7+ exams at Westminster, Habs, St. Paul's

[Biw]

I haven't noticed a 7+ thread for the ultra competitive schools this year and thought I'd start one - rather late, I know!! My son is a very clever but unassuming little fellow, comfortably in the top 5 of children in his year group despite being A relatively young June baby. Our head suggested he sits the 7+. I have been supporting him myself with Bond books and recently having a go at past papers online from the schools who publish them!

My biggest concern is Westminster. As we've never hired a tutor and they don't publish sample papers I have no idea what the exams entail and what level it is pitched. At this point I am hoping some mums who have been through the exams can come to my rescue and share any information just so my son knows what to expect on the day! E.g. For the composition and comprehension paper how much time is given? I heard Kings College (unfortunately too far south for us) gave them only 20 minutes to write a whole story! Any other info on the maths and reasoning paper would be very gratefully received. Also is there some kind of activity e.g. Art they do on exam day?

For habs my son found the sample papers very easy. Is it really representative of the real thing?

Thank you so much for your help.

Dixie2010
Very sorry to hear about your result. There are a couple other boys who we know sre extremely bright but didnt get a call... not sure how many applied, am guessing 300+.
I have been told re parents interview being v important.... wonder if they are looking close to celebrity parents which we are clearly not! We are well educated and professional parents. Ms Shaw seemed like a nice person when I saw her on the exam day. So hoping she wont be grilling .

Thanks infoplus, yes it's stiff competition for sure and it's hard for me not having any feedback at this stage, especially given he got through to interview at the other schools. But clearly wasn't meant to be for him this year. I think quite the contrary re celebrity parents, I actually bizarrely know of one such mum who got interview last year (very glamourous too!) and her son didn't get an offer in the end. That was a shock. Just be yourself and prepared for discussing any possible weak areas. Best of luck! A couple of boys I know had their interviews today and both sets of mums said it went well via text although no details of what happened. Aside from that Maxine Shaw is meant to be very nice. You will do great!! Keep us posted. X

Infopls IME you can't prep for this interview. Obviously the HM has since changed but with Mr Meunier he met the boys first before the parents and wanted to discuss his impressions of each boy with his parents, plus performance in the written papers. You may be asked why SPJS if it is a long journey for you. The boys have some group discussions with the HM and then they do a bit more writing/activities while the HM is meeting parents. Everyone is very friendly in the waiting room. We came out with a very favourable impression of the school and the process. Hope this helps!

anyone been to interview at ST PAULS/COLET COURT interview today?

Dixie2010
Thanks for much for the info, that makes me feel btr! Will keep you posted

highclere,
Thank you for sharing a positive view. They were indeed super friendly on open day as well as written exam.....fingers crossed.

Any info you guys have regarding interviews today or yesterday- kindly post so we can be better prepared!

Thank you for all info. Congrats again to all who got through to interview at SP. Dixie, I feel for you, but glad you've got other school options so all will be great for your lil man!😀
My DS unfortunately also was not invited for interview (having only sat this and KCS, where he didn't complete a couple tests)... worked super hard (coming from non-prep indie school; goes till 13) on top of 6 activities each week & homework, etc. I feel down TBH as I thought formal tuition was not necessary to prep and invested "all my time" in him. We haven't told him yet. He's super confident he's in! Could someone from state school please reply if they have got interview and how it went? (He was put in the state school batch on test day.)
We don't want to prep him for 8+ after the hectic year he's been through, so are deciding not to think of it, despite the invitation extended in the letter from the HM. I understand the 8+ is so much more tough.
How has it turned out for those in past years who didn't make it to one of these schools at 7+, though the child had the potential/qualities they look for? Any thoughts much appreciated. TIA

Hi Clueless23
From my personal experience I don't think formal tuition is needed. My DS was in state school and got offered places at KCS and CC (SP) at 7+. That was three years ago though. He has adjusted very well at KCS.
I think it largely depends on how he has mainly performed on the day and what are other boys in his year group like and how they have comparatively performed.
My advice to you is keep investing your time in him, not for the purpose of 8+ but for his general good and then make a decision after 4-5 months to see if you want to go through the process again. Wish you Good Luck!

