Cheltenham Ladies College Yr 7 entry

[Areherenow]

Hi, I am looking at schools in the Gloucester area for my dd who is currently in year 5. We have been very impressed by CLC, the ethos, the range of teaching etc. and the general vibe. However dd has an average cat score of about 123 with ranges from 110 to 130 and I am wondering if she may struggle to gain entry and settle in if she did. She is adamant this is where she wants to go to, but I am not wanting to hot house her throughout the entrance process and then all the way to gcse! Anyone have a little more info? Is it more rounded academically than I am thinking? Thank you x

I don't think CLC have CAT scores in such. My daughter sat the exam last week and I believe they look at different factors and not only academic.

Happymom2 thank you for the insight. I wasn't sure whether there would be a 'cat type' element as I can see a past english paper on line but nothing on maths and there is mention of a pre assessment. I hope your dd gets what she wants after the exam last week. Have you attended any of the open days? I was also wondering how childcentric they were or whether they were parent facing and whether there would be better ways to give her more insights this year into the school.

Yes I have attended open days with my daughter few times. I would say it's a lovely school and they have children from all background.

With regards to assessment, my daughter did a pre assessment back in Sept and was through to next stage.

They also need reference from your daughter current school.

The ex itself was ok. Pm if u need more details.

At the moment I don't know if my daughter has passed the entrance exam so I can't advice on material I used. If she passed I will be more than happy to tell you what I did

I think CLC is looking for all around rather than just the most bright at year 7. They are quite adamant on that. They want engaged enthusiastic girls who have potential. Your daughter should definitely apply if she is keen.

Mine has just done the entrance exam as well and we should know by early Feb.

Happymom and dilet, I was wondering how your daughters did with their entrance exams?

Bodecea, my daughter passed her entrance exam and we have place at CLC

That’s great news! Congratulations! My DD is still only in Yr1 so we have a while to go, however I have started considering schools and seeing what requirements are. May I ask how you prepared yours please?

I think CLC are looking for all round children rather than academic, excel on maths and English will help. A lot of reading and comprehension around year 4.

The personality of a child matters to I believe

It's a long way off for you but I shouldn't think things will change much.

We were also successful and my daughter will be starting as a boarder next September in year 7.

I agree with happy in that I do believe CLC is looking for all around qualities - with less of a pure emphasis on academic achievement that you might see at Wycombe or the top London day schools. Their results show the value add, rather than just the high intake level on the academic side. I suspect those who gain entry for sixth form have to be pretty top notch though.

That being said, there will certainly need to be an above average ability in the general academic area. The current year test included a comprehension and creative writing piece, as well as an online maths tests. We anticipated the test being very hard but actually my daughter thought it was fine in the end - easier than she expected.

My daughter has admittedly been at a top London prep for 7 years so she was obviously well set up without me doing much more. We did use a tutor once a week for the last 8 months leading up to 11+ because she suffered during Covid and needed some help catching up. We also did some practice comprehensions at home. She did a bit of Atom learning but not much. Otherwise she just read for pleasure and was herself.

I think the assessment actually counted quite a bit as well. I listened in a bit at the door (!) and it's clear they wanted girls who showed a genuine interest in learning and engaging with all the things CLC has to offer.

And of course the reference from current school will need to be enthusiastic.

Just keep going on a path of love of learning. Read and discuss as a family. Encourage maths in everyday life.

@bodecea and @DilettanteMum I was just wondering how your daughters are getting on? We are going to see the school on Monday.

My daughter helped with the open day today so you may have seen her.

She is getting on well now, although we all found it a bit harder to adjust to boarding then we expected! She loves the school though and is taking full advantage of everything on offer.