Does anyone have experience with leaving schools like Highgate/UCS/Latymer for a different school in Year 7

[rosetta0]

Hello,
We are currently with one of the above schools and are thinking of applying to Kings/St Paul's/Westminster etc for entry to year 7. I'm just wondering if you know how the schools take this? If my child applies and cannot get through a different school, will it affect his position in his current school?
Also wondering if anyone knows how is the pressure on boys in these highly academic school like Kings/St Pauls/Westminster? I understand that there will be more emphasis on academics but are the boys very competitive? Are most of the boys who get through the highly academic schools happy or is it a lot of pressure for their age?

God why would you? The 11+ is grim and those are three great schools that you'd be swapping for three great schools with a slightly higher academic record.

Any bright child will have a big cohort of bright children at those 'lesser' schools, the only difference will be that they'll also share the school with some marginally less bright children. Marginally less mind. Is there really enough of a difference to go through the whole process and risk your child 'failing' as well as damaging your relationship with the school? In fact there's an argument that it's far better for children's self--esteem to have more mixed ability.

Also would you be taking on a worse or better commute?

I’ve got family memebers who went to the schools you mention + have taught in highly selective boys’ schools and I’d say the impression is uniformly competitive. Is it any different at the current school? To me it seems that academic schools just tend to attract competitive individuals. Aren’t you a competitive type yourself? What’s the motivation behind wanting to change schools?

I know people who've tried this from one school you mention. Their children didn't get in to the schools. I don't think it damaged the relationship with the existing school but I agree in the others - why go through all that hassle for just a tad more prestige? Your child will end up with exactly the same results.

Thank you for your responses!
Commute wise, we might be slightly better off if he gets through, so that is not a concern.
My son is exceptionally bright (he was in the waiting list of these academic schools in 7+ even though we were from state school with no tutor. And he is doing extremely well in his current school as well). And that's why I'm tempted for him to sit in these slightly higher academic schools. There must be a reason why these schools have the reputation they have!
BUT, at the same time, he is very happy in his current school, which makes me doubt if I should even try to make him move. What if he doesn't get through and it effects his relationship here. Or worse, what if he gets through and is not as happy?
Sorry, I'm a very confused mummy. Your answers have helped a lot. Thanks!

If he is very happy don't even think about it

A lot of the reason why these schools have these reputations is simply because ie Westminster is a much, much older school than, say, Highgate. But all three schools you've mentioned in your title are superb schools, your son is not suffering academically by attending any of them.

@ForeverbyJudyBlume: Thanks!

Ditto. Never move a happy child unless you've got very compelling reasons to do so (you're moving house for example).

I have friends who are obsessed with not just the top 1% or 2% of schools (of which all of the above fit into) but the top 1 or 2 actual schools. They're constantly moving their children around, giving them awful commutes, uprooting them, and I've never understood quite why.

I think it's easy to get sucked into worrying about where your dc's school is perceived to be in the pecking order.

But these league tables are not the be all and end all of it.

A child being happy and settled and making good progress is not one who should be moved IMO. That child's results won't change by changing school, so what would be gained?

Plus the 11+ / 13+ processes are a huge upheaval in their own right. Why put him through that?

Thank you all

We live in West London and it is very common for parents to try to move DDs from wonderful local schools to Bute aiming for SPGS at 7+. I wouldn’t do it. I know it is a different gender, age group, and totally different area but hope the experience is still worth sharing. The ones stayed with the current school are still thriving (they are not discriminated against by the current school) or got into SPGS at 11+ when they were ready. One girl I know very well got into Bute at 7+, although still got in SPGS, but developed a difficult relationship with the mum partly due to the pressure put on her when she was 7 and the fact she had to leave her friends to join a far a way new school. Appreciate every family has different situations, so this is for reference only.

Westminster application date is missed.
The others you're still in for a chance.
Your current school will have to write a reference. I woudl talk to your teacher and discuss with them.

Hi, realize it's been several years since this thread but wondered what the OP decided? @rosetta0