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Original poster

Admission to Independent schools

34 replies

rose1947 · 26/09/2017 17:40

We are keen to send our son to a boarding school and shortlisted Harrow boys, Westminster school and Eton College. My son is a bright boy but not a prodigy, he is in year 5 at a prep school and always been in top set. The school is not preparing them for Pretest or 11 plus, but they do prepare them for common entrance exam in year 8. We visited Harrow boys school last week and my son liked the school, we met many parents mostly from London. They mentioned that the London prep-schools are preparing the children for Pretest with regular computer based tests. We are very worried, we are new to this, could someone with their children in these schools advice me on how to prepare for Pretest. Is this test tougher than 11 plus test, are there any resources/test papers to practice. Any advice/suggestions will be gratefully received.

OP posts:
imoverlyengaged · 27/09/2017 08:12

Have you considered moving to a prep with a track record of getting students into your chosen schools?

Original poster
rose1947 · 27/09/2017 07:23

Thank you all. In last 5 years one boy has gone to Harrow. Local secondary schools do not need pretest, they offer conditional place based on headmasters reference and 65% in common entrance in year 8. I have spoken to headmaster, but no use. They will give interview practice and prepare for common entrance. No support for ISEB Pretest or the initial school exams which is worrying.. with regards to extracurricular activities, he is learning 2 instruments, taking Grade 3 Piano, Guitar, Lamda; Prose & Verses, public speaking, got merits and distinctions. Few certificates from Badgers, raised 500 pounds to charity trekking Machu Piechu. Very keen in sports just in school, not in any clubs. I expected Prep school taking huge fees would help, but unfortunately we have to prepare him. There is 11 plus coaching for grammar schools, I have registered with them, will this help ?, Are independent school exams similar to grammar schools. Any tips for preparing ?

OP posts:
trinity0097 · 26/09/2017 20:57

Eton now pre-screen using the ISEB common Pre-Test.

Most schools now pre-test at 11 to go at 13, where I work it's just a handful of girls schools that don't, e.g. Wycombe abbey, Benenden

With so many kids applying for places it's a must that children need to be as prepared as possible. 872 pupils have registered for the Wellington pre-test this year, for 185 places.

AnotherNewt · 26/09/2017 20:28

Eton has a unique computer-based pre-test which can't really be prepped for.

Other pre-tests however would require some preparation, even if it only to the extent that the pupils are confident with exams conditions and styles of questions. I think you need to check exactly what they do to prepare boys to secure conditional offers, because it does sound rather as if you're missing a bit or the school is very cavalier (assuming it has a parent body who hope to send their DC to schools which pre-test)

Eton2017 · 26/09/2017 20:23

This "If the school is not preparing for Pretest then they do not normally have boys going into those schools." is not true. They may simply have the courage of their convictions and (correctly) believe the senior schools when they say no preparation is necessary! DS's prep sends children regularly to such schools and does not prepare for pretest (though I think DS did have a practice interview with an unfamiliar adult to check he could cope with that experience).

The advice to look at destination schools, on the other hand, is good; much easier to be aiming at a senior school your current school understands than not.

ChocolateWombat · 26/09/2017 19:52

I would approach your Prep and explain your intentions and ask what they can do to.....prep him. If this is a Prep which goes to 13, many of the schools they feed into would need a pre-test of some type, so I would want to know why they aren't providing the prep required. I would expect them to arrange something for him.

BubblesBuddy · 26/09/2017 18:49

If the school is not preparing for Pretest then they do not normally have boys going into those schools. Look at the destination schools at 13 to see where boys do go and assume you will get prep for CE for those type of schools. Not all prep schools are the same and you, preferably, need recognised feeders for the schools you mention to make life a bit easier. I am not sure how you diy. Others will have more idea.

imoverlyengaged · 26/09/2017 17:59

If I was looking for a 13 - 18 boys boarding school, I would not include Westminster on my list. Great school, great academics but junior boarding is more like St Paul's - a convenience for those who live a bit too far away to come in every day but will go home at the weekend. If I was looking for that kind of weekly boarding I would exclude Eton and Harrow and add St Paul's.

What have his prep said about the best schools for him? They should know if he is bright enough to get 70% at CE. To get into Eton and Harrow he will also need to excel in an extra curricular area.

Hillingdon · 26/09/2017 17:43

You have chosen three of the most difficult schools to get into in the UK.

How many boys go to those schools from your prep? If it is significant then they will advise.