Clueless23
I feel for you, clearly it looks like you worked really hard with your son! Fingers crossed for KCS results! they are out today or tomorrow? (in 1st class post , i think?)
Am curious to find out what is STATE SCHOOL Batch? was this at ST PAULS or KCS?

Thank you for your kind thoughts blueswitch and Info. Not much hope for KCS.
In response to your question, my son was put in the classroom where all boys (supposedly "everyone" lest there are others from nonprep indep) were from state schools.

At SPJ

blueswitch1
Thats amazing to get both offers at CC and KCS. Very well done to DS!!! Would you mind telling me how did you arrive at the decision of taking KCS over CC?

Clueless23
Why no hope for KCS? Even if he has left a couple of tests incomplete, and has done well in other tests plus interview and activity morning,,,,,he should be ok. KCS has 56 seats!!!

Info
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/1985761-Colet-v-KCS-7
See the above thread I started 3 years ago when deciding between them. I felt DS would be a happier child at KCS and this was his own gut feeling as well. Not much to distinguish between them btw, but I liked KCS more than CC from visits.
The other factor was possibility of going for IB later on.

Blueswitch1
Thanks the thread is very helpful. Hope your son is enjoying at KCS

Clueless 8+ is not necessarily tougher than 7+ as your DS will have already done a lot of preparation AND he will be a year older. Kids mature a lot in that year. Hire an external tutor if you feel that it will help him AND he would benefit from going to those schools. Lots of boys aren't ready at 7+ and flourish at 8+.

Please could anybody help with tips for interview St Pauls Juniors 8 plus

thanks morewhine for the insight.
I've had a word w his current school teacher to challenge him a bit more as he is bored at school. She's def going to extend his learning. As for 8+, he's been wiped out doing extra stuff beyond school this past year, so we won't think of it for a while. Thank you

Receive result from WMU by email with a no, hsve to say mor than a bit sad..... According to DS he doing even better than we ask questions at home...He did his best job Wish you all te luck!

So sorry to hear that Isabella1881. I hope it works out for DS in another school, somehow things always come good in the end. But I honestly know how disappointing it must be for you as a mum. I felt devastated by SPJ as it was our first choice, but I know now that for some reason it wasn't meant to be for my DS this year. Stay strong. It honestly will work out in the end. X

Thanks O(∩_∩)O! Should prepare a little more and tutor for interview a bit a leat maybe. Even not doing research for schools, my fault. Maybe will try againO

Another thing I would like to ask for i thriw away st pauls letter of not invite interview by accident....just remember something about form or may ? May anybody who have letter give me a clue what is it...thanksO

We got a no from Westminster as well. Very disappointed to have come this far and not got an offer. Granted, 2 classmates Who got offers are sept and oct birthdays. The extra 8 months difference helps a lot. We have an offer from Habs but would have to move house. Anxiously waiting to see how St. Paul's works out. Congrats to everyone with offers.

Isabella, the St. Paul's decline form states that they will send you a form in May if you would like DS to enter at 8plus. That's one decline letter tho, there are 2 types - the other type does not specifically refer to inviting DS to enter 8plus or so I have heard from others this year. Sorry to hear re WUS Biw, it is so tough getting a decline from your preferred school. I felt exactly the same abt St Paul's. I was honestly so down and sad for DS for days esp as his friends got interviews. We were lucky with getting an offer from WUS last night but we also got an offer from Kings earlier this week which we will be taking instead, as it suits us better as a family. So if anyone got waitlist for WUS, there will be a space freed up soon. Good luck to you all! ESP with St. Paul's results on Tuesday. It will all finally be over soon.

My son is much older but went through this process. I suggest that if your son finds the preparation exhausting they won't enjoy the environment. The highly selective prep schools are very fast paced and entry to the senior schools is possible from less demanding schools.

I know! Wish you all the luck and congratulations for all boys get there dream school!