HELP NO 11+ OFFERS

St James's Ashford & Halliford have done a second admissions round in April in the past iirc.

Hold tight though, the waiting lists DO move. It sounds like you have history with your prep head, despite this he should help you here - a child without a secondary place is not what he wants for his school's reputation. Surely a common question amongst prospective parents is "does everyone always get offered a school of their choice?"

The two schools where DC I know took exams after offers (and got in) are Ibstock and Radnor, also St Catherine's but that is girls only. You could try The Harrodian too.

You need to speak to your prep head too. Ask to see the reference he gave. This could be the problem. At the end of the day, a prep school's reputation is largely down to leaver's destinations, so it will not be in his interests to hold your son back in any way.

OP - could you say a bit more about exactly where you are in SW London.
The exact same thing happened to my son's friend 3 years ago.
They called St James School in Ashford. He went in a couple of days later, sat an informal assessment and was offered a place there and then.
I think they have an extensive school coach service. It's all boys. Stunning grounds and they practise "mindfulness" a couple of times a day.
Also, The Hall School in Wimbledon will no doubt have places, but you may have to wait until the closing date for offers to be accepted for them to confirm this. It's a smaller school and co-ed. They have a longer school day until 5pm which puts a lot of people off I think (that's not prep time -actual lessons finish then, but they do a chunk of sport every day).
I think these are your two most likely options.
Also Radnor House did not fill up last year and I know for a fact they called up to offer a place for my neighbour's son who they had rejected following the exam! By this time, he had already accepted another place elsewhere.

Good luck!

I really feel for you. We know some people exactly this happened to and it's a nightmare. I know on Mumsnet everyone always say "well, everyone gets a place somewhere" but that completely overlooks the fact that none of the schools are joined up and it is perfectly possible to get no concrete offers.

Whether your prep school head likes you or not, you need to tap into their advice and networks. Remember it reflects badly on the school if they do not support you and even if they do it through gritted teeth, they should be pulling out all the stops. There are some secondary schools who will have places, whatever they like to say, and the prep heads know this or can find this out better than parents can.

Hampton court House? St James Ashfird? Ewell Castle? The cedars Croydon? St Johns Leather head? Eton sq Seniors, Thames Christian College.
Or Prep Newton Prep, Newland House, Twickenham prep. Hill House. Kings House Richmond.

You have my sympathy as we were in the same position as you this time last year. No offers, but two wait list places. Both wait list places turned into offers by early March so unless your wait list places are at highly selective schools. where most accept the offers, then it will probably be fine. Remember most kids are applying for at least four schools but can accept only one place. The schools over offer but have to be cautious in case more accept than they can accommodate. I know lots and lots of dc who got into their school via the wait list. If you feel able to name the school I'm sure someone will be able to give an indication of chances.

I suggest you do the following:

1. Email wait list school to let them know they are your first choice school and you would accept a place immediately if offered. Call and speak to registrar as well. She is your new best friend. Let her know how much your ds loves the school and why it is a great fit for him. You want to be the first person she calls when she goes to the waitlist.

1. My dc was at state primary but my understanding is that your prep head should help you no matter what has happened in the past. That is what you have paid for and that is his job. I guess this would only not apply if you had gone against their advice and not applied to any schools they recommended. But ask them to call wait list school to make a case for your son if you think that's appropriate. In any case, I can't see it being good for current prep to have a dc with no offer.

1. Start researching suitable preps that go to 13 like Newton prep, Thomas's, Wetherby or Fulham and call them to find out about availability of places and entry process.

1. Start researching 11+ schools that may have availability and call them. Some will just say no, but I found that schools we had visited at open days but not applied to were more open to a late application as we had previously shown an interest in the school. I was told to call back after the offer deadline. Less selective schools worried about burning through the waitlist will be more open to late applications. New schools like Radnor House or Kew House may be worth trying, although unfortunately I think it's harder for boys as less day school choices.

1. Start thinking about state schools. You can make a late application and go on their wait lists. Go and have a look, you might be surprised. A short journey to school and local friends makes for a happy dc.

It is stressful but I'm sure it will work out ok in the end.

Good luck!

Do you think your DS current school would've given a less favourable report? Do you think he should've passed the exams? I would ask the schools what happened. I'm also very surprised your current school hasn't called you straight in for a talk. I'm really sorry you're in this situation it must feel really horrible.

I know this can be very stressful. I would also suggest trying Fulham Prep, Newton Prep or Rokeby for 13+. What about Kew House, Reeds, Hampton Court House or Ewell Castle School?

So have you applied to state schools or not?

One to consider, given what you've said about your DS, is Dunhurst (prep school for Bedales).

Very easy to weekly board there (loads travel together by train from Waterloo and are met at the other end)

Go visit a few state schools - he might like them!

Mosi, did he pass the exams and then not get offered on the basis of interview? If so then it's worth trying to get some feedback and maybe some interview help for him.

You could consider Fulham Prep. Since they are now opening their own Senior school this September, he could start at the Prep school and then stay there for the Senior school.

Contact/call schools and let them know you are still interested despite not being on w/l and ring round other possible schools. I can think of 2 DC off the top of my head recently, who sat exams after the results were out for schools they hadn't previously considered and got in.

I know DC who have been through this. For some, places have come up despite not being on w/l after waiting list movement and state secondary results day in March. But you must ring round. And get your son's prep to do so as well.

We had this happen to a boy in my DS year, he moved to a prep school that went to 13. He is moving to a non selective school in September. All has been fine for him after what was a pretty horrendous few months of sorting it out. Good luck.