Finding a prep school in Y8

[LaLaLaWhoopsieDaisy]

Do you think it would be possible to find a prep school place for Y8, or mid-way through Y7? Principally in prep schools in the South East (south of London). We may have to relocate though we are not sure exactly when at the moment.

@LaLaLaWhoopsieDaisy , do you have a secondary place for year 9 already lined up because if so I'm sure every prep school would be keen because they struggle to keep dc for years 7-8 (so have space). If you don't have another school place lined up you might do better to got into an all through school that has space.

I think outside London this would be very easy. Schools tend to have more space generally and could easily add a child. We moved, admittedly at a natural joining point, but each of the three schools I rang was willing to give my child a y8 place without many questions.

You might be lucky at somewhere like Epsom or Brighton College which feeds the secondary intake at year 9 or via an occasional place at a secondary from 11. Or do you already have a secondary lined up and need CE? Tbh the sooner you move the better .

*year 7 that should say

Please please please stop being rich and getting your kids into better schools so that they will do better in life than my kids. It is really depressing. Please become poor and send your kid to a rough comp.

Or can you give me your money so I can send my kids to private school, their comp is really rough and I feel bad for them?

Yes. A lot of prep schools have spaces y7 and 8 because they lose children who go down the 11+ entry route, but I would question if that’s a good idea for a child. Would the plan be to move them for 1 year and move again at y9. Can’t you find a school which goes through to 16 or 18.

As others have said, I don't think you'd have any trouble at all, though moving them at that age would seem to mean an all through school would make sense.

So sorry. I was that kid at the rough comp and it did take what felt like a long time for me to work up the ladder to get to the place where some people started. Good luck!

thank you, I was the kid at the posh school and worked my way down the ladder so my kids are now at the rough comp - I feel guilty!

Thanks@tennissquare @Bleepbloopbluurp @BountySunshine @tachetastic I have applied to schools from Y9. A couple start at Y9, the others go all the way through, we have yet to hear back as it’s still quite early. Great to hear there should be places somewhere though, I’d like DC to get into a feeder prep if possible so on moving up there will be some familiar faces at the school. I’ve heard that the preps attached to the colleges may be full, but also that places can come up, so we’ll just have to cross fingers and plead if it comes to it!