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AIBU?

In attempting to move dd from state to independent school at start of year 9

38 replies

Earthseasky · 11/09/2022 23:03

For reasons I won't go into, I am in the unexpected position of having to consider moving my daughter from the (decent) comprehensive she attends currently to an independent school. Not something I ever thought I would do, but current school are not meeting her needs.

I have never looked into this or prepared for this type of school entry before. We are not in a grammar school area, so no experience of lengthy preparation for any type of entrance exam. An initial look at websites of the two nearest potential schools both mention an entrance test, with this being 11 plus for year 7 entry. I presume the year 9 entry would be a similar age appropriate exam, but no idea where I would find practice papers or how to prepare for this. Also, if I move her, I want it to be soon, and therefore don't have time for a long period of preparation. She is bright, but not genius level, and she was the year which did not sit SATS due to covid, so hardly any exam experience.

Has anyone done this and got any tips/ know what to expect? Am I being unrealistic? We are talking about the kind of independent schools where fairly normal, if affluent people send their kids (eg high earning NHS or other public sector workers), nothing extremely fancy.

Thanks in advance.

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WorkingItOutAsIGo · 12/09/2022 07:27

Good luck. There is a usual entry point in year nine as traditionally this is when boys’ public schools start. But you aren’t looking for something usual because most people are planning ahead a year or two and it sounds like you want to move her now.

so pick up the phone and start calling. Somewhere will have a space and provided you and she are nice and don’t look like trouble makers you will find somewhere. They are businesses after all and need paying customers, especially in this economic climate.

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BlueThingie · 12/09/2022 07:41

OP, what year is your daughter in now? You're talking about Y9 entry but also about moving her "as soon as possible" so I'm not clear whether you want her to sit Y9 entrance in the normal way or whether you're looking to move mid-year.

Either way, first step is to get on the phone and find out which schools have places and what the procedure is. They should also be able to direct you to any sample papers etc.

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Earthseasky · 12/09/2022 08:18

Hi, thanks all @ForfuckssakeEXHstopbeingatwat thanks, that's really reassuring to know. I'm one of these people educated in the state sector who has always been vehemently pro state education, but like many, as soon as it starts failing your child it is hard to maintain that stance.
@BlueThingie She is in year 9. We have had a terrible start and I am concerned about a number of things which the school are currently not being helpful about (though got a meeting this week hopefully). I am not prepared to take any risks with her education the year before GCSEs start, so if we move her I want it to be asap.
@WorkingItOutAsIGo she is certainly not a trouble maker. Don't think I am either but I will assert myself if I feel she is being let down!

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BlueThingie · 12/09/2022 08:25

Speed is of the essence then- I’d start ringing round today. Certainly it can be done if there are places- a private school near us took on about 20 new joiners mid year during lockdown.

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ForfuckssakeEXHstopbeingatwat · 12/09/2022 08:41

OP I am sort of in your neck of the woods, please PM me if you'd like

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StopStartStop · 12/09/2022 08:47

My dd went independent, and it's definitely the way to go, in my opinion.

One thing I noticed then, that you might need to be aware of - at the end of Year 9, girls who were not co-operative in school or were not achieving at the required level found that their places mysteriously disappeared. A letter would arrive stating 'We are not able to accommodate your daughter in the school next year, we do not have a place available.' As it was an independent school, parents had no right of recourse, even if the child had been through prep and main school until then.

I mention this because you are putting your child into a system which looks out for itself first, even though schools can be very caring and supportive on the surface.

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ChannelLightVessel · 12/09/2022 09:58

My DD is at a GDST school outside London/South East, and has just started Yr 9. There’s a new girl in her form, and another who started part-way through last term (I don’t know her circumstances, but she was previously at a well-regarded local comprehensive; we live outside its catchment area), so I think there are places around, and they are used to taking students during the year.
I wouldn’t stress too much about any entrance exam; they may accept reports/marks from her previous school, and you aren’t looking for a bursary/scholarship. Better to consider whether the school is the right fit for your DD. Good luck!

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Earthseasky · 12/09/2022 11:33

Thanks @StopStartStop , definitely no problems with behaviour or cooperation in lessons, she is conscientious. She is academically able, I guess though coming from the state sector there may be quite a bit of catch-up to do, but she would have a lot of support from us with this. It's good to know that can be an issue though.
@ForfuckssakeEXHstopbeingatwat thanks so much for the offer, may take you up on that later when have more time.
@ChannelLightVessel thanks, that is reasssuring.

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jeaux90 · 12/09/2022 18:14

Yes my DD13 year 9 has 2 new girls in her class of 14 so just call round your short list and arrange a visit.

Good luck!

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Earthseasky · 12/09/2022 19:11

Thanks - I am looking mainly at 2, got through to one today, which has places.
Still not definite about the move, but going to visit and consider options.

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Ithinkthatisenoughnowthanks · 12/09/2022 19:18

I teach in an independent - it is pretty common to have students come in during year 9 but there is sometimes a numbers issue. It’s not always possible to admit entry because we’re full - however, there is regular movement, people shifting out of the area with work etc so I would expect if you apply now, you would get in for year 10 in a worse case scenario. However, that might depend on the school. All independents are different.

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aokii · 13/09/2022 09:00

Hope it goes well OP - good luck with the visit!

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Earthseasky · 13/09/2022 11:05

Thanks - @aokii will see how it goes.

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