Christ's Hospital residential assessment

[InquisitiveDad]

My son's got past the first part of the entry process - now it's the residential assessment on January 8th/9th. I know the format's been recently changed, but can anyone let us know what happens during his time there and whether there's anything we can work on in preparation?

I've got last year's Maths and English papers, and I'm sure there'll be some sort of interview so we can practise those, but what else is there?

Thanks in advance.

My son's have both been through the process (1 got in the other didn't) I think that there is now a computer based test. They do a PE 'test' - mainly to judge how good they are at having a go I think, certainly my DS is not very good a sports.

He will also be assessed from the moment he arrives to when he leaves - so no messing around!!

Good luck to youor son

random apostrophe - sorry

Thanks Derek - good point about the continuous assessment! He's had the computer-based tests already to get to this stage, but perhaps you're saying there are some some more computer based tests during the residential part too? What about team building tasks, and are there interviews - if so, who does them and are they the standard "why do you want to come to this school?" sort of thing? I guess I'm asking for a minute by minute breakdown of the two days, along with any traps he might fall into - but realistically I'm just hoping for a couple of pointers along the way! Thanks again.

maybe the computer tests were part of the initial assessment no idea what they talked about in the interview, they did group work, but tbh ds1 who got in is very bright but not hugely sociable. ds2 who didn't get in would have aced the group tasks etc but his literacy wasn't up to his maths standard, and this let him down, according to his rejection letter anyway.

I wouldn't worry. They know what type of child will suit the school....

watchdog I found you post a little bizarre and I've no axe to grind either way about Christ's although I'm not actually surprised at some of your negative comments, I've heard similar from others parents with DC's there. But you do appear to be contradicting yourself at times, in particular you say pastoral care is "poor" but it gives a "problematic child" "lots of TLC".
At every school there will always be detractors and supporters children who thrived and had a great time and children who've hated the place, perhaps more so at a boarding school. Your neighbours DC sounds like she's doing the right thing for her moving to Charterhouse.

i went there YEARS ago.
I wouldnt send any child to a boarding school. EVER.

Happygardening, maybe I wasn't clear - what I was trying to say from my understanding - the staff are too busy manning the pupils who are "trouble-makers" that the good ones are not being nurtured...but again there are always going to be a small percentage of pupils there whose confidence are not dampen by lack of guidance etc. They still go out there to be great achievers. This is true in all types of school but one would expect more from a selective fee-paying school!

No help on the current admissions procedure but I went there years ago and loved it, very best of luck.

watchdog thanks that makes sense, I too have heard from friends that the children with problems can take up an inordinate amount of time and that "good ones are not bring nurtured". But then this must apply to a certain extent in most boarding schools, the seriously wealthy are as capable of producing dysfunctional children as the poor and impoverished, let's face it no one does acrimonious divorce like the mega wealthy and this always has a very detrimental effect on children.

To Watchdog 4 and happy gardening I am a single parent and am so proud of my dd for making it in to ch a selective school she tried for yr7 but was unsuccessful we tried again for yr 9 this time successful. I am so proud of her for giving it a go. She has almost completed her first year. To parents that are trying out your child needs to be average or above average at least, the interview is the hardest part.She likes CH better than home because she is only child so she is not lonely. I also like the school because I don't feel out of place compared to when I visited other schools in London which offers big bursaries