Advice please! 7+ move not going well!

[notavoicelikeShirleyBasseys]

Hi
I aim to move DD from Surrey to Central London (Southwark, around Dulwich or Lambeth, around Kennington) in the next 9 months and so far have not settled on a school to mover her to. Will be working in London EC, around the Thames, options of TFL aplenty. She is currently in an indie but we would consider a good state school if highly academic or a solid indie up there, if chances of going to 6th form to avoid another move at 11+. A school with wraparound care would also be ideal because DD may have to do some early mornings out or wait after school to be collected. Does anyone know where I should be looking that hasn't already passed their application closing date, or doesn't have one? Help! Thanks.

Very very few schools go to sixth form in London. Lady Eleanor Holles starts at 7+ and goes through but that is west London. North London Collegiate also. Ring the Good Schools Guide consultancy service, they are very good and will give you a short list.

Chestnutx3 Thanks for the tip. Will def ring GSG, having said that I tried my luck with them a few years ago before my DD started with current indie and the cost was, to put it mildly, prohibitive. I would rather hear from parents tbh, most of the time. I wonder if you or anyone knows if there are any comparable schools in the state sector to the ones you mentioned?

Alleyn's school is in north dulwich and I've got a friend who's dcs are there and she's very happy with it. Goes from age 4 to A-level, they do have 7+ entry as part of that. I think it can be tricky to get in though as v popular and selective element, but worth a look maybe.

I certainly wouldn't ring the GSG, there's nothing they'll tell you that you couldn't work out in 10 minutes on tinternet. I am not familiar with the area but there are dozens of forums, info guides for the area etc that are and will help you.

I would have to agree with you areyoutheregoditsmemargaret. They do not give plenty out. Any links you can share?

off the top of my head google angels and urchins for private schools in the area and then the local authority website for primary schools

City of London School for Girls

Thanks, Bonsoir but I think the application closing date for City of London School for Girls has passed.

I have tried angels and urchins - looks like they have a directory by area which is helpful for narrowing down the search. Unfortunately, there are no links to any information on the standard of the schools listed in terms of performance, exam results, pastoral care etc. It's beginning to look more and more that I might not make the move from her current school and I will have to commute back in a rush every day for pick up time. Really would prefer to just move both home and school to be close by each other!

there's no such guide for private schools - you will need to look at each one and decide what you like.

For state schools ditto, plus there's the ofsted (though that's misleading often)

There's JAGS which has a prep attached (JAPS) in east Dulwich so effectively going from 4-A-level, Alleyn's has junior dept so again goes through to A-level - both highly competitive though

Blackheath High School, Sydenham High School, St Dunstan's - all going from 3 or 4 to 18

State sector - the Charter school (we have friends with dc there who are largely happy but small catchment), Kingsdale is 'outstanding' but has weird lottery system

how old is your dd?

Sorry for the late reply, last weekend just ran away with me....basildonbond my dd is 7. JAPS would have been an excellent choice but unfortunately they do not have wraparound care on-site for those evenings when we might be late back to collect dd. Enter the childminder situation which is not the most ideal from past experience.....

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Charter School is an outstanding state school. Pretty much all kids thrive - 95% achievieving 5 or more A-C GCSEs. This is quite an achievement given that is an inclusive school with a very diverse catchment. If your dd is especially academic Charter would also suit her - gifted and talented kids do better at Charter than any school in Southwark (incl private schools). Somehow all this is achieved without angst. It is a very happy school.

Oh, thank you, "impossible". The search continues......can I just wonder whether you or anyone you know has personal experience of this school? Standards are often different when viewed from inside you see...

"Impossible" _ I have just checked and The Charter School is a secondary school! My DD is 7 !!

Sorry notavoice..

I suppose I was thinking in terms of you putting yourself in the right place for local education through to 6th form. Many kids at Charter come from Dulwich Hamlet, Rosendale, St Saviours, Heber, Dog Kennel School and Bessemer - all a short walk away.

My thoughts on Charter School are from the personal experience of my very happy and thriving dds.

I think all the 7+ entry assessments for independent schools are already well underway if not completed (at least, they are here in SW London). And you're unlikely to be high up the waiting list for a good oversubscribed state school until you've actually moved and have a local address.

The West London 7+ assessments have also taken place or are about to in the next two weeks.

OP is your dc in Year 2? If so, then you will have 'missed the boat' for any school that requires a 7+ entrance exam, as Timesis says. The closing date for most of our local schools was last year unfortunately.

Daftapath & Tmesis -you're quite right on assessment dates.

The funny thing is lots of indies in Surrey just leave that sort of thing open. For various reasons two indies in Dulwich keep coming up when I speak to people - JAPS (James Allen Preparatory School, girls only) and Alleyn's (mixed). Does anyone know anything about these..?I've heard that if they don't fill their quota they may consider late 'uns.....true or false? At this stage just want to hear more about them (over and above website info!) before launching into operation...why do I still think I've got some (if not a lot of) time?

Impossible - thanks for the advance update on secs. At the rate I'm going I will be positively neurotic by the time we get to the stage of applying to Charter school or another 'happy' one like it...

I'm afraid. Don't know those two schools although had a niece at JAGS for a while (and they seemed happy with it).

There is always the chance of getting your dc into a school late but of it is a competitive school, in my experience, it will be very oversubscribed.

There is lots of movement once all the offers are out because many children get multiple offers and can only take up one place but I think the places would be offered to those on the 'Reserve List' who have already sat the entrance exam.

Ds is now in year 5 and since starting his current school, in yr 3, there have been three new children starting. So all is no lost if you do not get a place this September.

I think you just have to hassle them and make it very clear that you would accept a place straight away if offered.

Daftapath - I hear JAGS is run entirely differently from JAPS.?.?....but both extremely successful at feeding into later schools/universities. I appreciate you don't have much on them though; I'm hoping someone else does..

Is mumsnet user 'Basildonbond' about?? Seems quite au fait on schools.

Bump.

Yes, I don't live in that area so not familiar with them unfortunately.

You could try pm- ing Basildonbond.

Daftapath - thanks a lot - that was helpful because I managed to track down that user.

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