Mary Erskine Stewart Melville Assessments & Feedback

[sixp]

Both my children are lined up to do assessments this month for entry into ESMS at P1 and P4 stages. I was just wondering whether anyone has had experience of doing these, and what they're like. And if anyone attends the school and has any general feedback?
Many thanks.

My son was offered a place in P1 last year - to be honest I think they let the vast majority of applicants in, I don't know anyone who's been turned down from there and zillions who have got in! He was in for about 30 minutes maybe - with Mrs Rycroft (we applied late as a knee jerk reaction to not getting our school of choice, which we then got a late offer to). He said he got asked about letters and words and his house?? Hope it goes well.

Thanks legobuilder. I would really like George Heriot's but apparently they have too many people on the P4 waiting list that they're not even willing to add more on! Both my children are very bright. My son in P3 is top in everything, I'm hoping ESMS will be able to stretch him a bit more.

It is a great school !! The staff are very caring and it has a family atmosphere despite being large . My children went there and had a great time. It develops them in all sorts of ways and not just academically. They come out well rounded individuals.

Thanks iblossom. Off to my daughter's assessment shortly, so this is nice to hear.

Hope it went well for your dd. Dd2 (P1) did a quick one last year with Ms Rycroft (we were living in London and flew up to look at schools etc but were not going to be around for assessment day). Did it enroute to airport and it lasted about 30 mins - dd seemed ok.

Dd1 (P4) never did assessment as we could not come back up but school asked for her reports and spoke with headteacher of school she attended and they were happy to accept her on that basis.

My view is that it is unlikely that they will accept one and not the other unless has significant learning needs.

When you visit school perhaps you should ask very specific questions about stretching your child if that is very important to you. It's still early days but the jury is still out for us, based on anecdotal evidence, on how much stretching they do.

unless one has significant learning needs

Thanks maggiethecat.
I believe my daughter breezed through the assessment. Hopefully, it's the right school!