Need help please

[Rupunzel]

Hello lovely people,

I need good advise.
I have two daughters and they are going to independent school at the moment.
I would like to move them to Haberdashers as I think they can do much better than they do in their current school. The school is not academic enough.
The little one is in Y2 and the older is Y4.
I prefer Haberdashers, so I called them and they said that they not taking girls in Y4, 5 or 6.
The younger one can start Y3 if they offer her a place but the older one can't join in from September, only can in Y7.
I don't know what to do and how to do. Is it any chances for both of them to get in (if they get in). It is two academic years gap in between them and it is just so tricky to adjust my time, one here one there and stretch myself driving them around like crazy woman.

All advises are welcome.
Thanks in advance

No actual advice but just playing the numbers game it's hard to get in for y7 as many girls sit the exam.

Oh dear! Thank you for your message. Is it any chance to get her in Y4. Do anyone know? Gosh, are they that popular!

Do they have sibling policy?

No sibling policy, no. Intense competition to get in at yr7; 400+ girls sit the exam for around 80 places (take 125 but have intake from own prep). Is your DD preparing for the exam? Do you have alternatives?

Sorry, to be clear; 400 is for 11+ entry into yr7. There is the 7+ stage for entry into yr3; again ratio of applicants to places in excess of 5x. Entry in other years dependent on girls leaving and then passing the test for that year, few girls leave unless parents move realistically.

Most schools will admit on an ad hoc basis if a pupil leaves the school and they want to fill the vacancy. They are highly unlikely to go over numbers (as breaching class size guarantees will damage therir reputation).

If DD2 gets in, then you are well placed to ask/remind/harass the school about your wish for her to be considered if an ad hoc vacancy occurs.

Thank you ladies for all your messages. I really appreciate it.

My girls are at the moment in private school which supposed to be academic but not academic enough for them (I think). They are bright girls and I want the best for them like all of us do for their own children.

I was thinking to try Haberdashers now I have heard very scary things like thy will roast you and cook you and so. It sounds the world gone mad.

My girls are 20 months apart and 2 academic years in between and it is not just possible for me to stretch the school run, morning and afternoon, on two different direction. Habs is closer to me, so I thought to try it. But that seems like a real headache.

Maybe I should try for DD2 and then see if she can get in first. And then to think what to do. I defo want them in same school.
I got the exam papers from their website and my daughter didn't have problem with the questions. She did preatty well.

Or I will just leave them where they are at the moment.
Does anyone know any other school in North London which is academic and with good reputation. Maybe I need to consider another school. Try to crack my head for days what is a good decision for them.

Thanks lisad123, I see you point and I think you are right.

As in September my younger will be in Y3 and the older one in Y5. And that difference doesn't work well at the moment. And maybe it is not going to be the right school for them.
I want the best for them but sometimes things like that can do them more bad than good. I will have a look at the name of the school you mentioned. Thank you

I have been looking on the internet at North London Collegiate School in Edgware and Royal Masonic School in Rickmanswowrth.

Does any of you have any experience, views, which one is better school from those two. Thanks in advance