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Original poster

HABS Girls & NLCS 4+ Assessments

31 replies

DBSB · 21/09/2022 16:33

Hi,

We are considering applying for 4+ at HABS girls / NLCS.

Does anyone have any tips on what to expect?
I have read through various threads but can't find any specifics? Appreciate no one really knows but any potential direction/information would be great, specifically from previous parents who have gone through the process.

Feel free to private message me or post on this thread :)

For example - I understand they need to be able to draw certain things or make things out of play dough etc. Any ideas what is expected in drawing level/examples and what they should be able to make with play dough?

Any information you can give, I would be grateful!

Thank you.

OP posts:

CatherineNichols · 24/09/2022 00:09

My child did the assessment for NLCS and to be honest the reason you probably haven’t heard much is that you are not allowed into the assessment and your child is too small to explain. What the my told us what’s they do a few activities with them and see how they get eg follow instructions etc. I also think they look at their social skills with the other children.

At this age I know it is hard to not want to try and get your child ready for the assessment but there is nothing you can do at this stage apart from reassuring them how exciting it will be and making it seem like a great fun day out so they are excited to be there.

good luck

passport123 · 25/09/2022 20:24

The schools all say that they don't want you to prepare - then they take the prepared kids. Search the threads by mumteacher on this subject.

4pluscraziness · 09/11/2022 22:06

Dear DBSB
Also have the 4+ assessments coming up for the same schools and starting to get really nervous about it all. Have read lots of posts about what the children seem to be expected to do which seems so much at only 3 years old. Wondering if the children need to be able to read as you see different posts - some which say yes and others that say no. Wonder if there will be a support thread for this year as could really use it!

Original poster

DBSB · 10/11/2022 09:16

Hi 4pluscraziness,

Yes it is all very daunting isn't it. Maybe for us more than them, I'm sure!
We were told at the open days that they are not expected to write or read but then you are right some threads on here say they should be able to. Its all very confusing! Regardless our dd cannot write or read and I think it might be too late to try and teach it.

OP posts:

Usernamehell · 10/11/2022 09:42

There is a lot of luck involved for getting in at 4 for both of the specific schools you mentioned. They will have more applicants than spaces that meet the criteria they are looking for and Habs in particular are known to select based on whether the parents of the child fit the mould they are looking for.

I personally don't think of it as an assessment you can prepare for in the few months as you lead up to it but more something to work at from when your child is very little. Ideally what we all should do with our children from a very young age - encourage lots of talking, read stories, look at pictures, activities outside that develop gross motor skills, fine motor skills with play doh at home, using scissors, sequencing with threading beads etc, following instructions (particularly 3 part). I have done all these (age/stage appropriate) from 18 months onwards, not because I had highly selective schools in mind but just for their development. We didn't have our heart set on a highly selective school but it was recommended by nursery. We did no specific assessment preparation in the run up to assessment.

Agree with PP in terms of framing it as a fun day - we said they were playdates to get to know the school and to let us know if it was more or less fun than nursery

Lily7050 · 10/11/2022 11:06

I have seen some children labeled "academic" by nurseries where nurseries recommended selective schools but the children have difficulties leaving parents and going to assessment rooms on their own. This include my own DS.

Usernamehell · 10/11/2022 14:58

@Lily7050 every child is difficult but difficulty separating won't exclude your child from being offered a place.

I know multiple children in both Habs (boys and girls) plus NLCS and other privates that academically select at 4 who did not want to separate from their parents for the assessment and still ended up with a place.

Original poster

DBSB · 10/11/2022 15:06

Does anyone know if spring borns are treated differently to winter borns?

OP posts:

Usernamehell · 10/11/2022 15:59

They all say that they take age into account when assessing and put in groups of children born around the same time so they're with others of similar age.

4pluscraziness · 10/11/2022 18:13

Thanks for your insight that is reassuring as you never really know how that moment will go.
We have tried to do all of the activities you mentioned as they seem quite normal fun activities to do with pre school children.
Are you aware of whether most children read and write at these assessments? Thanks so much.

Usernamehell · 10/11/2022 20:37

My DC could but from what I could get out of them after the assessment, they didn't ask them to read or write. They did draw - I am guessing looking at fine motor skills and pencil grip?

When I speak to other parents with children in these schools, there is a variation in whether they could fully read and write but all did know basic phonics

4pluscraziness · 11/11/2022 21:49

Thanks that’s really helpful to know. I guess it just all depends on how things go on the day too. Any advice about what to wear? Do they expect formal wear/ dresses or just ‘normal’ everyday leggings and a jumper? Or am I overthinking this waaaaaaay too much!

Usernamehell · 14/11/2022 09:22

I don't blame you for over-thinking it but would say just to wear something comfortable that they're happy in. DC wore something like leggings and jumper if missing nursery. If they were going to/from nursery either side of assessment, they wore uniform which is a tracksuit in winter

Original poster

DBSB · 15/11/2022 14:36

Anyone got their Habs assessment dates? We just got ours - makes things feel a bit real now!! Good luck!

OP posts:

4pluscraziness · 15/11/2022 19:51

Not yet…good to know they are letting us know soon though. Definitely feels real good luck to you too!

MumInmyelement · 21/11/2022 17:00

Yes we got our Habs and NLCS dates too. My DD is summer born(Aug). She is doing well overall, but one cannot predict what will happen on the day of the assessment. We had two assessments with local prep schools, where she had a 1X1 assessment and got through. We are not doing any special prep at the moment as she goes to a good nursery. Any tips for Habs Assessments?

4pluscraziness · 26/11/2022 12:44

@MumInmyelement thats really good she’s done so well already and sounds like your nursery is very good.

4pluscraziness · 07/01/2023 19:33

How is everyone going so far?
We still have NLCS coming
up this week. Will be glad once all the waiting is over.

4pluscraziness · 09/01/2023 21:45

@Usernamehell just wondered
if you know whether if you are lucky enough to be offered a place in one of these schools that they have open days for offer holders to go and see the schools again? TIA

Usernamehell · 12/01/2023 12:31

Sorry I've only just seen this - no proper open days as far as I am aware but if you had 2 offers in hand and asked to view again to aid your decision, they would facilitate if they could. To the best of my knowledge, the next 'event' as such is the one for those who are starting in Sept to meet each other

4pluscraziness · 19/01/2023 17:06

Thanks @Usernamehell.
How has everyone got on so far @MumInmyelement and @DBSB . Are you all done with your assessments?

Original poster

DBSB · 19/01/2023 17:12

finally done! @4pluscraziness
Not really sure what to think, just hope it all works out some way or another!
It would be amazing to some how create a whatsapp group where parents can swap ideas on how to help develop their children in the best way etc - if anyone is interested....

thanks

OP posts:

4pluscraziness · 19/01/2023 19:39

Everything crossed for us all!

mumoftwo86 · 09/02/2023 17:43

How did everyone get on ? Final destinations ?

Loremum · 10/02/2023 21:15

We got offered a place at Habs :-) How about you?

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