3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ support thread 2015

[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. 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.

Hi everyone. Do you know if Habs or NLCS has sent offer letters / emails for 4+ yet?

NLCS will be sending letters out tomorrow (2/2/15). An email will be sent the following day to ensure that everyone has received a response.

Great thanks. My understanding was that 'final' letters are out on the 2nd. During the previous week initial offers are sent and then final ones on the 2nd for those places which people did not accept.

Wasn't what I was told by the lovely Admissions Secretary.

Oops. I said NLCS were sending letters out this Monday. I meant NEXT Monday (2/2/15).

Evening... Does anyone know anything about what to expect at Habs girls for 5+ second round? It has all changed this year... Mumteacher can you shed any light? TIA.

Yes this year it seems there's no really 'test' for the girls. She stays with the parents for the chat/interview with both deputy and acting head teacher. Historically the girls would be taken away for a 1-2-1 session whilst the parents spoken with the head.

Thank you mumteacher. Do you know why it's changed? What are they looking for in this new situation? Any tips? Any questions I should ask? Thanks again.

If there is no test, what is the purpose of round 2? Are they assessing parents and, if so, what are they looking for? I feel irrationally worried that DD chances could be affected by something I did / didn't say!

Exactly my worry 4plusmum.

Nucky DS did assessments at both schools last year. I really think it is just observed play. I know that his particular play at Squirrels involved magnets, which he found quite exciting. I have no idea what he did at the Rowans! But he didn't want to leave afterwards. Feel free to email me any question you have. fWIW I don't think either school is as selective as they'd like to pretend they are. DS was premature and is a daydreamer, and still got offered by both schools.

They are fairly different schools, it would be worth visiting to see how you feel about their approach.

Good luck to all those hanging at their letters boxes- the wait is almost over x

Anyone waiting on Dulwich College, Alleyn's Junior, or DPL? The suspense is killing me...

Lots of siblings for Habs 4+ this year too (22 applied!), though the school has been very strict that there is no sibling policy. Several siblings not invited back for a 2nd round.

Argh!! Another week of waiting for Habs 5+!

Good luck to those expecting news tomorrow.

Mumteacher What happens if your child goes silent/monosyllabic during the 2nd meeting?? Such a chatterbox but completely overwhelmed... Struggled to answer who her friends were and what her favourite toy was!! 4plusmum how was yours?

Hi mum teacher,My DS is preparing for 8+ in 2016 I need some guide to prepare him.He will be sitting maths english vr & nvr

They told me that DD was not being assessed at round 2 and it was just an opportunity for the school to get to know us. They gave her some Lego and left her to it. They didn't ask her any questions. Good luck for next Saturday!

Sounds to me like your DD is def in if they didn't ask anything!! Good luck to you too..

Round 2 at Habs has caused a lot of stir this year.

Cc 7+ results are out - hope the post brought good news for you x

Does anyone know what SAHSG perp will be assessing the girls for the 6+ this Tuesday?

Mumteacher can you elaborate? Can we read anything into the different experiences of my DD with questions and some with none? Have they already decided before round 2? Thanks if you can.

Ilove - did your DD sit with you or did she play with the Lego? I think if she was sitting with you they will have tried to include her in the conversation. My DD was so busy playing there wasn't really a chance for them to ask her anything. Maybe it was part of the test and they were looking at who did/did not play but who knows what they wanted. Either way, I wouldn't spend the next week worrying about it.

She sat with us for the first half of one and was asked questions and was pretty much ignored during the second one when she was playing with the lego... It's very frustrating as we just don't know what they want - a kid who plays or doesn't play or talks or doesn't talk. I won't spend the whole week worrying.. Just part of it trying to analyse and guess!!! Appreciate your reply though. Thanks.