Common entrance from 3-18 through school?

[christmaswreaths]

My son is at a 3-18 independent school and got a number of reasons we have had a change of heart for senior school and would like to consider a 13plus school.

Question is whether we can prepare him for common entrance and keep him at the same school or should we move him to a prep? I wanted to.minimize disruption.

Has anyone ever done this or is it totally unrealistic?

Struggling to picture exactly where you are but have you looked at Aysgarth School? Friends son went from there to Eton not long ago. They also send boys to Harrow and the odd one to Winchester. Idyllic setting.

I'd forgotten about Aysgarth - it's in Yorkshire and as Eleanor says, it's sends boys to all the top public schools. My friend's boys loved their time there.

Lots of prep schools are able to prepare boys for CE level to Eton and similar. My understanding from OP was that her son needed a much more challenging academic level than the present selective school and potentially plan B of scholarship to another suitable senior school or Warden's list to Radley. That would mean a prep school that consistently stretches DCs to prepare for the more difficult scholarships or Winchester Entrance (and can do it with full time boarders so do not rely on parents supplementing with home tutoring during term-time).
A school like Aysgarth will send a handful of boys to Eton etc, will have experience of standards needed for scholarships at several public schools and will have had an occasional success for the more difficult ones. That will be less academic than the two Oxford prep schools but with the major advantage of proximity It could well be the best compromise.

I have had a look and I agree that Aysgarth may well be the best compromise as it is indeed relatively close to us (I cannot believe I never heard of it).

I will go and visit as soon as possible when we get back. I think being in a school 1 hour or so away would mean he would be able to come home every weekend too, which would also provide some degree of gradual change.

I can't thank you enough for the help, I started this thread with a sense of panic and I have a much clearer view of the situation now.

Aysgarth is boys only or Mowden Hall, which is co-ed. both excellent for preparing to top senior schools. Out with the usual Eton, Harrow, WinColl debate don't overlook Oundle School for highly academic stretching. Easier to get to from the north also Ampleforth is closer to home for you and some very bright children there too. Scottish options would be Fettes, very academic again or Merchiston Castle, very strong in sport and engineering/ sciences both in Edinburgh.

Hope that helps.