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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Colet Court 2016 Round 2

10 replies

workingmum9 · 18/01/2016 15:49

We have just go tthe letter for our son who has his interview this week. We didnt prepare him except form bondpapers in December and I now realise I dont know what to expect in this second round. Can anyone that has been through it recently shed some light? What are they looking for at this stage? What is th ebasis of elimination?

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Original poster

workingmum9 · 18/01/2016 15:56

This is my first time on Mumsnet and realise that I didnt say that I am talking about 7+ Colet Court. Not sure how to edit the thread title, but hopefully one of you can help!

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SuperWorried · 18/01/2016 17:11

I have no idea either so we are on the same boat. Guess we can just let the kids enjoy themselves and whatever happens I am just immensely proud of what little one has achieved so far.

Ladyofthepalace · 18/01/2016 18:53

There was an old thread from 2012 that was really quite helpful (no specific interview Qs though more format etc). I will try to find it

SuperWorried · 18/01/2016 18:59

Thanks Ladyofthepalace. Very helpful!

manicwestlondonmum · 19/01/2016 06:43

Hi, my older DS has been through it and ds2 this year. I can share what happened with them.

Go in school uniform (it's not required but everybody goes). You wait in the conference room till the headmaster comes out and takes the 5 children to his office for a group interview. The parents stay in the conference room. It is around 10-15 mins sitting on sofas with reading, puzzles and general chit chat. Things like I had something starting with "y" for breakfast- what might it be? I'm thinking of a number each of you think of a question and try to find out what if is; reading / listening comprehension etc. They are looking for a spark in your eye and listening (to the head teacher and the other boys) and the questions change each year.

After this they come back to the conference room and are taken to the library by two teachers. They have a full lesson with more maths and English, puzzles, chatting, introducing each other etc. During this time the head teacher meets each pair of parents for 5 mins or so.

Hope this helps.

cherokeee · 19/01/2016 12:38

Well done to your boys for having been onvited to the interview. I'm especially glad, Superworried, because I have followed your anxities for a few months...!
To manic's comments I can add that the headmaster has a very kind manner with the boys (and with parents). He is not intimidating at all. He seems to enjoy chatting with the boys and getting to know them; he's not trying to "trip them". The teachers also are lovely -- warm and friendly, more like typical "pre-prep" teachers. They try to make it a relaxed, enjoyable experiencethe parents' meetings with the heads are just t allow him to give you feedback on what happened in the group meeting and to allow you to ask questions. It is not an " interview" of the parents!
Hope your boys have fun on the day.

SuperWorried · 19/01/2016 14:57

Thanks cherokeee for the encouragement and tips. Whatever happens next I am happy for DS -- at least I can say it's not owing to my being not pushy that caused the damage. It did prove to a certain degree that kids at this tender age can indeed have some happy 'normal' schooling even under this ever stressful 7+ process. Having said that, it's by no means an easy ride for the worring parents... Fingers crossed for the interview.

Original poster

workingmum9 · 19/01/2016 22:33

Thank you manicwestlondonmum - that is so helpful. I am actually pleased to hear that they take 5 boys in and ask questions that get them to use their minds so prep not required. Does anyone know if they are eliminating at this stage or just looking for those that have an extra spark?
And what is the parent talk like? Unfortunately my better half is away on a business trip so I hope that doesn't appear uncommitted! We did mention it to the headmaster as we picked our DS up after the exam last week...

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manicwestlondonmum · 20/01/2016 17:29

Hi workingmum, it's really difficult to know exactly what they are looking for - they keep saying they want boys who are eager to learn.
For us, the parent talk, was very relaxed, the head told us how our ds had done in the written test and asked if we had any questions - more like a sales pitch than interrogation. But comfortable not pushy. Asked why we wanted our son in the school.

On the seeming uncommitted bit, maybe you just follow up with an email apologising that your better half can't make it - that he tried very hard to adjust his schedule etc etc.

All the best everyone.

Michaelahpurple · 20/01/2016 19:51

The parent talk can be quite detailed. My ds is quite a character and head got right in there "he seems great fun and sparky but does that sometimes make him hard to manage in class?"

They had some year 8s speak to us in turn while we waited - don't let your boy use up all his questions in them

My ds really enjoyed brain- storm in poetry in the classroom bit.

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