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Original poster

WUS, CC and KCJS 7+/8+

310 replies

firsttimer08 · 05/01/2016 18:04

Starting this thread for those sitting the 7+/8+ for these schools. Have found last few years' threads useful in understanding the process as a newbie; and now that it is our turn, thought we can exchange notes or have an idea of when the dreaded letters/emails arrive!

All the best for this week and the next.

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Original poster
firsttimer08 · 18/01/2016 12:51

Yes same wording!! Disappointed and now holding out for KCJS - though I guess that is also unlikely at this stage as I understand the same boys get through to KCJS, CC and WUS.

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Original poster
firsttimer08 · 18/01/2016 12:51

Yes and well done to your DS super worried

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SuperWorried · 18/01/2016 13:10

Sorry to hear but best of lucks, firsttimer08 and HopefulButNotConfident. Congrats to manicwestlondonmum. Still feeling unreal.

HopefulButNotConfident · 18/01/2016 13:31

I'm also assuming that KCJS will be a no, for the same reason as you, firsttimer08. I'm gutted, but mostly for having put my DS through it and not having anything come of it. He is oblivious, thank heavens for small mercies, and will be happy to stay at his current school. But the experience has only strengthened my belief that where he is is not really up to scratch, and that we need to move him.

SE1Mum2 · 18/01/2016 17:15

Does anyone know if WUS 7+ results will be sent by post only, or also by email? It seems their mode of communication for the exam info back in October was by email.
Don't have much of my nails left to bite, and hate to speculate on the reliability of Royal Mail...
thanks!

2512BC · 18/01/2016 19:02

computer1000 it was one test where he just spoke his "answers" as he wrote them down. My main concern is that the teacher could have asked him to stop. - so I wondered if the reason would be because none of the other boys mentioned it to her.

kcw23 · 18/01/2016 19:33

Wus written test results are always through email. Good luck to everyone waiting and for CC interview.

computer1000 · 19/01/2016 05:07

No for us. HopefulButNotConfident -Yes - similar feelings - put my DS through all of this. Does anybody know if there is a list with results for parents to see? Also, is there a possibility that some prep school have good "connections" with 7+ schools and that there is perhaps informal process where children from certain prep schools have an easier route to 7+ schools?

Mominatrix · 19/01/2016 05:34

The same boys don't always get into the 3 schools. All the boys who went to Kings from my DSs pre-prep were those who did not get into CC - note, I am not saying that all boys who go to Kings are those who did not get into CC, just in my neighbourhood as CC is so local to us. Also, those that go to WUS from where I am are also those who either did not apply to CC or did not get a spot there - also caveat that this is in my area as it is a trek in as opposed to 10 minutes by car.

No, there are no backhanded deals between certain pre-preps and the schools, although it might seem so due to high success rates. That is due to a myriad of other reasons dealing with the parent populations concentrated there, etc.

Original poster
firsttimer08 · 19/01/2016 05:57

Fingers crossed mominamatrix that this is the case for this year too. Looking back at previous years' threads I noticed that most boys either had three offers or none. Of course they will take only one of them (probably WUS or CC) and so hopefully some spots for KCJS may open up.

Doesn't KCJS have a feeder which comprises 2/3 of their cohort?

Sorry to hear that computer. We are very disappointed too for DS as he was expecting this one (esp as all his friends have been selected).

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computer1000 · 19/01/2016 07:20

Does anyone know how many kids from state primarues got place 7 plus last year?

DadAmongMums · 19/01/2016 07:33

I presume no-one knows, including the schools as the offers are not finalized yet.

DadAmongMums · 19/01/2016 07:35

I apologise, the question was about last year. Would certainly fail that reading comprehension!

mertonmama · 19/01/2016 08:23

The traditional KCJS feeder is Squirrels. The intake from Squirrels is no where near 2/3 - might be a 1/3 but probably less than that.

Whilst there are lots of boys who will apply to WUS, CC and KCJS I think you'll find plenty who don't. If you're Wimbledon or Kingston based the journey to WUS would be a pain for a 7 year old - CC would also not be great. We only applied to KCJS and if the DS hadn't got in we'd have waited for 11+.

Really sorry to hear about the 'no thanks' received - but please don't think your DS's aren't up to scratch. They're fantastic little boys who just aren't quite up to the standard required. They're very little still and I think you'll find it's a maturity thing. The schools know what is expected of the boys once they start and they know who will be able to cope with the pace and who won't.

