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Original poster

Chances of getting into academically selective independent school from state primary

59 replies

Schoolsdilemma123 · 30/10/2023 10:20

Hello,
Longtime MN lurker here - first time posting. I'm in Hertfordshire and when DS is older I'd love him to go to one of the academically selective independent schools within reach such as St Albans boys, QE, or habs. We are applying to primary school now and I would like him to go to our (Good- rated) local state school as its right on our doorstep so mornings would be easy and he would have local friends. I assumed that we wouldn't have a problem getting him in to one of academically selective secondary schools later on if we pay for tutoring and nurture his extra- curricular interests etc. Obviously I think he's a little genius but every parent thinks that about their kid so may not be accurate!
However, I recently spoke to a parent who is sending her children to private prep school for primary; she claimed that 100% of them pass the entrance exams to the secondary schools of their choice and it's much more difficult for state school kids to get in, even with tutoring. Is this true? I've been looking at various schools websites to try to find out roughly what % of their intake comes from prep schools vs state but the data doesn't seem to be available.
We can afford private primary but I'd prefer to have a few years to build up our savings before we start paying school fees as we've just spent a lot on doing up the house. Plus the issue of having to drive him every morning. I'm aware some parents choose 'state until 8' but my son is highly strung and I think uprooting him halfway through his primary school career would really unsettle him so I'd like to make the right choice from the outset. Thanks so much if you've read through this essay and have any advice!

OP posts:
Potterinthegarden · 30/10/2023 11:32

The main selection criteria in the independent sector remains ability to pay. Lot of state school children pass.

Saschka · 30/10/2023 11:08

Of course not every private school child passes the entrance exam to the secondary of their choice, or Eton would have an intake of about 30000.

Prep school children will have an advantage as they will be spending much of year 5 prepping for entrance exams. But if your child is bright and is willing to be tutored, he’ll have as good a chance as anyone else.

If he is kind of middling, or doesn’t want to be tutored, maybe not - whereas a middling child at a private school would probably get in. Which is what parents are paying for.

Discointhekitchen · 30/10/2023 10:57

I agree with PPs about this woman validating her choices.

I find this attitude that a kid who goes to state school is condemned to a second rate education for life is nonsense.

Plenty of state school kids do get in to private. In fact, private exams are easier than the 11+.

but realistically, you will need to prep kids. It also helps if your child is naturally studious - they can be prepped to pass.

it all depends on how bright your kid is- really bright ones will be fine.

I don’t know your area but, I’d say that shelling out for the prep is probably the best way to secure a place in the senior school.

ErrolTheDragon · 30/10/2023 10:56

However, I recently spoke to a parent who is sending her children to private prep school for primary; she claimed that 100% of them pass the entrance exams to the secondary schools of their choice

DD went to a private junior school (up north, so nothing like the arms race down south!Grin) where they would say that all kids would get into the secondary school of their parents choice. This seemed to be true, but the school was very good at steering parents towards the appropriate secondaries for their child. So that claim may not be quite what she'd like you to think!

MrsMiagi · 30/10/2023 10:51

If you can afford it, pay for the prep school. There will be so many applying for the secondary places your child will have a better chance by going to the prep.
It shouldn't be this way I know. But if I am honest, if I could afford it I would send my children to private schools in a heartbeat.

MrsKwazi · 30/10/2023 10:51

Eldest started in state, second child started in private after we moved eldest beginning of year2. The diff in their education, approach to work and attitude to school, self esteem was vast up to
about yr5 when eldest ‘caught up’. If you can afford it, start as you mean to go on.

roses2 · 30/10/2023 10:47

For both QE and academically selective private school start tutoring (either yourself; Atom Learning or other tutor) from Year 3. Seriously. It is super competitive.

QE had 3,000 boys sit the exam this year for 150 places.

We're currently looking at academically private for 2024 entry where it is 35 places and 500 applicants. We started end Year 5 which we now realise was too late.

BoohooWoohoo · 30/10/2023 10:43

The other parent is going to say that because she wants to look smart for paying for prep. If her child is at an academically selective prep then her child's chances will be higher because the child is starting at a higher level.

State school kids get into academically selective independents with the right tutoring. Academically selective preps get kids into top schools because they can manage out kids who aren't going to get offers. The 100% statistic is silly too. At the top preps virtually everybody will get an offer somewhere but it's so competitive that they don't just walk into any school of their choice. Eg you might have a pupil who gets St Paul's but not Westminster which is fine because they are top schools and you only need one school place.

MabelMaybe · 30/10/2023 10:34

I don't have kids in private education but this:

"However, I recently spoke to a parent who is sending her children to private prep school for primary; she claimed that 100% of them pass the entrance exams to the secondary schools of their choice and it's much more difficult for state school kids to get in, even with tutoring. Is this true?"

She would say that, wouldn't she? She's validating her choices!

One step at a time - get your DS into primary, then look at options for secondary. I don't buy the idea that private secondary pupils only come from private primary school.