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Original poster

Missed out on entry to grammar & independent secondaries in London

130 replies

cantstopstressing · 15/12/2020 21:47

Posting slightly in desperation. DS is 10 and we are mid way through applying to a number of grammar and independent schools in North London for admission next year. DS is bright (top set in both Maths & English) at an outstanding state primary and hardworking. We tutored for 18 months in advance of the exams. He did 2 grammar schools in North London and didn't get into top 650 (Latymer) or top 350 for the other one. He has done a couple of independents but we are not hopeful as one was a CEM select test and the timing was extremely aggressive and the other (also a super selective school with 800+ applicants for 75 places) was also very tough and he didn't write much in the creative writing section of the English paper so I am not hopeful that he will get offers from those either.

I guess I am wondering where we (or I) went wrong. Maybe I misjudged how academic he is plus I think, on reflection, doing 2 hours a week with a tutor and past papers up until the last few months where he was doing 5-6 hours per week, simply wasn't enough. I am aware there are kids doing a couple of hours each day. I feel like I have let him down as I don't believe he will get any offers from the schools we applied to and will face a number of rejections which will knock his confidence. As I said, he is top of his class and, although I know there is a huge gap between being good at a state primary and what independent schools will teach, I guess I am still surprised and disappointed that none of these schools are an option for him. Why is it a clever boy can't get a place at decent indie in London?

OP posts:
Monochromefox · 15/12/2020 22:45

You need to also really consider where your child will get in - 75 places for 800 applicants is a school I would pass on.

Monochromefox · 15/12/2020 22:44

So all I am saying is it should t take so much time and so much money but in my experience loads of private prep school kids sit the state grammars abs go for the Independents.

Your child may be top of the class at one school but the cohort may not be the same as a competitive London school where parents spend heaps of time outside school on education and extra school work.

August20 · 15/12/2020 22:44

What is your plan for next year? Is there a good state secondary for him?

Would you consider two years at up to year 8 prep and try for 13+ entry at some places? You would have to consider this quickly as many places have deadlines for year 7 pre-tests close in January of year 6 (for year 9 entry).

I have a cousin whose kid missed out at year 7, he sent his son weekly boarding out of London for year 7/8 and got him into a good school at year 9 but mind you this was ~10 years ago.

There are so many children applying for places that even very bright children can miss out - just luck of the draw. Or he may have just not tested well despite what he can do in a classroom. Alternatively he could have been a big fish in a small pond at his school - he may have been top of his class, but top of one class is middle of the pack in another.

Original poster
cantstopstressing · 15/12/2020 22:44

Monochrome, which school did your DS get into? The schools I am talking about are Latymer, Dame Alice Owen, Highgate and City of London Boys. We only did online mock and he was scoring 75-80%

OP posts:
Monochromefox · 15/12/2020 22:19

I think it depends which independent.

There are loads of good independents that may well take late places. Colfes is an example.

I know of people in my area who went all out and bought extra tutoring during the lockdown. Someone I met had a teacher come to her house Monday to Friday.

I have a friend whose children had 3 tutors.

My son scraped through from being at a poorly performing state school and we only tutored for a few months.

I consider ourselves lucky.

I am led to believe that many more children do way more that they let on. Some of it I think is extremely cruel.

In addition I think it depends upon the tutor. Does the Tutor get excellent marks?

Was your child doing well at mock tests?

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