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Original poster

Moving from State to Private in Year 8 - SW London

31 replies

PatientVesta · 11/03/2025 13:53

Some of you may have seen my other posts.

We opted to stay in the state sector for secondary for various reasons.

Our eldest will be starting in September and my question now is: if, for one reason or another, this choice isn't right, how easy is it to move to a local independent senior school in year 8 or 9? I'm thinking of our local independent schools, such as Emanuel, Streatham and Clapham, Surbiton, Ibstock Place etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
PatientVesta · 11/03/2025 15:18

Of course it's dependent on the school having the space, that goes without saying. There is a lot of movement in London as a lot of people move out and, as others said, people also go boarding, etc.
I was also reading that for Emanuel, for example, they take into account results from the current school

"Entry is on the basis of the applicant’s most recent school report, which parents are asked to provide upon making their child’s application, and entrance exams which would usually take place in May prior to entry in September. For year 8 entry, pupils sit exams in Maths, English and a modern foreign language (Spanish, French or German). For year 9 and 10 entry, pupils sit exams in Maths, English, Science and a modern foreign language (Spanish, French or German).

OP posts:
minipie · 11/03/2025 15:09

All these schools are full so you would have to hope someone leaves during Y7.

If there is a space, your child will need to take tests and will be competing with anyone else who wants that place. That may be quite a few.

Not easy I’d say but not impossible. I wouldn’t expect to have a choice of schools though, you will be dependent on where spaces crop up.

Albertine130 · 11/03/2025 15:04

Yes I understand you are referring to potentially joining in Y8. My thinking was if your DC had sat the exams and had been were offered a place for Y7, then they would at least know that your DC met the academic standard and therefore you may have an easier route in if trying to join later.

letsgogirl · 11/03/2025 15:02

Relatively easy if they pass the exam. Certainly at DCs London schools they had joiners and leavers in year 8 and 9. Leavers in y8 tended to be families who had moved away. In year 9 a handful went to boarding school and other schools as well as a few moving abroad.

Original poster
PatientVesta · 11/03/2025 15:00

Albertine130 · 11/03/2025 14:55

Did you DC sit for these schools for entry in Year 7? If so, it May make it easier to join mid year but it is no guarantee. If they are full for Year 7, then I would think you are reliant on another child being withdrawn..

I didn't mean for year 7, I meant for year 8. And no, we opted not to sit for the exams.

OP posts:
Albertine130 · 11/03/2025 14:55

Did you DC sit for these schools for entry in Year 7? If so, it May make it easier to join mid year but it is no guarantee. If they are full for Year 7, then I would think you are reliant on another child being withdrawn..

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