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!

Lovetulips, congrats on the offers! I would strongly encourage you to ask that question to the schools and parents directly if possible. Whilst no help here (as we have a similar choice to make, and our dilemma mainly stems from not having had the opportunity to visit one of the schools in person due to lockdown), we asked NLCS questions about children’s mental health and got very sensible and reassuring answers from both the school and parent representatives in online sessions.
Pastoral care aside, you may also want to consider the distance to the school and whether having a long commute (for us it would be a 40 minute school coach) would be a problem given your concerns.

Hi mxinthewoods, thank you for responding! We are going to ask NLC on the zoom session coming up but there aren't really further opportunities to ask, we have exhausted friends and personal contacts. Several people at SH have mentioned that NLC is incredibly tough and we will have to be prepared to tutor etc but no input in terms of support and resilience building at junior level. We don't know anyone who has actually studied at NLC in the past 5 years. The coach ride is long for us also but less of a concern as DD loves nothing better than to talk someone's ear off on an early morning bus, preferably while also looking through books and eating :)

My DD was at NLCS although just for senior. It suits the right girl and she thrived there. Although my other DD who didn't get in, and I was upset at the time, I can see clearly how she wouldn't have enjoyed it.
Although super academic, once you're actually a pupil 'in' the school, you don't notice it. It is really fabulous with great facilities. I just think if they offered your DD the place , they must want her. They definitely are not over-generous with their offers

Why on earth do people in North London tutor so much? NLCS is a through school isn't it? Why do people need to tutor once their child has been accepted.

I don't doubt its true as the Good School Guide says the same thing but I can't understand it unless the teaching is terrible or they aren't good at stretching the most able or something.

thank you afewtoomanychoices, that's helpful, we are also tempted to 'trust the process' as DD's issue was very clear during the assessment and she was offered a place, so they must feel she can manage.

I've heard that habs girls took 20 extra this year so 3 classes of 20?! Has anyone heard the same? Does this mean they won't have a 7 plus entry in the future?

Habs is definitely moving to three firm entry this year.