3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ support thread 2014

[mumteacher]

I started the below thread last year and have had so many people find it useful I thought it might be worth doing it again.

I have had a number of messages asking if I have any spaces in my classes. I'm really sorry but I have been at full capacity for some time now.

However, I do appreciate that this is a very stressful time of year for parents who have children sitting these private school assessments in January 2013. So, I'm hoping that by setting up this support group thread I can help by answering some questions you have about these assessments.

Hopefully this thread will also contain some useful insight from the experiences of parents who have already been through the process.

It also helps to choose your nusery wisely as they should be aware of requirements for the top schools. They will partner with the Parents and provide 'lists' of stuff that comes up at assessment. The better ones will have experience of sending kids to these schools so you will benefit from their knowledge. These lists sound onerous but you'll be amazed how many things you can cover off a single activity and of course it should be based on play. You can do all this at home without needing an external tutor of course. As long do a some stuff each and not overburden 3 yr olds with excessive demands then you've no worries. Stressing around during the weeks leading upto assessments doesn't help either and trust me your kids will notice and go 'the other way' if you're not careful.

Who else is waiting by the window for the postman?

I have turned down a place at a Radlett Prep for 2 of my children and sent them to other local prep schools. I felt that I should love it as it has an excellent reputation and great results but every time I visited I just wasn't convinced that it was for us. My main concerns were around their infant department. There are no teaching assistants and the last reception class I saw had 26 children. I felt that reception was too structured for what I was looking for. There was no carpet space and no play areas with all the children having set seats and formal learning. I asked the reception teacher how much learning through play there was and her exact words were, "if I am honest, not enough, we really should try to do more." I was also concerned that they were using an out of print reading scheme. Further up the school I was concerned that they do not use any setting or differentiation at all, "never have and never will" were the words of the headmaster. I am also aware that it's very heavy on homework. I found the classrooms cramped and the school needs some investment, facilities really aren't great e.g v out of date IT suite, no hot lunches.

Having said all of that, I may reconsider from year 3 for my youngest who is showing signs of being highly academic as I think that she will thrive in that environment. It's impossible to ignore the fact that the results are excellent, but be under no illusions, people are still tutoring for the 11+. It's also one of the cheapest private schools in the area and if you are looking for an old fashioned academic private school at a relatively affordable price where your child has a really good chance of Habs or Merchant Taylor's at 11 then it's a good bet but what other preps may appear to lack academically they more than make up for in offering a broader more holistic education.

Holland House is also an excellent pre school!!!!!

And Goodwyn also!!

Both are in mill Hill!

kokomma, no news today. The postman came around but no letters from the schools. Should know by tomorrow hopefully... unless they surprise us with an email or a call today.

Goodness - that's encouraging to hear and that you're happy with RP as a parent and as a tutor...

Correct me if I'm wrong though but RP isn't technically an independent school, hence the Ofsted rating and no ISI accreditation or member of IAPS? I wonder why though RP don't want these 'hallmarks' to bring them up to par with the other indys in the area?

I still think if I'm going to spend some serious money in putting DS through a prep school, at the first hurdle I want an impressive glossy website showing me what type of experience my son will have.

As a prospective parent, researching options, RP haven't convinced me this early on that it's a good choice or indeed even an option for DS - I can't make that decisions because of the scarcity of information they provide, which is a shame.

I know the schools of course want to seduce parents at this initial step, but likewise I do want to see the grounds, facilities, trips, sports, read/see HT's vision, teaching staff qualifications, how many staff yadada...of course I don't want a flashy website and a crap school, so know the visit counts for so much.

I will visit RP as want to see what they offer and undoubtedly, their leavers' destinations are very impressive, that cannot be disputed.

However, looking at their Ofsted, I was somewhat surprised to see that they were rated Good/Level 2 as a result of teaching needed to be improved when academic excellence is supposedly their UPS, not sports, faculties etc.

4PlusMum, that's helpful, thank you, I will PM you, although I doubt he would sit still for 45 mins!

MHDad, yes, through total fluke (not because of my research, private prep wasn't a consideration at that point) DS's 'feeds' into some of the preps. We only chose the preschool at that point because it was best for him, nothing to do with the next step.

We will probably end up going for the prep that has the strongest sports facilities (if we are happy with everything else) as this has a huge impact on DS's concentration in class. Also, it'll save me driving him to numerous clubs or standing in a freezing cold park for hours after school as he burns off all that energy .

This is if he passes the assessment of course and I can bear to part with all that money!

Does anyone know from past experience what we're expecting? Is it good news in a big envelope and bad news in a letter?

Sorry meant for Habs and NLCS 4+ results tomorrow

Yes good news likely to be in at least an A5 envelope as there will be forms to send back, bad news in a normal sized envelope. Good luck to everyone.....

Marking place

Good luck everyone!!

any luck so far? Our postman drops the post in the afternoon, can't wait...

A yes from Habs for my DD.
Super happy mum!

an email offer from NLCS, so delighted!!

Congrats deepbreather

Hello all, and fingers crossed for those still waiting.

I wondered if anyone knew how likely it is for a waiting list place to be converted into an offer at Channing? Are they doing one or two form entry this year - anyone know what the odds are and how big the waiting list might be? So sorry to ask. We have other offers so am just wondering.

thanks for any info anyone has.

you too koalabearsmum, well done!

Just got offered a place in st Albans high school!

We got Habs and NLCS!

Us too assessmentmum, congratulations to you and all the others!

Tricky for us as we also have a 10 yr old who went for the 11+ group interview SAHS on Friday. SAHS 11+ results come out on the 14th and acceptance for 4+ is by the 12th!...

We're on the waiting/reserve list for St Helen's...anyone had any experience of this or has any insight to offer please?

MJizz - I understand the St H reserve list moves a lot for 4+. Both my girls got straight offers but there were a number of new girls both times who got in on the reserve list. Keep calling them every day! Is it your first choice? I gets crossed if so!

WRT your dilemma over St Albans why don't you call them and explain? They might give you a couple of days grace, who knows? If you don't ask.....

Congrats to all - I hope everyone gets the offers they want!

I mean fingers crossed!

Fantastic news guys ! A hearty congratulations to Amiindecisive, koalabearsmum & assessmentum. My DD sat for the 4+ assessments for NLCS & Habs. Sadly didn't work out for her, but she is on the waiting list for NLCS. Not sure how to play it with them - should I call every day & pester them (!!) or call once a week ?
Again for the 3 mums mentioned, congratulations again - I know exactly how overjoyed you must be feeling !

Sorry - & a big congratulations to deepbreather too…left you out in the last email !