Advice on private schools

I agree, it's definitely harder than it was.

Streatham and Clapham High School is harder to get into than it used to be several years ago. I wouldn’t put all your eggs on that.

I think it would be worth looking at Streatham and Clapham High School, Ibstock (but it's hard to reach from many places - don't saddle yourself with a difficult school run) and maybe the Harrodian (where you could look at a transfer in year 5 or for year 6 and sidestep the 11+)

Otherwise, look further out - are you near Clapham Junction station? If so, look at the Croydon schools and at Woldingham

And yes, get an EdPsych report - your DD may not fit the levels required to secure assistance in exams, but understanding if she does have barriers will still help her education

Sorry - my last comment wasn’t remotely helpful.

Who was it who said no about dyslexia? And what reasons did they give? If it was just the class teacher - who presumably isn’t an expert - I would definitely push this route a bit more.

What about Ibstock Place?
I don’t have much experience of it, but my friend who is a yr 6 teacher in a london prep and tutors for entrance exams really rates it. Especially for children who might not cope with the academic pressure of other independents. I know it’s a bit of a marmite school though!

122 isn’t a bad score at all. And 105 would be considered high average I think. Although if there’s already a lot of tutoring going on I can see why op might think English was a struggle.

My DD has dyslexia which is quite severe and it was only picked up at the end of year 4 with similar spiked test results. - high maths and low English.
However points to hold on to are that her maths is very good and way above average . Her English is low for a private school but this will improve as she starts the prep for 11+ that ramps up in year 5 and year 6. We also got an English tutor for 11+ everyone at private school will be tutoring anyway regardless of their ability and it’s your DD’s weaker area so needs a boost.
Don’t get to down hearted. The 11+ puts dread in the hearts of even the most academic children. My DD is now in an excellent private secondary that is small and nurturing and working with her and she is thriving

Erm, the OP suggested results were below average. Not me.

[quote Mrstreehouse]@ExpulsoCorona didn’t think it was particularly rude unless you are super sensitive. Was just pointing out a comprehensive might help with attainment and not sure why that has been completely vetoed.[/quote]
@Mrstreehouse you said it sounds like the private sector hasn't helped her so far. You were basing that on her results. As if her results are poor. They are not. The English is slightly above average and the maths is well above average. To me it seemed really rude of you to say that the results are poor and really unhelpful.

This isn't a state school vs private school thread.

@ExpulsoCorona didn’t think it was particularly rude unless you are super sensitive. Was just pointing out a comprehensive might help with attainment and not sure why that has been completely vetoed.

Look at More House School in Knightsbridge. It is a very happy and inclusive girls school and does the best by all the pupils.

122 isn't 'average', though it may be average in her class. 105 is average (well, marginally above).
I agree, speak to the sendco to investigate whether there is a processing issue, an eye issue (e.g. irlens), dyslexia etc.
Some children do just have spiky profiles though

Sir William Perkins in Chertsey or St Catherine’s in Twickenham both girls schools but often used as a back up. I think you’ll feel better once you speak to your school in Y5, my daughter was like this, good at maths but English trickier.

Reading your later posts it sounds like she has what is called a 'spiky profile' which would point towards something like dyslexia - don't worry though these days it is considered a superpower in the world beyond school and firms are even actively recruiting dyslexics for their unique brains. Do you have any history in the family? it is genetic.

It sounds like she might have a mild SEN - potentially dyslexic. If private isn't working for her then I would go for a good state secondary with an excellent SEN department, they are generally much better with children with SEN than private schools unless you find one with that emphasis.

If she's August born can she repeat a year?

I’ve been down this route , you need to get a private Ed Psych assessment . That differentiation if scores is a red flag . I really wish I had done this earlier.

*stanine

122 in maths on GL is not average. It’s the 8th stamina and so above average (and towards the top end of that).

So it’s just her English letting her down, which can be worked on.

I really don’t think you should be entering her for 11+ . The stress for a child who is not academic will be immense and unfair. Grammar schools in our area are far more academic than most private schools .
A decent comprehensive would be better placed for her learning gap or a private school that is less competitive with exam results.

What does your DD like? Independent schools are brilliant for extracurricular activities and some are leaning towards arts, music, etc. Some are quite sporty.

Depending on your DDs personality, she may enjoy small class sizes and a small, nurturing school or the opposite.

As an example, our DS is very outgoing and loves sports. In addition to academics, we also wanted a big secondary school where the sports teams were brilliant. That school would be completely unsuitable for a shy boy who wanted to “have a go” at different sports as he never would have made even the F team.

DS would have hated a small school as he would have missed the buzz of a big school. He would also have hated his football/cricket team loosing against other schools due to a small selection of boys to chose from.

Other schools would have a higher focus on arts/music. We would have loved that but for us the school size and sports were more important.

Sounds like private sector hadn’t really helped her so far…