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Original poster

No offer at 11+ can you still get in at 13+

36 replies

Yesday · 27/03/2021 12:25

My son didn’t get any offers at 11+ to London day schools. He is at a state school at the top of his class and has high CAT scores but unfortunately due to personal circumstances at time of exams he didn’t perform his best. We are at a state school so didn’t have the head’s backing or a glowing transfer test report. Friends with children at local prep school reported that this covid year the heads relationship with senior schools and the transfer report was crucial and there prep schools had got unprecedented results to London schools which in past years was not as high because everyone had to do round 2 paper exams. I have researched the 13+, I realise now the application is done at the same time as the 11+ and I have missed the majority of deadlines. Our local state school offer is also not good. I am considering putting son into a Pre prep to 13. I have read old comments on posts of mum’s in same situation but their child was at a prep school that goes to 13. The child got a place at 13+ to the same schools even though they didn’t get in at 11+ with the heads help. Anyone here willing to share experience of not getting 11+ but gaining a place at 13+ from a Pre prep. Which schools they gained entry and from what prep school. Also would love to hear experience of common entrance exams, how hard, how much homework, revision materials. Trying to do as much research as possible to find out best options available for year 7. Thank you in advance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yesday · 28/03/2021 11:29

Thank you all for your advice. We are in West London, Hammersmith. We didn’t apply for any grammar schools, location wise I thought it would be too much daily travel. We are on waiting lists for better state options. For those with children at pre prep to 13. How hard is the common entrance? Is it still a nurturing environment or is all just about exams? Did you do extra work outside of school to prepare?
LIZS- That’s my main worry. If I put into Pre prep but then am in same position in 2 years.
I have found out there is less places, but equally being told that if I put in Pre prep the head has a huge part to play in trying too find a place, so better chance of entry at 13. Is that true?

OP posts:
LIZS · 27/03/2021 18:14

Not all schools will offer a 13+ round for later applicants. You need to check out carefully which might but there will be relatively fewer places so competitive and any assessments could as soon as Autumn year 8. It will be a risk to enter prep for 7 and 8 and potentially be no better off with no year 9 place, either state or independent, so you need a back up plan.

sausagedogststandupandtakeover · 27/03/2021 18:12

Did he apply for any grammars at 11+?

Froggie456 · 27/03/2021 18:05

OP a colleague at work was in this situation about 5 years ago (save for Covid of course). Child was at a great state church primary school. Did 11+ for a couple of indies and Tiffins. They didn't get in and the state option they weren't happy with either. They considered moving out of London as they were so stressed.

Recommendation from various colleagues was exactly what you are suggesting. She went to a prep school (they usually have spaces because of children leaving for 11+). Did 2 years and then did 13+; however, the difference was they had a lot more support from the school about which indies would be best for their child. She's now doing her GCSEs at a great school.

Where are you in London so people can recommend prep options?

GU24Mum · 27/03/2021 17:57

Hi OP, my understanding (I've been through it but a slightly different range of schools with a small bit of overlap) is that the waiting lists don't work as you've described. Especially at 11+, many of the schools will have gone to their waiting lists to the extent they were going to but have now finished that process. There may be a bit of movement but it depends where you are on the waiting list.

If your son didn't get offers, do you know where he is on the waiting lists? I think in reality you'd be better at looking at schools a notch below where you have tried so far and see whether they have spaces or would assess him during Y7. The problem with the latter approach is that you're a bit stuck if you haven't taken up a state school place and don't then get anywhere.

Skatingpark97 · 27/03/2021 17:31

Hampton is very difficult to get into for 13plus, harder than age 11. They do let some ds sit the 12plus if they only just missed the 13 but you would need to get your ds assessed to see if he was right for the school.
I would contact a local prep with space in Sept and get them to assess your ds and give you realistic options at 13 if he joins the prep,for example Harrodian.
Top table in a state school isnt a gauge for the schools you mention and all the ds sitting have top Cat scores.

goldil0cks · 27/03/2021 17:06

Just reassure you, we completed the 11+ process this year from a prep and had no help from head when we crashed and burned a few exams. It was a very difficult year for what is already an intensely competitive process. Our school's overall results were not as good as previous years. I think we were all unlucky with timing of when our dc had to go through this process.

Original poster
Yesday · 27/03/2021 17:00

We applied for 3 of the above which had the same iseb test that went out to all the schools. I think I would consider all schools now. I realise now the system has changed and the 13+ is done at the same time as the 11+. Is it true that more children go on the waiting list rather than straight offer, and then the secondary schools check with Pre prep on progress in year 7 and 8 then the result changes into offer?

OP posts:
GU24Mum · 27/03/2021 15:58

It's really only in the last few years that the process has really changed and a large number of schools have all the main entrance exams in Y6. Some of the larger 13+ boarding schools may be a bit different but it's not like a handful of years ago when you could more easily switch to a prep school at 11 and do exams from there.

What schools did your son miss out on? The ones you've listed above are among the more competitive ones to get in to. Although people do drop out at various stages, they are all likely to have waiting lists already. Would you look at schools which are slightly less competitive as they are more likely to be able to offer a space.

Original poster
Yesday · 27/03/2021 15:34

I realise will have to be more flexible. All the West London independents, Kings, Hamptons, St. Paul’s, City Boys. North London Highgate, UCAS and Hampton. May also consider boarding.

OP posts:
Anotherdayanother2 · 27/03/2021 14:57

Which area are you looking at and which schools?