3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ Support Thread 2021

[Thunderball1]

Creating a forum for stressed out parents undertaking a particularly difficult assessment path in these days of Covid.

I can only offer support as I'm equally worried as most parents having to record their children and send in video footage of them being particularly clever and those having to do zoom assessments for 3/4 year olds.

Wishing everyone luck and a peaceful mind!

[Gurglingbaby]

Anyone sitting for Habs or NLCS... We're just anxiously awaiting February as the schools say they will meet the children in person, subject to government guidelines.

[DirtyDancing]

Thanks @SouthLondonMommy I feel like I am blinding navigating this whole process at the moment, with pending 4+ And 7+ results.

[DirtyDancing]

Blindly rather!

[sthe]

My DD1 has her 7+ Alleyns interview this afternoon - she had a Jags interview on Wednesday. I hate being able to eavesdrop!
Jags didn't even request a video for DD2 4+!

[DirtyDancing]

@sthe my DS his Alleyn’s interview this afternoon too. With our JAPS results today + that im a wreck!

[sthe]

Oh god the conversation was like pulling teeth 😩

[SouthLondonMommy]

Offers have been sent and our DD has an offer. We are going to have to make a decision before she is even assessed by Alleyns this year and I haven't been able to visit either school.

Still we are very grateful / relieved!

[DirtyDancing]

We got JAPs reserve. I’m not sure if that feels worse than not being offered a place as we are in near miss/ limbo. I think I shall keep my expectations of it getting to us will be low with the likelihood they have over offered

@SouthLondonMommy congratulations!

[SouthLondonMommy]

Sorry @DirtyDancing but don't give up hope! I think the movement this year will be later than usual as Alleyns and JAGs offers are at different times and they are the main competition for each other. Alleyns offer acceptance deadline is Feb 24th and people will know if they have offers by next Thursday.

Unfortunately I think people may sit on offers until they can see schools in real life as many won't have been able to visit before applying.

Best of luck!

[ispynothing]

DD is going through Habs reception (for 21 entry) and haven't heard anything yet. I know the second round is week after next but this wait is a killer! Lol

[Goostacean]

Through to second stage at Arnold House 3+, visiting the school and a group play session for DS sometime in March. Can’t believe how long it’s going to be before we have an answer!

[MickeyMinnie]

@SouthLondonMommy @DirtyDancing do you know if there’s any movement on the JAGS 4+ waiting list? When is the deadline for acceptance? Thanks!

[SouthLondonMommy]

The deadline for acceptance is Friday so I suspect there will be movement from next week. There might be more after the Alleyns assessment results are known next Thursday as well.

I know of a couple of parents considering rejecting their offers so good luck!

[DirtyDancing]

No movement here yet but I agree if any it will be over next couple of weeks. I wish we knew where we are on the list, but it states they will not tell. 7+ tomorrow so it is tense at home! Lol

[BundlesOfJoy12]

Best of luck @DirtyDancing!

[SouthLondonMommy]

@DirtyDancing how do you think the 7+ for Alleyns went?

We've done the 4+ for Alleyns which my DD seemed to enjoy though there was no interaction with the other children. There was no playing or fun activities, just answering a series of fairly academic questions for 45 minutes based on her description!

[MickeyMinnie]

@SouthLondonMommy that’s quite surprising re 4+ for Alleyn’s as I thought they were more play based and in a group! Is it possible that the school gave more advanced materials to DD because they knew that she’s well ahead of her age academically?

[SouthLondonMommy]

Not sure. I suspect there wasn't any group interaction because of covid but she clearly felt it was an assessment and fell asleep when we got home. I'd sold it to her as a playdate as we haven't wanted to let on it was an assessment. She was very excited to go but was a bit disappointed. She specifically complained there was no snack!

[DirtyDancing]

@SouthLondonMommy sounds like DD did well today and enjoyed it!! Similar read out from a friend that took their DS, they have had to adapt due to covid. Best of luck to you.

We are super pleased DS had 2 7+ offers, including our first choice DC, and WL for Alleyn’s. So DC here we come!

[SouthLondonMommy]

Congrats @DirtyDancing! DC is a wonderful school and you don't have to think about entrance exams again. We are lucky to have such great through schools in Dulwich as the 11+ is such insanity.

I'm not sure ifDD did well or not as I'm not sure what they were trying to deduce from the questions. It might be how a child responds to something challenging rather than if they know the answer or not.

We'll have to wait now for Thursday but we have an offer from Jags so it doesn't feel so nerve-racking as it otherwise would.

[DirtyDancing]

@SouthLondonMommy agree I want to avoid 11+ entirely! Do let know how you get on Thursday

[DirtyDancing]

How did people get on with the Alleyn’s results today?

[SouthLondonMommy]

We got offered Alleyns @DirtyDancing

Now we just have to figure out which might be the better fit without ever having set foot in the schools.

I hope there is some movement soon for those of you on the JAGs waitlist. Acceptances are due in two weeks for Alleyns.

[DirtyDancing]

Well done!!! That’s wonderful news. Lovely to have a choice. Albeit very hard having not been to either. Are they doing any visits at all or follow up zooms to offer groups? I know it’s not the same but do pop to DV and walk round the outside of both sites- both are great

[SouthLondonMommy]

I live in Dulwich a few minutes walk from both and pass them everyday!

Alleyns is doing a socially distanced tour of the empty school on Monday but its hard to get a feel for a place without the children...