Abercorn School and Devonshire House in North London - Help needed

[MissScotland]

Hi mamas! We are relocating from Oxfordshire to North London this summer. Our kids (girl 6.5 and boy 4.5) go to a small independent village school which is excellent on all aspects. We are in the process of looking for a school for them for next year (they will be entering Y3 and Y1).
We applied to Devonshire House after visiting on Open Day and loving it. Both our kids were assessed recently and didn't get an offer. We are gutted as we weren't prepared for this or aware at all of the type of assessment our DD will have to go through to enter Y3. We didn't tutor her or even tell her that there was going to be a written test for nearly an hour and that the whole thing was timed and no questions can be asked :-/ Not being familiar with this concept, she didn't do very well even though she's a top pupil at her current school (which is extremely academic) and was assessed as gifted on various occasions. We were shocked to find out that other parents took months to privately tutor their kids for this assessment and paid $$$ for it. We just weren't prepared for it at all and the school certainly didn't give us the impression that at least explaining of the format needed to be done beforehand.
Having said that, we can only blame ourselves and get on with it. The school said the kids were high on the wait list and that they are rather optimistic (my husband tends to think this is their standard reply).
Sadly, this was the only school we applied to (we were totally confident they would have no problems getting in) and now have no other options in the bag.
We contacted several other school and so far Abercorn School said they will most likely have spaces for them (DS won't need an assessment and DD they said should be able to pass the assessment easily but I don't know who to believe anymore...). Obviously there are application fees of £100 a head.
So a couple of questions:

1. Does anyone have experience with being on the wait list for DH and getting in eventually? Any tips/thoughts/shared experiences would be welcome.
2. Any recent thoughts on Abercorn School?
3. Any ideas for other excellent schools that might still have places for them?

We will live in West Hampstead and are interested in co-ed schools that are excellent academically and that have relatively small classes. Sorry for the length and thanks in advance!

Well if you sent her into the 7+ unprepared that isn't too surprising, do they not have details of it on their website? You're not the first to underestimate the exam. You could try St Margaret's for DD as they sometimes have movement for year 3. Good luck.

Devonshire isn't that great tbh, have you tried the new St Anthony's girls school it is new so there will probably be space and the head is amazing. If they take your Dd.the boys might find space for your DS

Thanks MrsMarigold! I forgot to mention we would like to stay away from faith schools but also we really want to send them to a co-ed school. So St Anthony's isn't a great option for us...
Why is DH not that great? Would love to get any info at this point :-)

DH is great, do try to pursue, maybe they are waiting to see how much movement they have by pupils exiting at 7+ over the next week before confirming the place.
Are you tied to North London? You could try Chepstow House or fulham prep or ravenscourt park prep or newton prep if you are open to other parts of London. Notting Hill Prep as well, worth trying a few more.

Thanks sanam2010! We are tied to north London and to West Hampstead specifically. For the first couple of years at least...

I thought DH would take anyone! I don't have friends with children there any more, they've moved onto other schools. DH is a much better option than Abercorn, their pupils are just too transient and its difficult from a social and academic perspective.

We moved out of West Hampstead, partly to get out of the difficult school environment, the whole thing was just too competitive for me and I wanted a much more relaxed environment for my children, especially in KS1. But, if you're stuck in London, I really wouldn't rule out putting your children in better single sex schools or different schools for example Hampstead Hill for your youngest so he'll get into a better school at 7+.

I’ve pm-ed you missscotland

underneaththeash, maybe by the end of the process DH will take most kids but first round has 4 pupils over each space... We'll know better next time.
I'm struggling with the idea of single sex schools (my husband is with me on this). I really think that they should be mixing daily with boys and girls and that they should both be in the same school together. But thanks a lot for your answer, food for thought!

Have you looked at Maple Walk, That would take you in a different direction travel wise. Not sure on the jouney but maybe also consider MillHill Foundation schools, Northbridge House, Godwin’s if getting to Mill Hill is ok and of course consider state then indie at 11

For a girls option there is also Sarum Hall and the Village in hampstead which you could try? Boys you could give a try to Lyndhurst, Hereward house..? I know you want co-ed though..
For co-ed options in the area, North bridge is a definite option though it isn't everyones cup of tea... otherwise co-ed is heathside which is a fab school but can be hard to get into ..

Hendon Prep?
Academy Prep?