Private school year 3 entrance exams Bath

[juliet76]

Hi all,

We would love our son to go to Kingswood school, Bath in year 3 but are really worried about the entrance exam as he is a year behind everyone else (at the moment - he is still in year 1) as we came from abroad in October and he is only just learning to read and write. He is in a great state school at present but is still very behind. Does anyone know from their kids experience what the entrance exam involves exactly - I know it's English, Maths and Reasoning but not sure what the content is to know how far off he is! Any help greatly appreciated, thanks.

I only know about London, and competition here is quite more intense.

However, even in Bath, being a year behind in a state school with just a year to go to 7+ does not sound good. Stop by a Waterstones and have a look at Bond Papers for 7-8 - it'll give you a good idea of the level required.

He not only needs to be not behind, but preferably ahead to have a chance. That is not impossible - but would require a lot of intense tutoring.

Is this really something you want him to go through at this age? Understanding, that with all the effort he'll put in, it might not be enough?

Does that school have 8+ or 11/13+?

Thanks for the reply - yes it does have 8 and 11+ but apparently they do take into account everything and tailor the exams according to the childs ability at this age, so I am hoping his background will be taken into consideration. I am meeting with the headmaster anyway to ask about it all. The school we are thinking of seems open and welcoming of all backgrounds and abilities and is not a super academic one, like the top London ones I don't think. I think it will be even tougher at 8 or 11+ and so would rather he got in sooner rather than later! Also then if he doesn't get in now, he could still try at a later date if he likes rather than not even try now. I am not a pushy mum at all which is almost why I think trying now would be better than later when he would have more of a full on exam to sit.

Are you in Bath? How about other non selective independent schools and then take the entrance exam for Kingswood when he is ready.

Juliet - I hope you are right.

In my experience, schools either have a selection exam (7,8,11+) or they are all inclusive and don't have an exam - you might have an interview with you/child and if there is a place, you are offered one.

I have never heard of an exam being tailored to a child who is a year behind. Not sure why the school would do this if they can pick among other kids that are on track/ahead.

I hope your son catches up soon and wish him well.

Kingswood has a reputation of looking beyond exam results particularly at the lower levels of the school. They also look at the whole family offering, so do you have younger children?