Go easy on me - buggered up DSs + and feeling quite delicate...

[Correctmeifiamwrong]

So we were going alone merrily thinking that ok, DS is top of the year, doing quite well in school, sporty, musical and a happy little chap. But a summer baby.

We decided to put him in for the 8+. At one school. We didn't tutor, and our school 'didn't do' 8+ prep classes. Oh he wont need it, he is already doing 10-11 year old work. Pah. I have since been told that some schools have two classes a week to pep the children. Oh the naiveity! At the interview a flock of children came in who were all at school together. Then I had the 'lightbulb' moment.

So he is on a waiting list and I am black and blue from kicking myself in the backside for not being more organised.

Sooooo, does anyone have a feel for the chances of getting from waiting list to offer? And do some of the schools offer entry at y5 (when he will be 8). Or is it worth asking if he can sit the 8+ next year (which would make him one of the oldest children in the class rather than the youngest, as he is now)?

Firstly, it may be rather early to be giving up on a wait-listed place. Few parents apply to just one school, most seem to apply to several, and even the most academic school will get some rejections.

Take a deep breath and think about what your options are for the longer term. Are you looking for a senior school which only starts at 13+ or are you considering an 11+ entry?

Have a look at the available prep schools, and speak to the registrars. They will know what their lists are like, and some years are more popular than others (it doesn't seem to go with birth numbers exactly). Definitely speak to the registrar of the school that you are waitlisted for to make sure that they know that you will definitely accept a place if offered.

Thank you for your calm and sensible words...

I did tell the registrar that we were really only looking at that school when I spoke to him. I am quite impressed how calm I was (screaming hysterically inside my head) They confirmed that they don't take children on outside the 'exam years'.

Considering 11+ - the thought of the stress at 13+ if he didnt get in anywhere (althugh I suspect that no children end up with no school to go to... or do they?).

I could just kick myself. Why were we not organised?! Neither of us have parents anymore to advise, and this school system is a bit alien to me!

Idiot idiot idiot! And deep breaths........

If you are looking at 13+ then usually there is a pretest in Year 6, so you are made an offer depending on Common Entrance in Year 8. You can also have an "insurance" offer from another school which would typically have a lower expectation for common entrance.

Are you currently looking at a school which takes children all the way through to 16/18? 8+ is usually a prep school entrance exam so they would have your child until 13?

Have a look around at some of the other prep school options as a back up, but worth giving the registrar a ring after half term, again at the end of term, and at the start of next term. The lists aren't always a scrupulously maintained at the state sector demands, and you may just find that you have phoned on the right day.