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Original poster

Advice on private schools

68 replies

BrightLight04 · 15/07/2021 20:57

My 8y old DD is going to be in Y5 private school this year and it's time to start looking into the secondary schools. She's average in Maths and way below average in English (Comprehension and Creative writing are disaster). Hates reading anything hence no vocabulary. She has a brilliant tutor who struggles with her too. No SEN issues I was told about so far. I am obviously not looking into high profile schools, in fact I will have to put her name down for a state school option too as I fear a complete fiasco during 11+ exams. Which private schools might be an option for her? We are in SW London. Thank you.

OP posts:
HastaLaVistaBebe · 16/07/2021 09:12

Also, it's worth asking the school whether those scores are already adjusted for age, and how the exams for different target schools works. There may be schools that look more at maths than English, and that adjust her score up for being August born.

HastaLaVistaBebe · 16/07/2021 09:10

The above recommendations are good.

Do you have a meeting with your school to discuss future schools coming up? I would make sure you're well prepared for that, with ideas on what's important to you/DD, eg co-Ed, how far you are prepared to travel, whether green space matters, any particular sports or music. Your tutor may also be able to advise.

St John's is another option to consider.

Regarding getting the English score up, can you read to your DD and talk about the story / meaning of words?

PatsArrow · 16/07/2021 08:24

I think you've written off off the whole state sector without good reason.

I'm a school Governor in a MAT and I've seen teachers be incredibly supportive and achieve great things with children who might need a little help.

HelloDulling · 16/07/2021 08:12

Have a look at Sutton High GDST.

Lockdowndramaqueen · 16/07/2021 08:10

Audio books could be a good way to broaden her reading exposure.

Scaffoldhell · 16/07/2021 07:22

The above are all good recommendations. Her maths is high so you need to look at getting her a. English tutor to help with the 11+ process but her English generally. I would also look at radnor house and st catherines depending on where you are In SW London.

ExpulsoCorona · 15/07/2021 23:39

Where in SW London? Your school will give you some suggestions in year 5. You could look at Surbiton High, Sutton High, Streatham and Clapham girls, Notre Dame in Cobham if looking at girls school. For mixed you could look at perhaps Ewell Castle, Kew House, Hall School Wimbledon

daisypond · 15/07/2021 21:43

Aren’t those scores average and above average, though? Is 100 not the average? Are the scores age-adjusted? What does her tutor say?

Original poster
BrightLight04 · 15/07/2021 21:36

@Musication

Also either way, she doesn't sound like she's making very good progress. A good state school might be more supportive of her knowledge gaps.
Looking into private and state if she won't pass 11+.
OP posts:
Original poster
BrightLight04 · 15/07/2021 21:27

@Musication

How is your 8 year old about to go into year 5? That would put her a year ahead- any child who turns 8 by the 31st August will be going into y4.
She's August born. She will just turn 9 at the beginning of Y5
OP posts:
Musication · 15/07/2021 21:26

Also either way, she doesn't sound like she's making very good progress. A good state school might be more supportive of her knowledge gaps.

Original poster
BrightLight04 · 15/07/2021 21:26

@daisypond

When you say she’s average in maths and way below in English, do you mean in comparison to the rest of the class, or nationally?
They've done GL assessment at the end of the year and Maths is 122, English 105.
OP posts:
Musication · 15/07/2021 21:25

How is your 8 year old about to go into year 5? That would put her a year ahead- any child who turns 8 by the 31st August will be going into y4.

Original poster
BrightLight04 · 15/07/2021 21:24

No, I think private is better option for her as it can give much more than state.

We are reading every day together or she reads herself and tells me back what she read. I am working on it but it's a struggle.

OP posts:
daisypond · 15/07/2021 21:24

When you say she’s average in maths and way below in English, do you mean in comparison to the rest of the class, or nationally?

malteasergeezer · 15/07/2021 21:12

Has it not occurred to you that the state sector might suit her better, OP? You refer to it as it it's the bottom of the barrel.

If she is weak academically, entering her for the 11plus makes no sense at all.

If she "hates reading" and has " no vocabulary" what are you doing to address this?

Original poster
BrightLight04 · 15/07/2021 21:10

Current school won't be suggesting any schools at this stage as she has just finished Y4.
I don't mind single nor co-ed.

OP posts:
AnotherNewt · 15/07/2021 21:04

Where does her current school suggest?

Single sex or co-ed? Any other features you particularly value in a schooo?