September born - will some schools allow DD to take 7+ exam a year early

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Hi,

My DD is born in September 2012 so should be entering 7+ in 2020 and taking the assessments in early 2020. Anyone had any experience of schools allowing a child to take the 7+ exam one year early e.g. if they are moving from abroad to London and the curriculum may be more ahead?

TIA!

Some private schools do allow grade skipping.

Beware of assuming that other curricula would be ahead - it is pretty unlikely, in my experience, even in countries such as Singapore.

It is not just curriculum, there is also the issue of maturity. Size of child for sport, ability to make friends, movement to next school etc. Why not be one of the best in the correct year group? It is not always a happy experience to be in the wrong year group.

Thanks a lot for the insight.

I want to try DD for 7+ as we will move to London in 2019 and I would rather she start school at 7+ with everyone else in the class rather than trying to find a school place for her for one year where she will be the only new girl. Also my youngest is due to start 4+ in 2019 so am hoping they can start 4+ and 7+ in same school.

Any idea which private school will be more flexible re age? Thanks

There is a lot of movement in primary school. She would be unlikely to be the only new girl and, even if she were, it would not be a big deal. Unless she is truly academically exceptional and very mature for her age, it makes no sense to try and skip her in the London system (which is already very competitive and pressured from a young age).

That is useful thanks. I worry about bullying of the new girl especially in all girls schools.....

My experience of new girls is that they are invariably fussed over and welcomed with open arms. Many 7+ for girls are highly competitive as it is not a natural switching point for many girls' schools. I would not seek to make it harder in an already competitive system to apply out of year. Also the secondaries may well be even stricter and you may find your choice of secondary restricted by your decision at this point.
Look for a girls 4-11 prep with an occasional place maybe?