3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ Support thread 2019

[mumteacher]

In previous years I have started these threads to help and support all those involved in the independent school admissions process.

I wasn't going to start one this year as I know I would not be able to check back on it as regularly as I would like, which then defeats the purpose of the thread.

However, after numerous positive PM's about the threads I think it would be a shame not to start one where at least the hand holding can continue. 🤝

There are many many people who have been through the process and 'live to tell the tale' . There are also other tutors I know who read this thread and it would be great if you all could help and support and share your ideas👏🏼

(Roll on 2019!) 😉

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/3073499-3-4-5-7-support-thread-2018

@marquez35. Where did you accept?

Sorry bit of a stupid qn but do you mean just gave up ie this evening, or gave up before the deadlineans paying the deposit. As of this lunchtime there were no further spaces....

Hi all; I’ve been lurking because of my nerves. My eldest was waitlisted for Highgate. I know the deadline for offers was yesterday. But I have not heard one way or the other - this is the first time I’ve done this. Could someone explain the protocol: do you get an official rejection off the wait list or if you don’t hear back from them and don’t get any email or letters, does that mean it’s a no anyway? If it was an outright “no” would they tell me that or do you just take silence to mean it’s a no (I don’t know if they write to everyone on the wait list?)
I’m assuming no news in this case means bad news... I don’t know). I’ve asked about the position on the list and while they are very nice about it they won’t tell me how close we are. I just wanted to see if anyone could tell me before phoning and looking like a mad woman in my desperation again.

It is best to phone them ... there is no harm in showing interest in the school by calling them and letting them know that you are eager to take a spot. Worked for us in past.
I don't think they send letter or give a clear no but that's just my experience.

@whatisit12345 oh thank you. so good to know. I've called... a few times yesterday (!) and was holding off this morning but now I will. I suppose then that means everyone on the wait list is in the same position, if they don't actually say no outright.

Hmm. Apparently it's unlikely that they'll be calling to waitlist now that deadline has passed and offers accepted. I was sort of hoping that deadline wasn't so set in stone and there might still be movement.

They hinted that if there is any news they will call me tomorrow. I'm not getting my hopes up. I guess that's their way of saying no without being too painful. They must be telling everyone the same thing. I guess that's it? When do you draw a line? When do you just accept it?

Is anyone else on the Highgate wait list?

We r on the Highgate reserve list. When the deadline passed yesterday and I didn’t hear anything i called in the afternoon. I asked them if it’s a no and they said they will be in a better position by the end of the week as they are still waiting for a few people to respond back. This have me hope which was dim. I was waiting for the good news tomorrow after talking to them but got a rejection letter in post! They could have just told me yesterday but they didn’t. 11+ it is for us. I’m heartbroken for my son but now I know and can rest and move on.
OliveL34 you can still get an offer. Good luck.

I think that when a WL somewhere finally closes i.e. all the spaces are full, they do let those on the WL know either with a phone call or email.

Highgate waitlist will close on 31st August 2019.

Highgate waitlist will close on 31st August 2019

that is presumably the date at which they will delete the names. But in fact it will realistically close when they have the 80 or so kids that they need and they have all paid a deposit. After that the chances of coming in off the WL drop dramatically as someone needs to be willing to give up the deposit, which I assume is at least £2k.

@SQ77 I am sorry, that sounds hard. I agree it might have been fairer to tell you on the phone instead of getting hopes up. Thank you also for sharing and clarifying about a rejection letter. We didn’t get one yesterday so we shall hang on and see over the next few days.
Thanks for all the explanations everyone.

@dietcokemegafan thanks for the clarification- I was not sure. That makes sense. They hinted on the phone we’d hear as soon as a place come up suggesting we are near the top of the list so I will wait and see.

Has anyone got a letter/ email about the NCLS waitlist. I think some people were called but we haven’t had any communication.

Hi. Has anyone heard from Highgate 3+? I heard 27 siblings were through to second round so slim chance for us but not sure if anyone’s heard yet?

This support thread has actually made me depress and dejected instead of helping. I’m not a envious person but my zen has been destroyed by being on this thread.
I’m truly happy for all the people who have gained offers, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not easy to read success stories of multiple offers when you yourself were unable to get even 1.
Good luck to all for their new schools and more good luck to unsuccessful candidates as you are strong and will get there eventually.
My son will be taking the 8+ and the other one 11+ in Jan 2020 and I will not be logging on to mumsnet for my own sanity.
Peace out x

@lonmum1234 - did you get contacted by NLCS? We had received a phone call on the Wednesday of the deadline.

Have any of the mums who have accepted habs 4+ been assigned their classes as yet (ie rainbows and bobbins). A few of my DDs nursery have but we haven't.. Wondering if we're missing an email?

Hoping someone can help me on this thread.

We have offers from both Wetherby Kensington and Chepstow House school. We are stuck on which is the better school. We are not too fussed on whether our son goes to an all boys or a co-Ed school.

Does anybody have experience of either of these schools? Because Wetherby Kensington is so new, do you think it will have the same standards and teaching as Wetherby in Notting Hill?

Thank you!

I don't have any experience of Wetherby Kensington but Chepstow House is an amazing school. The head is absolutely brilliant, the teachers are really engaged and the parent community really nice. Can't speak highly enough about it. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me.

Hi, just wanted to thank those who gave their input for the 4+ assessment process. We have an offer from Putney High Junior which was the only assessment we did.

Waving to anyone else who is going there?

Hello- my son is two and he is my first. Most of the schools around us are assessment based. The first of these is the 3+ at Highgate (if we are called!). My son is currently at a bright horizons nursery- would advice be to move to a more 'formal' nursery so he can be prepared for assessments or are they a complete lottery/impossible to prep for anyway? And do people have thoughts on Montessori and if it's good or bad preparation for school assessments in general? If anyone has any advice, thank you in advance.

Dear mumteacher,
Please help me with what all I need to prepare my son for the said test. Could not find much on 5+ on support threads.
Please help. Regards

My dd turned 3 in May this year and will be sitting SHHS, Habs, NLCS and PGHS for a 2020 reception admission. Can you please share your valuable advice.

I have created a new thread for 2020:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/parenting/3726805-3-4-5-7-Support-thread-2020?watched=1