Is it even worth applying for a school place?

[InterestingIntrovert]

DS is in year 6 at a large state primary. We are looking at a selective private school for secondary. The admissions system seems so full on and I feel overwhelmed.

DS is bright but last year had a very average report (previous years had been excellent). He is very quiet and lacks confidence. I am unsure if he would perform well at all, at either the written or social assessments. However, this is the reason why we like the school - to focus him and give him confidence.

I keep debating whether it's even worth the application fee as I think his chance of getting a place is so low. He is bright for his state school but wouldn't probably come close to those already in the private sector. However, i am wondering with fees rising, whether the competition for places will be less fierce this year.

Argh...need to make a decision...please help!
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What is the admissions process?
Is it worth getting him a tutor for a while, just to build his confidence?

I say go for it!

If you feel a private and selective school would help (and its not automatically the case that it will) then I would apply on the basis that you generally regret the things you don't do more than the things you do. It's the cost of one application and maybe a bit of revision with your DS. It doesn't commit you to sending him. Could you afford a bit of pre exam coaching? It might be worth it if you can, purely to build his confidence.

On the other hand I'd do your research properly to make sure that the state options aren't up to it in the background. There may well be a state option which offers the same advantages at no cost.

A lot of private schools base a fair amount of entry on the interview, plus they big up how hard it is to get in. I would say you have nothing to lose.

@Br1ll1ant There isn't an interview as such, more like a social day to see how they interact with their peers. I think my son would really struggle with this though. He is incredibly sweet and polite but he would be pretty much silent the whole day.

Private schools aren't usually looking for academic geniuses right on day one. They want children who are well-behaved and have a positive attitude to learning, are team players with good potential. Some private schools do also select based on attainment but there are lots that don't, they all have an admissions process that requires testing but the "pass" or "fail" isn't always what you might think, they're not generally looking for the next Einstein.

We passed an assessment day with my DS who is on an EHCP for attainment. We ended up not going for that school, but DS still talks about the cupcakes they had a year later! Look at it as a fun day out to try something, see if you get anywhere, what's the worst that can happen?