GHS 4+

[foreverhopeful7]

Hi there, we are planning on our DD to sit the upcoming 4+ at GHS. We are very keen on this school so I would be super grateful if anyone whose daughters have sat it in recent years would be willing to share what their daughters were tested on and also any useful prep they did ahead of the assessments. Thank you so much in advance!

Do they actually test students at 4yo? Like Maths and English or if they can go to the toilet themselves and know that they get inside if there is a thunderstorm outside?

Does GHS stand for Guildford High School?

Hi there- yes, sorry, 'GHS' is Guildford High School. My understanding is that there will be two assessments and they are actually fairly demanding in terms of what the children are required to do so was wondering if any previous applicants had any insights please?

My DD is at GHS. I obviously don't know what they actually tested for, but my impression was that they looked less for specific skills than other selective schools (Wimbledon High told us ahead of time that our 4 year olds would be expected to sequence beads! ) and were more interested in the whole child as an individual.

They do loads of different things in the assessment days, including craft, reading the childrem a story and talking about it.

I don’t think you need to specifically prepare for it. They were very clear when we joined that they didn't test a child's ability to read, for example. But they can only assess what they see, so I'd suggest that encouraging your DD to talk to people (eg paying fo

Oh dear - pressed post by mistake! Fail for me!

The teachers can only assess what they see, so I'd suggest that encouraging your DD to talk to people she doesn't know (eg paying for things at the shop and saying thank you for the change, handing over their books at the library, and speaking a few words to the librarian etc) will be helpful.

The assessments are really fun for the girls. You don't need to worry about them feeling pressure, in the way you would at a later age. The girls have no idea that they are being assessed: they're just having an afternoon doing fun things with engaged adults and other children.

It's a really great school, and DD is very happy there. Good luck with the assessments.

@ghsmumsoon - thank you so much for this, really appreciate it.

Hi there, my DD has her assessment in October and I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing how your daughter‘s assessment was if you can remember of course!! Thank you in advance.

My child had a 4+ assessment morning at a different school recently and the trouble with four year olds is they can't tell you anything useful about what it involved at all (mine couldn't, anyway).

@foreverhopeful7 completely understand! I’m a first time mum and have only decided to go down the private school route so wondered if anyone could shed some light on prep / confidence boosting activities? Would you mind sharing your experience? I’m a full time working mum (my mother looks after my daughter) so finding time to do these various activities with her is difficult during the week but I would like to try to give her the best chance possible :)

Does she attend nursery or pre-school. Both are more adequate prep as kids learn to be confident around other kids in busy environments, learn to share, play, interact and be confident too. 4+ isnt really a thing and im sure GHS will take anyone, like most schools, as theres plenty of time to filter kids out if they dont fit the academic/ school mold as they progress up through the years. At 4+ they're just easy money for them. But if anything they'll be looking to see all the attributes any age apropriately socialised child of 4+ would show.