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Top private school manage out kid?

9 replies

Candyfloss2 · 17/10/2022 09:23

Sorry I am confused: I keep seeing post saying if once got in but not catching up eventually would have the talk of “ is this the right school for you “
but then the same time reading post saying “ waiting list not moving “ .
so how did those schools do it?
obviously it’s business at the end of day.
They need £ income also as well as making the leaves destination beautiful.

OP posts:
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midgetastic · 17/10/2022 09:26

It's rare because most parents take great care to choose the right school for the child and the selection tests and interviews are robust ?

happystory · 17/10/2022 09:26

What??!

mondaytosunday · 17/10/2022 09:51

Your post is confusing. But I don't think private schools admit children they hope will then 'catch up', they admit those who are already capable and will fit in.
Waiting lists move when the children offered places decide to accept a place at another school, not because children currently at the school are asked to leave, though there may be other reasons why children leave (finances, moving, etc).

elij · 17/10/2022 11:07

In the context of prep to senior school the best source of data we have comes from WUS and SPJ "OSINT" (annual reports, scholarship percentages etc.)

SPJ gets close to all of their 108 (usually 1 or 2 move sideways to Westminster or Eton) into the 174 spaces available at SPS and WUS got 69 into the greater school last year (again the non Westminster movement was to Eton if I remember right) which represents something like >95% moving to the greater school. This is also reflected in the distribution of scholarships (which shows relative ability and not a bias) with vast majority going to the incumbents (>80% at both).

We're at WUS and the difference between pre-prep and prep is now 100% of parents are talking about attainment and the mindset is reflected in the student population. It's different to a small handful of parents worrying about the next stages (as was the case in pre prep). The focus lowers the odds of kids falling behind.

Now in WUS specifically they're open about it and make their boys do assessments to get into the greater school. So in theory wouldn't need to manage out anyone but ultimately if you're not keeping up with the frequent testing you would probably leave of your own volition (through applying to other senior schools).

I'm less certain about how SPJ/KCS deals with this but the numbers indicate not many are managed out.

Candyfloss2 · 17/10/2022 11:42

So apart from kings junior .
everywhere else now instead of “ manage out” just do internal assessment from junior to Senior ?

OP posts:
elij · 17/10/2022 12:06

Candyfloss2 · 17/10/2022 11:42

So apart from kings junior .
everywhere else now instead of “ manage out” just do internal assessment from junior to Senior ?

officially only WUS put their kids through same assessment as external candidates (not internal).

I was just inferring that in SPJ the ability is comparable to those coming in externally at SPS (taking most scholarship places for example, most senior places etc.) so they must be doing good prep.

In these lower schools they test frequently and have a lot of clubs to catch up overseen by older students or teachers during lunch breaks etc.

I have no idea what happens in Latymer Lower, KCS etc. as it's less clear. So I can't say for sure they're not managing people out -- just doesn't seem like that happens often if at all.

passport123 · 17/10/2022 12:07

Most private schools will have a handful who leave after year 6, often due to geography/move to a grammar. There may be one or two who leave as they're not felt academic enough for the senior school - if that's your child you should get a warning in year 4 that things aren't going that well.

PatriciaHolm · 17/10/2022 12:38

passport123 · 17/10/2022 12:07

Most private schools will have a handful who leave after year 6, often due to geography/move to a grammar. There may be one or two who leave as they're not felt academic enough for the senior school - if that's your child you should get a warning in year 4 that things aren't going that well.

Indeed - DSD's school made it very clear that if needed, conversations would be had around Year 4/5, in order for parents to have time to consider the next step. My impression was it wasn't common, one a year or so, but it's also usually obvious to parents that a child isn't coping.

walkinpark · 17/10/2022 14:55

of course this will happen. there will be some kids who are bright but who cannot keep up with the level of effort and pressure which may be required of them at the senior school. is not necessary that what seemed like a good fit at age 7 will also be a good fit at age 11 etc.

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