Tutoring for St Paul's and CLSB school Admissions

I get the feeling OP doesn't know much about the independent schooling system or admissions. The fact she named 2 schools suggested knowledge, but perhaps these were just plucked as being well known and OP hadn't realised how very competitive they are esp for bursary and scholarship.

Yes OP needs to look at a wider range of schools and gather more info - MN is good for getting a general feel but once a researched short list has been drawn up, visits will be needed. The research should also be into sats schools - good Comps and grammars too -maybe more realistic. Op says she can't afford a tutor - fine, but does she realise bursaries are very rarely 100% and a sizeable amount of fees can still be due - is that viable. If not, she needs to think carefully about applying.

And this can be determined by gathering more info about DS and his abilities so getting a stronger sense of what is realistic. I would askmto speak to the teacher or Head off his school to get an honest view on just how clever he is. They may not be experts on selective schools but they will know if he is slightly above average or super super bright. Op needs to ask for real honesty and explain she needs to work out if going for something very competitive is viable. Another possibility too would be get a tutor or ed psych to do a one off assessment of ability.

So first get info about the boy and then more info about schools.

Also for private schools you might look at Galore Parks "So you really want to learn..." maths and english text books which follow the CE syllabus and are partly designed for home teaching.

You may find there are gaps between what he is doing in school and what is expected in exams.

Ibstock isn't terribly easy to reach by public transport, but Harrodian should work (as St Paul's is on your list already). Kingston might be just too far away.

I agree that Latymer Upper could be a very good choice.

Long shot/wildcard: the Foundation Coach service stretches as far as Bayswater and Fulham. If either of those works from where you live, then don't rule out Dulwich College (which can offer large bursaries)

Another vote for Latymer Upper - I get the impression that they are more generous than most with bursaries.

Emanuel is known for the number of bursaries/scholarships it awards.

But you'd need to be OK with co-ed, and either already registered or not seeking entry before 2019. Short walk from Clapham Junction, so overground from Shepherd's Bush would make it a reasonable journey.

Do you definitely want single-sex?

And what year of entry?

As he's in a state school, I don't think you can rely on high exam scores as an indicator (sorry) as they simply won't be aligned. One thing to try would be buying a 'diagnostic' session with a tutor experienced in entry to at least one of the schools and see what they recommend.

Latymer Upper. Kingston Grammar. Emmanuel. Ibstock Place. Harrodian. Hampton Boys. University College School.
And if you are trying St Paul's then why not Westminster?

Those schools will be able to tell a mile off if a child has been tutored, so if he evidently hasn’t been, and still performs well in the exam, he could get a place.

He will need to perform well at interview. Can you track down someone who can help with that? If he can come across well, talk at ease and with confidence about books, things that interest him, current affairs (just to show an awareness of news events) that will stand him in good stead.

Do you know how many bursary places they typically offer?

I agree with Newt. You have selected two of the most academic independent schools, some distance from each other. If you are unhappy with your state options, and we have direct experience of not being allocated a place, even to the nearest, and challenged, school, you should be looking at a bigger range. People can be quite snooty about the "best" school forgetting that a number of London private schools do very well in a National context, even those who are not first choice for a very academic child.

I would have a good look at all the Independent schools close to you. To get CLSB or SPS you need to be very good indeed, and even more so if you need a bursary. Tutoring would only take you so far. Unlike selective state schools, It is not first past the post and schools will be looking for raw intelligence and curiosity. Chances of a bursary may be better somewhere where your DS will be close to the top of the year group.

I thought when OP said that it was the only realistic other option, she was referring specifically to state schools (as superselective grammars might need to be deleted on grounds of journey) though of course there is Graveney via the Wandsworth test (again depending on journey).

And widening the choice of private school - OP said she might add a third - is something I've already recommended, though on the basis of availability/size of bursaries (if this is key point) rather than perceptions of how selective (rather more subjective/changeable)

I guess I'd also be wary of targeting schools where the facilities and opportunities are so amazing, only for the boy to be disappointed if he scored well enough to get in but not to get a bursary.

@AnotherNewt - I am in London so know that to be true for an average child but this OP is targeting the most selective independents. That suggests that the boy has a chance of getting into QE Boys, Tiffin, Latymer, Wilson's, Essex grammars etc.
(delete as appropriate based on where they live). At least some of these have open distance criteria.

"Why do you say this is the only realistic option?"

From the day school's OP has mentioned by name, she must be in London, and there are plenty of areas where there is only one state secondary you can be sure of getting an offer from. For some people it's a total black hole and they receive no offer at all on offers day (though a place will be found somewhere by September)

It might be worth adding as a third private school choice one of the schools that is known for generous financial assistance.

Why do you say this is the only realistic option?

Fact is that if he needs a bursary, you should also think about other state schools and less competitive independent schools because he will need to do exceedingly well to gain entrance and get a bursary.

Have you looked into grammars and other state selective schools? What about other independent schools where the standard might be lower?

I do believe it is possible to tutor for entrance exams looking at past papers but don't forget the English comprehension and essays which you won't find in Bond books.

You need to check what past papers or other info the schools provide online and go through them with your child

Being in the top ability group is not enough - is he top of that group?

What about other state school options?

Is your DS at a prep, and if not does the teacher who commented have direct and recent experience of entry to those two schools?