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

447 replies

Mumteacher1 · 16/11/2021 01:32

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

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phopa · 01/02/2022 20:00

Also have a daughter at NLCS and another who just got accepted for reception. I am a full time working mum, don’t live near the school, don’t believe in pushing my daughters to do 50 different things in addition to an already long school day but I still love the school. The pastoral care in the junior school is amazing. All of my daughter’s friends love school- there is no pressure as there are no 7 or 11 plus exams to prepare for. I highly recommend the school and for anyone deciding for or against NLCS, I would suggest speak to actual parents whose daughters study in the school, rather than going on here say.

Happymama32 · 01/02/2022 20:03

Hello mums - has anyone received a waitlist offer from either NLCS or SHHS? I know the lists run long and wondering if there has been any movement!

NWMumof3 · 01/02/2022 20:14

@JustOneDD hello, my friend’s DD is at St Christopher’s- she was also rather sensitive and emotional as a small child, somewhat of a people pleaser if you will. Anyway, she has really thrived at St Christopher’s - almost a total transformation in two years from an anxious worry-wart, she has blossomed into a confident young lady with a real growth mindset. The school is magical. If your child is sensitive, take the right path, you won’t regret it 🤩

tiktokontheclock · 01/02/2022 22:00

I'd like some advice from current parents on habs. Pastoral care, how happy are the girls, are they made to do 20 different extra curriculars? My dd does two extra classes now which feels like enough.

JustOneDD · 02/02/2022 01:03

@NWMumof3 Thank you - that is really helpful to hear! My DD is definitely a people pleaser as well.

Rangsrocks · 02/02/2022 09:14

Anyone accepting Highgate or already have a child there? I have a daughter and wondering how the sub conscious bias impacts the mentality. Are girls encouraged enough to participate in everything? Also, the whole sexual abuse incident that happened last year is freaking me out a little bit.
Any insight on the school will be really helpful.

NWMumofDD · 02/02/2022 11:59

Hi, my DD is in reserve list at City…any idea if waitlist at City Junior has started moving?
Do schools generally wait till the deadline before allocating places from reserve list?
Many thanks for your insights.

Mamusik20 · 02/02/2022 14:07

I have Y4 daughter at the school, feel free to PM me. I do not know where this ‘Highgate is for boys’ coming from, they have a lot of provisions for girls only. Sexual abuse thing, the school is on top of this and doing it’s own investigation along with policies review and enhancement of wellbeing and pastoral care and support!

Emt49 · 02/02/2022 14:17

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

beautifulondon · 02/02/2022 20:50

Our daughter has offers for 7+ from Habs, SHHS and Highgate. The closest school to us is SHHS but we are planning to move anyways closer to her school so distance is not a deciding factor. Would love to hear from parents with daughters at Habs (both junior and senior school) and especially how happy the girls are. Thank you.

FunnyBear · 03/02/2022 09:24

Not much differentiates the top 5 schools. Speak to more parents. Select the school with the best pastoral care.

7plus11plus · 03/02/2022 09:55

@beautifulondon Hi we are at a similar situation here. Will drop Highgate as we prefer single sex schools. Habs junior is definitely great but our worries are the senior school. We have close friends there and heard it’s very pushy and many girls doing homework till midnight 🥲 We are going there tomorrow for the tea thing anyway. To find out more.

MumintheNWhood · 03/02/2022 16:01

I have a DD at SHHS - I sent her there instead of StC and I wish I’d had better advice at the time. She’s always been a slightly reserved child, but I went against my better judgement and took a punt with it. I really feel that the often agressive, always competitive nature of her peers has overwhelmed her and almost totally stamped out the light from her eyes. I’d make the decision carefully. If she’s right for the school, and it suits her - you’ll know better by the time she’s 10/11, and it’ll be easy to go from St C. I will be sending my younger DD straight to St C when the time comes!

Ericaequites · 03/02/2022 17:50

Select the school with the easier commute, especially for all through schools. It’s tough when you have to drive 11+ children to and from everything at school. It’s easier when they can play with others nearby.

FunnyBear · 06/02/2022 18:27

Is it wise to refuse a 4+ offer from a top 5 school to keep the child at a top pre-prep?

Bertie1812 · 07/02/2022 14:15

@FunnyBear

Is it wise to refuse a 4+ offer from a top 5 school to keep the child at a top pre-prep?
I think it depends if you are going to sit them when they are older anywhere different to where you already have offers from
bbshaw · 08/02/2022 11:19

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have any experience of the Alleyn's 7+ waiting list? Does it typically move?

Thanks

tiktokontheclock · 09/02/2022 08:28

@FunnyBear

Is it wise to refuse a 4+ offer from a top 5 school to keep the child at a top pre-prep?
Honestly no. the outcome could only be the same or worse if it is a top 5 school. I would move.
Mum2000K · 09/02/2022 08:33

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WorkingMummy2022 · 13/02/2022 15:39

Interested in where the nursery reference worry upthread ended up. More generally, do schools always require a nursery reference at 3+/4+ and how much sway do those have?

tiktokontheclock · 13/02/2022 20:56

My DD was accepted at all of her schools. They all asked for references apart from habs. I guess they prefer to make their own minds up.

IdealisticCynic · 16/02/2022 09:42

@WorkingMummy2022

Interested in where the nursery reference worry upthread ended up. More generally, do schools always require a nursery reference at 3+/4+ and how much sway do those have?
I think you might be referring to my anxious comment/rant? In the end it was fine - but only just. My daughter got an offer from Highgate (no nursery ref) which we weren't that bothered about but waitlisted at Channing (did have a ref) which we really wanted. She was really unwell at the second round of Channing, so the reference did matter in the end.

We have since learned from the nursery that they didn't properly assess her before, hadn't considered her previous nursery's assessment (only 6 months prior at above average in every EYFS category) and didn't know what she was capable of (reading, basic maths etc). Luckily she got an offer from Channing a few days later, but it has obviously left us concerned at how the nursery weren't paying sufficient attention and whether that applies to other issues (emotional needs being the most important to us).

If you are applying next year, I suggest perhaps making sure that the nursery is fully aware of what she is doing at home and having a look at his/her files every so often to ensure they are assessing as they go along - instead of just getting the form, panicking and ticking the middle box as ours did because they had no data.

N.B. A child absolutely does not need to be able to read or do maths, and we didn't actually teach her, she just picked it up by asking questions when we read to her etc. I followed her lead in what she wanted to do/know - i.e. when asking what letters in books were, telling her, when asking about numbers, answering her. I only mention the reading/maths thing at all because it was so clear that she was beyond the age appropriate level in those categories such that it showed us the nursery could not have been paying attention. But the schools do not look for it as it's not necessarily an indicator of future ability, so please don't worry about that.

Anyway, I hope that helps.

mumteacher2 · 23/06/2022 00:50

Username change mumteacher and mumteacher1 are both now redundant.

tiktokontheclock · 03/09/2022 22:20

Thoughts on summer borns and 4+? Do that stand a chance?!

Bertie1812 · 03/09/2022 23:28

tiktokontheclock · 03/09/2022 22:20

Thoughts on summer borns and 4+? Do that stand a chance?!

Absolutely. My daughter turned 4 last week and got 5 offers including habs, nlcs and SHHS.In her first round assessments she was in groups with children all born around the same time

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