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Original poster

Leaving prep for 11plus school then moving again at 13 plus

31 replies

SuperGinger · 24/02/2022 14:29

I know this is controversial, I'm not very happy with DS's prep school and would like to move him at 11 plus as he has had offers. However if he gets offers to 13 plus schools, I would like him to attend one of the two we have put him forward for as they are both top notch. Would it be ok to accept an 11 plus school and then move at 13 plus and would he be adequately prepared for the 13 plus school?

OP posts:
TypsTrycks · 24/02/2022 15:24

Is it possible to do? Yes. Is it a good idea? Maybe not..

Most 13+ offers are conditional these days, as the test is taken more than 2 years ahead of time. It could be conditional on continuation at the current school, school reports at the end of Y7 or even talking to the Head at the prep school in Y7 and Y8 for personal feedback.

Would the grammar school or 11+ school happily give this feedback, grades and reference letters? As long as you are willing to take that risk and happy with the 11+ school to continue if needed, you should be fine.

I know of one 13+ school whose unconditional offer is truly unconditional, but they do ask for CE/scholarship exams to be taken at their premises in Y8.

Also you have the moral dilemma of wasting a 11+ seat that could go to someone on the WL.

Whatswrongwithakipper · 24/02/2022 15:06

We had about 3 boys turn up at our prep which goes to 13 as there prep finished at 11. Slightly different but all were completely fine

Original poster
SuperGinger · 24/02/2022 15:00

Thank you both very helpful. We will know about the offers for the others at the beginning of March.

OP posts:
hockeygrass · 24/02/2022 14:54

@SuperGinger , I know of a ds who was at a prep and went to KGS for 2 years and then moved to Hampton at 13 and fitted in fine. At his prep he had sat KGS 11plus and Hampton 13 plus so had both offers before he left his prep.
Also on MN a few years ago there was a Richmond based person who was going to send her rugby mad son to Whitgift (it's a tricky journey from Richmond) for 2 years and then to board Wellington at 13, he had both places. I don't know if she ever made the move.
I guess it depends if you have both offers now otherwise the new secondary school will have to write the reference for the 13plus school so you will have to tell them in advance of giving 1 terms notice.

Sweetnhappy1 · 24/02/2022 14:52

No direct experience but I think with 13+ schools, if you sit the exam in year 6 and get in, the offer letter is conditional on you staying at your current school until year 8.

Original poster
SuperGinger · 24/02/2022 14:39

All schools are London based.

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