averagely intelligent, sociable child and you can afford to pay it is very easy to get places at "good" independent boarding schools. If prices continue to rise as they have done over the past decade it will be even easier by the time your DC is 11/13.

There is really no point in registering at birth as you have no idea how your child will turn out and what you will be looking for later in life. Radley may look great now but if your DS turns out to be highly intelligent, sensitive, musical and hates sport you may find that many other schools are a better fit.
CE is not difficult - and I suspect it will have gone by the time your DS goes to secondary school.

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