Please or to access all these features

Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

London Oratory recent experiences

57 replies

gracijela · 07/03/2023 15:05

Dear all, my son has just been offered a place in LOS, and although we are very happy, there are some ambiguities I can't work out from the prospectus. My main question is: are we to expect a banding test in the near future, and are the boys divided into classes according to the (banding) outcomes? If so, how rigid are those 'bands' - eg. is there a level of mobility?
Also, has anyone received some information on 'transition days' or, for those more familiar with the procedures, do they normally hold some kind of summer camps for the future Y7? Many thanks.

OP posts:
DontKnowWhatItMeans · 12/07/2023 11:49

Me too but can anyone explain how many top middle or bottoms sets there are and how it's worked out. I though my son did well in the SATs. Help I need some context

Ebymk · 12/07/2023 00:20

Just got result on the bsnding?

Ebymk · 21/04/2023 01:58

Hi, my son also got admission to the same school this year, perhaps will can keep in touch.

gracijela · 15/03/2023 09:41

@Trickleg thank you. Their prospectus states that "the boys are assigned to one of three broad bands by ability" but it doesn't say how they assess it. Also, it says that the banding is 'monitored and reviewed' in y 7-9, but your friend's experience sounds worryingly different.

OP posts:
Trickleg · 07/03/2023 22:37

@gracijela a current parent! And as such it’s second hand information. Their belief was that once in a band you were in that band until the start of GCSE’s, but they flex after that. It’s not like some other schools where you move up and down every half term. They were fairly clear on this, but of course may be mistaken

gracijela · 07/03/2023 22:33

Trickleg, may I ask where you got your information from as I'd like to hear a bit more? Thank you.

OP posts:
Trickleg · 07/03/2023 16:46

My understanding from others is that the bands are very rigid - they last for years and it’s almost impossible to move up or down - but happy to be corrected