Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Education

Join the discussion on our Education forum.

Original poster

7+ offer dilemma

14 replies

DareDemo · 01/02/2018 22:57

DS has received an offer from a top London junior school for 7+ which has come as a bit of a surprise as we didn't tutor him or prep him too much, and his school obviously hasn't done much either. It's really great and I am super proud...

BUT, he is a happy, confident kid who goes to a (very average) independent school next to his house, surrounded by good friends and loved by his teachers. He really loves the school and his friends mean a lot to him. However, this is a school where not a single student has cleared the 11+ to the school DS has got admission to.

I feel terrible moving DS from such a warm environment to a school miles away and worry he may lose his spark. He may never get to play football in the local park in the evenings and spend time doing fun boy things. If I don't move him, though, he will definitely miss out on some great experiences he may otherwise never get.

My question to dear MNers is - are heavily academic schools really worth it? Would coming out of a school at the top of league tables really make a difference in kids' lives? I hope someone can convince me that an academic environment can help DS in the long run!

OP posts:
pigshavecurlytails · 02/02/2018 06:14

Move him. The 11+ is hell, anything you can do not to have to do it is worthwhile.

AnotherNewt · 02/02/2018 06:21

"He may never get to play football in the local park in the evenings"

I think you are catastrophising. Even with the longer school run, he'll have much the same amount of free time at much the same times of day. If he wants to go to the park for a bit, he'll still be able to. He'll,still do the things he finds fun.

I am assuming here that it's a reasonable, not a hellish, school run.

ShiningWhit · 02/02/2018 06:38

Well done that boy. I can't believe you are having this dilemma. Move him!

Abitofaproblem · 02/02/2018 08:41

Congratulations! Why did you put him in for the exam in the first place?

Abetes · 02/02/2018 10:31

Move him definitely. He’ll make new friends and be loved by new teachers.

PenguindreamsofDraco · 02/02/2018 11:08

Why on earth would you have him sit the exam if you weren't sure about taking up an offer?

And yes, move him. A decent school will provide all the 'fun boy things' and help him achieve his potential.

Original poster
DareDemo · 02/02/2018 11:28

The 11+ is hell, anything you can do not to have to do it is worthwhile.

Yes I am convinced Grin

OP posts:
Tolacar · 02/02/2018 11:36

Defo move him, the 11+ is awful

godricshollow · 02/02/2018 14:37

I would take it - depending on how long a commute you have signed him up for. If you live in NW London and have an offer from KCS, I'm not sure anything's worth that journey every day at age 7.

Original poster
DareDemo · 02/02/2018 15:51

godricshollow The commute is not too bad as it's a few stops (tho at rush hour!) on the train and it is in fact our nearest super selective. Plus we are renting so have flexibility to move if needed as well. But will miss the 5 mnt walk to school!

OP posts:
BubblesBuddy · 02/02/2018 16:47

It is a no-brainer isn't it really? He has done well and he should move. He will be with like-minded chidren and he will move on and be friends with them. He will also do sport at his new school and there is no reason why he cannot stay friends with chidren he knows from the local school. Nurturing schools are all very well, but by Y3, some children need more. They definitely need more by Y6. They need to work and play with more children like them. It takes future stress away so you are being kind to him!

godricshollow · 02/02/2018 20:50

Yes - what Bubbles said. No brainer in that case! You won't regret it.

ChocolateWombat · 03/02/2018 10:00

There was a reason why you applied to this other school. You now need to remember what those reasons were and if you had given it long and careful thought before applying, be guided by those carefully thought out reasons, rather than temporary cold feet reasons.

Re does it really lead to a better life if you went to a top school? Hard to say. Loads of people in life are very happy who went to crap, mediocre and great schools. Some from all categories also have miserable lives. Will he have more opportunities? Probably yes.

Original poster
DareDemo · 04/02/2018 19:51

Thanks all for the awesome advice! We've taken up the offer and looking forward to September! DS sad to leave his friends but we've been watching videos of all the activities he will get to do at the new school and he is quite excited now :)

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread