Prep school advisory for 11plus - AIBU?

[MrsSoyaSauce]

Wanted to seek the wise words of Mumsnet but could I ask what's expected of a prep school in terms of the 11plus process? Am I being unreasonable to expect our prep school to advise or give a list of schools for us to explore? And to provide proper guidance on which schools are realistic / banker / aspirational across a range? and in terms of the headteacher's relationships with these senior schools - what does that constitute? Beyond writing the reference obviously but does they mean they know the various exam formats etc?

"The exit results if I'm brutally honest, don't really reflect the feedback"

In these circumstances you need to understand your child - academically, how advanced socially and emotionally they are and their extra- curriculum advantages - sport, music, drama, etc. Then go to the open days with your son and request private tours without son if possible (ask more targeted questions without distraction). This enables you to get some idea of best fit.

Our independent school - Head schedules a meeting to discuss suggested schools based on reports, etc. We were notified of school fairs (preferred open days, personal tours) Head's reference held a lot of weight with new school and was mentioned in our offer letter. However, if leavers destinations are not as expected, consider deciding independently based on your own research and knowledge of your child, which schools to enter 11plus exams. In addition, the extent (if any) you need to supplement learning & other skills - tutors, specialist coaches / teachers for potential sports / music scholars.

Decide whether you want co-ed or single sex and whether you want son to travel or keep relatively local - basically narrow down your selection and the view schools keeping in mind the person your son is and what would be a happy fit.

I have also known some YR4 parents who realise the school wasn't heading in the right direction to achieve the outcome school they wanted to to get an occasional place at what they considered a more focused prep for the last two years or make the move to an all through school (avoiding the 11plus, but still usually some assessment entry) How disruptive this is depends on your child.

The leavers destinations do give a bit of a clue though re how much focus or help you’re likely to get and is something worth exploring early on. Eg there is a prep near me which parents rave about but the leavers destinations are a bit off (v large cohort going to one of the less competitive schools and not so many going to the top tier ones). The parents are v competitive so lots of tutoring etc so it seems a bit weird. It depends what your goal is with private in the first place. The parents at the prep I mention above still rave about it because of all the extras etc but for me part of the point of paying the money would be supported entry to the top schools and something doesn’t feel quite right if the leavers destinations are mediocre.

From what you’ve said, it doesn’t sound like you can fully rely on your prep and might just need to accept you need to do a bit more of your own homework.

think it's fairly normal for a prep not to have given any specific steer to parents in Y4?

Guess you have general feedback from parents evenings and reports. So that helps.

You need to go to open days in Y5 and work out a shortlist. Our prep school held meetings at the end of Y5 and went through options to make sure everyone's applications were sensible Perhaps your school does something similar and you just don't know? Perhaps ask parents with kids in higher years or ask the school if you're concerned. V unlikely they do nothing at all to help guide you.

Yes, but you are literally paying the prep school to prep the child so it’s not helpful to compare the kids in state schools. Those state school kids are probably exceedingly bright and have very engaged parents who have prepped them as much as any good prep school. In the OP’s case no one has been prepping her child.

OP, I’m amazed you have got as far as year 4 without considering what the next steps are. I’m also amazed that you have spent so much money on a London prep that doesn’t appear to have any track record in getting kids into good secondary schools.

@EggBlanket my question was to do with what different prep schools do in terms of the advisory process and what to speak to Headteacher about. As this thread is clear - different prep schools do things differently in terms of specific guidance and the timing of it. I haven't got to Y4 with no clear steps - if I did why would I be asking. My DC pulled over 130 in CAT scores at the end of Y3 and is top table in everything. As I said earlier the super selective it tends to feed into is City of London boys and girls. Unless u think City is a not a good school. Not every prep sends tons of kids to only top 10 schools. Our prep is not a hothouse and that's why we chose it. It has however turned out that we have an academic child and so would like to explore options other than City.