If you have got a 'no' I'd suggest contacting the school in question for feedback. They will be honest with you and help you identify areas to improve.

innocuoussocks · 19/01/2016 09:01

Yes I think the number getting into KCJS from Squirrels has decreased a lot in recent years (based on the number of irate Squirrels parents I came across last year desperately looking for 7+ places for their boys elsewhere).

I'd also recommend asking the schools for feedback if you think you might try again next year - not just from the point of view of 'areas to improve' but also as to whether the school would ever have been the right fit in the first place.

The feedback we got from the school that said No to DS showed he'd done really well in the tests with scores well above the cut off level for offers. He'd just had a dreadful assessment day where he got pushed over by another boy and then was trying so hard not to cry that he didn't really join in with one of the activities. The school missed all this and just flagged him as unco-operative. He's a very bright boy but quirky and knowing that made us realise it would definitely not have been the right school for him.

On the plus side he got offers from the others, probably because the schools were more suited to him, and we cannot imagine a better school for him than where he now is. These things happen for a reason!

Original poster
firsttimer08 · 19/01/2016 12:23

That is good to know Mertonmama and innocuous. Gives me hope that there are more spots open at KCJS.

Regarding CC - they have said that feedback will be provided end of Feb. In case of DS I think it wasn't the case of not being ready but more of messing up on the day.

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SuperWorried · 19/01/2016 14:09

Has anyone received WUS results? It was printed on the sheet after the exam that messages will be sent out by Tue 19th and I guess that will be via email? We are not very hopeful as we (naively?) put WUS as second choice on the application form and surely that will be a sure-NO from them. But still want to know how DS has done there.

SE1Mum2 · 19/01/2016 14:26

Nothing for us yet from WUS.
I checked the registration log-in from their website, and it states that exam results will be sent by email.

DadAmongMums · 19/01/2016 15:16

WUS emails are out

S999 · 19/01/2016 16:58

Anyone heard from wetherby 8+ please?

SuperWorried · 19/01/2016 19:06

Yes from WUS, I am over the moon! Hats off to the new WUS head as apprerently our putting WUS down as 2nd choice on the application form didn't affect their assessment.

cherokeee · 19/01/2016 21:38

Well done, superworried! Your relaxed strategy aeems to have worked! Hope next stage goes well.

computer1000 · 21/01/2016 06:40

Feel still upset about no interview situation...how to deal with the "knock of confidence" to my DS and myself?

SuperWorried · 21/01/2016 09:28

Hi computer1000, really feel for you. We don't know whether DS will get into one of these schools in the end, but I am taking an attitude that it's not the end of the world and there's always 8+, 11+ or 13+ next time. DS knows all boys sitting the exams are bright kids so the outcome is not a judgement of ability or failure (at least that's what we've told DS all along). I am still preparing for the worst if DS fails the last hurdle in the interview but I'll surely be encouraging DS to try again next year should he fails to make it this time. Best of luck!

cherokeee · 21/01/2016 09:32

Comouter, I am sorry for your disappointment. Is your son also upset? My son at the time was oblivious to the possible sigificance of the 7+ because we had underplayed it. He would have been happy not to move ahead because he was not keen to leave his school and we hadn't made a point of telling we thought any other school was especially good. We also took the approach that he was going to take a test and decide if HE liked the school rather than emphasise the fact that the school would be making a decision.

If your son is happy at his current school, I think (hope) you can focus on the positive -- ie he can stay with his friends and in the school he enjoys.
Please don't tell him he needs to "work harder" or otherwise make him feel as if he "failed", and please don't make him start to prepare for the 8+ now. Let him relax and enjoy being a 6 or 7 year old boy; reinforce the benefits of staying at his current school, etc.

The disappointment is likely to be harder for you than for him. Please remember that many boys who aren't given offers at 7 are given offers at 8 or 11. This test is just one step; there are many other opportunities for your son to move to one of these schools -- or, indeed, you might find another school suits him even better.

Your son is still your lovely son. please treasure and support him and don't let the results of this single day (or days) alter you own assessment of your son. Yiu know better than anyone what his unique qualities are and you can continue to nurture those qualities to help him continue to develop into a happy, well-adjusted person.

Best wishes.