London secondary schools - good CAT scores, inclusive

[AmMomInLdn]

Hello,

DS is in Y3 at a prep school in West London. I just learned from some parents that they administer CAT tests and went and asked what these are and what my son's results were.

CAT4: 129
PTM: 141
PTE: 124

We're starting our journey to look at secondary schools. I don't want to put a lot of pressure on the 11+ process but I'm worried if he goes to a 'non-selective' school, he won't be academically challenged.

He is very sensitive (very not sporty, which has at times impacted his ability to connect to the boys in his class) and so it's very important to me to find a the right place for him. My other son is autistic and so (whether or not they end up at the same school), it's also very important to me that DS is in an inclusive environment.

Any suggestions for schools? We're willing to relocate as long as we're able to commute into Liverpool Street within an hour.

These scores will go up by Y5, so you are in a good place to target any academic schools in London. You can find a list of CAT scores required (take it as a guidance and not as a guarantee) on this thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4749433-cat-scores-required-for-sw-london-boyscoed-independent-schools

Thank you!

When you say the scores will go up by Y5, does that mean because they start learning to take these kinds of exams? I thought the results were age calibrated so they wouldn't necessarily go up if they are testing natural aptitude.

In reality they will go up as they get more comfortable with testing and cat tests in general. For most kids, Y3 is when they take a test of this nature for the first time. Of course, it may stay consistent or go lower as well - depends on the nature of the child tbh. My son's scores went up from 120s to 130s over the years but then it came crashing down to 124 in Y7 because he had stopped taking it seriously by then! So yes it can vary a lot.