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Original poster

Has anyone been offered an independent school place after rejection letter?

35 replies

Eighthour · 07/02/2023 13:00

Have heard of one instance of this happening before, surprisingly with a very academic school.

Our son has had no offers (and we are unlikely to get a nearby state school on 1st March) so I'm weighing up whether I should continue to call around Admissions Departments or am I wasting everyone's time?

They have Waiting List to offer before they even consider offering further down the list.

The feedback I've had so far is that he has a spiky profile with brilliant results interviews and NVR but English in particular lets him down.

Has anyone had this happen and if so at which schools? We are SW London.

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elevenplusmum22 · 03/01/2024 18:59

Sorry @Eighthour I've only just seen your reply. Did you get it sorted? Fingers crossed.

Reed's is tricky as a lot sit it as a back up for RGS particularly as ISEB so it skews the results/offers a little vs the acceptance but I have heard the WL has moved if that's the one you were on?

LIZS · 08/02/2023 08:56

Influence really depends how close the results were. If they are very out of step with those already offered it seems unlikely to change the situation. What else can your dc bring to a school (strong rugby player may trump weaker academics for example) but presumably you would have already mentioned that. Tbh I would be very surprised if they changed to a wl or offer at this stage unless he significantly underperformed his potential, and several rejections suggest it was not just a bad day. Heads find out results before parents , so they could have stepped in sooner if they really felt it was unreasonable not to even wl.

Original poster
Eighthour · 08/02/2023 08:50

Thank you @LIZS . So we really need a firm 13+ offer before the end of term.

How would you stack Reeds up against Epsom and St John’s @elevenplusmum22 ?

How much weight do we think prep heads have if DC hasn’t made the exam scores they need?

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elevenplusmum22 · 08/02/2023 08:45

St John's applications were 8:1 last year vs Epsom 3.5:1 although Epsom would have been considered more "academic", if that helps OP.

LIZS · 08/02/2023 08:39

13+ places aren't committed until year 8. Some pupils may have more than one offer and keep both until then. Do any of your rejections offer a direct 13+ entry process in year 8? It is only worth staying in year 7/8 if there are realistic options still open to your dc and they can work on the weaker areas. Presumably you need to give notice at Easter for a September move so time for an alternative to come up is limited.

Original poster
Eighthour · 08/02/2023 08:24

Was that comment referring to WLs? When is the acceptance date for 13+ and what factors are influencing movement?

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FlawlessSquid · 08/02/2023 08:16

It’ll be waste of time & not necessarily a good thing for your DC.

LIZS · 08/02/2023 07:41

Did you apply for 11+ or deferred 13+ entry?

Nevermindthesquirrels · 08/02/2023 07:34

Have you looked at Thames Christian College? It sounds like your child might have a learning difficulty if they have a spiky profile and they're very good with those.

Original poster
Eighthour · 08/02/2023 07:01

Ww have been advised 13+ waiting lists don’t really move. I think there’s a much longer acceptance period and boys can be left in limbo all through year 7 and 8. Has anyone been through this?

OP posts:
user1465390476 · 08/02/2023 07:01

I’ve no advice about the schools you are talking about but a spiky profile suggests there could be a specific learning difficulty. I would definitely have him tested if you haven’t already.

Digimoor · 08/02/2023 06:51

Has your head suggested any other schools?
London Park School Clapham is opening on it's new site in 2023
Is Thomas' secondary school in Putney Vale full?

Original poster
Eighthour · 07/02/2023 22:57

The head is speaking to schools and very supportive

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Nevermindthesquirrels · 07/02/2023 16:17

Your head needs to be helping with this. That's what you're paying for. If he can stay till 13 that at least that's something.

HawaiiWake · 07/02/2023 15:28

Other schools to add to your list - Fulham Senior, Knightsbridge School. They do IGCSE, so your DS can do 13+ or move afterwards for Sixth Form A levels.

You can ask if there are movement on WL but last year there were hardly any.

RedDogBlueDog · 07/02/2023 15:11

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

Digimoor · 07/02/2023 14:52

13+ not 11+ - I'm sure you know what I meant!

Digimoor · 07/02/2023 14:51

If you are at a prep you need to call the Head - otherwise he/she may assume you are happy to stay and try again at 11+

You are paying for them to call round schools and help solve your problem!

Original poster
Eighthour · 07/02/2023 14:33

No intervention from Head so far. We applied to schools the prep were in agreement with - quite a range academically - a couple were a stretch but worth applying to. I'm not sure we have any grounds for arguing his case

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SamPoodle123 · 07/02/2023 14:26

I would be in touch with admissions and try to find out more about the spikey results....did he make it to the interview round but it was a no in the end? If it was only because of English, could you perhaps argue his case? For example, is English his second language? My dd is stronger in math and less so in English/verbal because she goes to a bilingual school, so is taught completely in a different language half the time. I assume dc coming from families that have one or two other languages might have similar. But schools would not know about this, unless you tell them.

LIZS · 07/02/2023 14:22

Has your head not advocated for your ds already? Most prep heads will do so if they feel a child has underperformed or are particularly well suited for a school. Were the ones you applied to and have been rejected by those the school advised?

Original poster
Eighthour · 07/02/2023 14:17

We are at a prep that goes to 13+ and I am hoping to speak to the head this week. Where would you say St Johns sits academically - above Ibstock but below Hampton?

OP posts:
RedDogBlueDog · 07/02/2023 14:14

This reply has been withdrawn

The OP has privacy concerns and so we've agreed to take this down.

Original poster
Eighthour · 07/02/2023 14:03

Unfortunately we can't stretch to a new library or sports hall!

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Original poster
Eighthour · 07/02/2023 14:02

Thanks - I won't mention the school name but it's mid tier. Not super academic - sits around the same level at Ibstock or a little higher.

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