3+4+5+7+ support thread mumteacher 2021

[Mumteacher1]

I know it’s a little later than usual but here it is! #letsdothis

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

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/3780207-3-4-5-7-Support-thread-2020-Mumteacher

We didn’t :(

it seems like what they say on this thread about ending up taking the tutored kids is true. Reason given is

”Our curriculum is fast paced and our final decisions considered which children showed the greatest readiness for learning at Highgate when we met them.”

Hi Tenterhooks, sorry to hear this :(
but to add we did get in and did not tutor our child- one of our friends also had their child accepted and they didn’t tutor either.
it is a lottery though, don't be disheartened!

@hopefulmum16 thanks and congratulations!

Hopefulmum16, we did get in..
Tenterhooks, sorry to hear this and I believe it’s more of a lottery game. I’m still not quite sure what each school is looking for on the kids. It really depends how the kids perform on the day even you might have tutored them well. I haven’t tutored my child but I did play some odd one out, matching pairs games etc with them.
Wish you good luck for the other 4+ school results.

Congrats lottery - great news!

Congrats Lotterygame, is this your preferred school? Would be great to hear some thoughts from people who have their kids there as we don’t know anyone personally!

Congrats to those that received good news and sorry to hear that not all got a place. Opening those emails must be so scary. Are you all still waiting for more results? Sorry I don’t know much about Highgate but I’m sure there are lots of threads about it.

We are still waiting on UCS @4pluscraziness - thats on 31st Jan.
what about you?

Waiting for the outcome of Habs on Monday. Seem to be less people on these threads than previous years. Shame as I don’t know anyone else applying so have found this really useful! Thank

Anyone have experience with reserve lists at Highgate?

We have Habs boys but it wasn’t our top choice given its too far

@hopefulmum16 have the Habs results already come out?

Habs boys is on 30Jan

We’re hoping for UCS. Habs as second choice. We have a yes for Highgate, but at this point it’s very much third choice/ backup. My cousin has two children there, and whilst they are relatively happy (bar the usual hiccups), her main concern is that the school is so enormous they don’t really ‘know’ either of her children. Also the upper school isn’t nearly as appealing as either UCS or Habs. Just a personal opinion of course.

I’m hoping that UCS comes through for my DS as I’ve heard nothing but good things about pastoral/ academics there. We’ll see next week…..

Thanks @NorthwestLondonMama thats really useful insights. UCS Is our top choice too, we have heard great things from friends whose son goes there plus its practical too as its closer! Highgate would be second choice. Habs due to distance isn’t really an option.
Good luck!

@hopefulmum16 thank you and good luck to you too! This waiting game is excruciating I have to say. Also considering whether to take up a nice offer we already have from a lovely prep school, and then try UCS again at 11+ if we don’t get it this time. Tricky decisions all round!

@NorthwestLondonMama little while to go now! We also have a 7+ option but tbh it was such a stressful process, I would rather just be done with it now and take Highgate if unfortunately we don’t get UCS !

I’m assuming most of your children go to quite a demanding pre-prep in the Golders Green or Hampstead area ? If this is the case honestly don’t feel bad @hopefulmum16 you did the right thing by not tutoring as in the long run they have had all the possible education from there, already above eyfs and as said prob wasn’t right / bit of a lottery. Good luck for habs.

@NorthwestLondonMama from my experience in the system as a child take the 4+ it only gets more stressful for you and your child ! !

Yes I hear you. Although looking at it in retrospect, it was really only me getting stressed out- my DS seemed to enjoy the whole experience 😀We’ll see what happens in the next week or so. I’m hopeful for UCS and/or Habs…. let’s see. Although of course it does seem to be something of a lottery!

@mumzy4u oh yes absolutely we don’t have any regrets about not tutoring. He goes to a really good nursery and I did spend lots of time playing games or doing activities with him when I got the chance as I work full time (that too mainly since Sep). So everything a tutor may have done and cost an arm and leg for one hour per week, I would do daily with just 10-15 mins of my time each morning or in the evenings. We are glad with the first outcome, hopefully the second, more important one comes through too !

@NorthwestLondonMama yes, I was the only one stressed here, my son absolutely loved going to all these new schools.
I might be optimistic but I genuinely think Habs after the second round will be very generous with their offers as they need 40 kids and given its far, they likely even have a long reserve list (round two couldn’t have had more than 80 max).
UCS is a black box though, don’t know how many went to round 2 (loads from our nursery did). They also have a sibling policy (even if they say they don’t) and only 32 total seats. So I am still nervous on that outcome !

@NorthwestLondonMama i disagree I live in Elstree and local parents are a plenty for schools like habs and manor lodge. It’s an affluent area and those nearby who apply are a plenty. They will have had over 400 applicants.

@hopefulmum16

Okay since you are local so you would definitely know better