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.

Yes congrats to u all. Zenmum am sure the list moves a fair bit though have no idea how many on the list for either school.

Thanks stikmatix, that's reassuring to know about St H's reserve list.

I've emailed STAS to explain and sent the reserve list confirmation to St Helen's. Do I start being pushy and pick up the phone??? Don't want to annoy anyone but as you say...if you don't ask...

MJizz - there won't be anything to tell today as they can only offer from the waiting list once they have places declined. In theory, if people decline and post of first class today, there could be movement as early as tomorrow. They can't tell you where your girl is on the list but I think they may allude between the lines to whether it is worth holding on and hoping....

The admissions staff are really nice so a friendly call will not go amiss, perhaps tomorrow?

Okay stikmatix, you're right. Thanks so much, I'll give them a call tomorrow!

MJizz - if you accept a place, pay a deposit then pull out soon after, I believe by law they can only withhold your deposit if your pulling out causes them a material loss, which is unlikely if it is such an oversubscribed school. (IANAL etc etc etc)

I know of someone who accepted a place at Channing, then got a place off the WL at her first choice school and Channing refunded her deposit without quibbling. So if you have to confirm a place and then can't take it, all might not be lost.

We are on the wait list too for Channing, anyone have any experience of whether things are likely to move? I assume people who were offered a place there would take it. Just wonder whether I should give up now.

Congrats All! Regarding wait lists- some people will phone asap to decline offers. We did. It doesn't hurt to phone and explain that you are VERY interested in the wait list place and don't want to keep other families in limbo. You'll sound desperate but considerate.

Smalltoothbrush, that sounds right. By law it could be construed as a penalty so unenforceable under English law (guess what I do for a living!!) .

Funny though how the headmistress at St Albans specifically emphasised at the 11+ FAQs session with parents that, if a place was accepted and then subsequently declined (eg because the state/grammar school results will not be out before the deadline for acceptance), you would forfeit your deposit. I didn't feel in a position to argue the point with her though !

Ah, IANAL but by the sounds of it YAAL !!

Thanks horsemadmom!
Just spoken to a friend who also got a wait list letter from Channing. Does anyone know if there is their standard rejection letter, or if a genuine wait list does exist and we just happen to have both made it on. Any insight gratefully received.

DD got into St Helens for 3+ today!

Genuine wait lists exist for all these schools, as everyone applies for several. There is often a fair bit of movement.

congratulations to all that got good news! i'm looking for 5+ tutor in north london/herts area. if you can recommend one, please pm me. Thank you.

AmIIndecisive, well done to your DD! She had done so well.
What will you do now she has both offers?

Thanks Koala, and congrats to you as well! Really not sure, would appreciate advice from anyone who can help steer, am leaning towards Habs at the moment...

I think it really depends in your DD.
My friends DD has been at NLCS since 4& now 10. Friend said NLCS is defo more academic but that comes with pressure. The girls there are louder n more aggressive.
Habs are more nurturing n is nicer for quiet but able girls. My DD works quietly but with focus n absorption so Habs suits her. We always prefer Habs after open day but NLCS is nearer to us.

Any other parents on this thread who received confirmed or waitlist for 3+ at St Helens?

Thanks Koala, apart from logistically where Habs is much better for me, although the NLCS girls seem incredible children, I'm not sure if its too pressurised and I know some friends with older children there and they all seem to put so much pressure on themselves and seem a bit stressed, re doing homework again and again to make sure it's perfect etc. the Habs girls just seem a bit happier. This is what I've noticed from older girls and perhaps someone may have different experiences of this? Would be happy to hear any advice on this.

My daughter did 7+ last year and got into NLCS. She has been there since September and she really loves it. It is academic but it also has a lot of emphasis on sport and art and drama and music and everything else. She loves it there. Hope that helps.

And now I am already preparing for my next DD to sit the 7+ in January 2016. If anyone is selling any stage 5 or stage 6 ORT books please feel free to PM me!!! Thanks in advance.

and one more thing. My DD at NLCS also got in to Habs but i chose NLCS becasue I thought Habs was not pushy enough! But that's just me.

Thanks Efrieze, yes that's helpful to know but she's only been there a little bit so would hope she was still loving it, it's more as they get older as they will be there for so long, I don't want my daughter to end up neurotic (not my word - from older girls mums), thought Habs was v academic and pushy and their results were pretty good - actually thought both schools were impressive just want my dd to be happy and accomplished. I suppose it depends on the child - do many people move from Habs to NLCS and vice versa and is it easy to do so?

You can tell by my name I am very indecisive at the best of times!

Hi- Neither of my NLCS girls is 'neurotic' because I'm not.They have high standards for themselves but that's the type of girl who thrives there and the culture of the school is to challenge yourself. They don't care if you aren't spectacular at everything. Both Habs and NLCS do very well with their girls. Habs is a bit more traditional and NLCS likes to experiment. Pastoral care has always been very good at NLCS and is improving under the new head at Habs. Just remember that your little DD will be a big 6th former before you know it so think about the Seniors as much as the Juniors. Do you like where they go to uni? Did you meet girls and think 'I hope my DD is like that!'. Are you the kind of parent who can step back and let your DD get on with it? There are no bad choices here.

Thank you horsemadmom, that is very useful to hear. Yes I was thinking long term (which sounds mad when you kid is only 3). Do you know of anyone swapping schools at 7 or 11 from your experience?