Is my child clever enough for Canford?

[Nateismine]

DS 9 is at a village primary. I'd love him to go to Canford School. He has to sit the ISEB pretest next November when he has just turned 10. Sending him to a prep school is not an option- we'd like to spend all our money on Canford!
How do I know if he is clever enough for Canford? I don't want to put him in for the tests if it is out of his league.
He is doing well at his small village primary but is not exceptional. Will his teacher be able to give me a good idea? Will he have been CAT tested at his primary? Or do we just give it a go?
I'd love to hear if anyone has any experience of the pre tests.

Watching with interest! I had no idea they needed to do the ISEB so early for Canford - is that during Y5 or Y6? My DS is Y5 but the youngest in the year - August birthday.

My DD has just done it for Bryanston but in Y7.

You have another thread on this in secondary. I have posted there.

Dip The Pretest is fairly new and they can take it at various times in Yr 6 and Yr 7.* The earliest test is November 2018 and the majority of the places are allocated a few months later. Canford have said is better to sit the test as early as poss unless there is a specific reason not to.*

Dip Sorry not clear, the first chance is sitting the test is November in Yr 6.** My son is July born so also young, but I have been told that it is age adjusted?

What will he do in years 7 and 8?

I think this is majorly important to consider.

Is there another option that is more affordable to send him years 7-13?

Sue an extremely good question and one which we are stressing about!!
Options are state for 2 years and maybe some tutoring or push the boat out for 2 years of prep school - either Dumpton or Castle Court.* Really not sure what to do for the best( for our finances).*

Dip did your daughter sit the ISEB Pretest? How was it?

@Nateismine What school will his classmates be going to after the village school? What's it like? Any options?

The trouble is that the majority of students at Canford would be moving there from prep schools. I'd really ask the School's (Canford's) advice sooner rather than later. You want them to be absolutely clear that he is sitting the pre tests (and Common Entrance?) at a bit of a disadvantage.

I would like Canford to say they don't want a tutored kid though. I know that's the temptation - to go for a tutor, but unless they are really massively experienced in prep, CE and post 13 schools that don't follow the NC, you'd just be wasting your money...

I am not sure you can really afford this if you are worrying about prep school for 2 years. Fees go up in huge amounts and there are lots of extras. Have you really done the sums?