Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Flip

Original poster

8+ question

12 replies

user345292 · 02/03/2023 10:19

Hi, my DS did 7+ and the school he has got into was not our first choice. it is a very good school but not 'top 3' (KCJS/SPJ/WUS). now in two minds whether we should go for 8+ and if the effort is worth it. has anyone else been in same boat? any thoughts or advice please- would be super grateful. danke.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

elij · 02/03/2023 11:31

Don't blink if your current school is OK for another year and DS won't be going back to a post 7+ ghost town.

The 7+ offer you're sitting on might be at a school that doesn't do the 8+ but they will most likely invite you back next year for their occasional places process (they reach out to those they've offered to in our experience).

When doing the 8+ there are schools outside those 3 that you will most likely get into if you've already beat the 7+ hurdle in the past. Best to be patient IMO.

Original poster

user345292 · 02/03/2023 11:56

elij · 02/03/2023 11:31

Don't blink if your current school is OK for another year and DS won't be going back to a post 7+ ghost town.

When doing the 8+ there are schools outside those 3 that you will most likely get into if you've already beat the 7+ hurdle in the past. Best to be patient IMO.

@elij thank you. DS is in a pre-prep at present so we were wondering if he would be 'top of the 8+ pile' if he stays at the current school (as a lot of the main contenders will leave after 7+) and whether that makes any difference at all (in terms of the Head's role in 8+ process).

OP posts:

elij · 02/03/2023 12:01

The process has always felt objective to us and we don't personally believe the head's support plays that large a part.

Staying at current school is more about consistency for DS and not doing a year at a random school.

The biggest advantage your DS will have at 8+ is that he has been through the process before.

Original poster

user345292 · 02/03/2023 12:07

elij · 02/03/2023 12:01

The process has always felt objective to us and we don't personally believe the head's support plays that large a part.

Staying at current school is more about consistency for DS and not doing a year at a random school.

The biggest advantage your DS will have at 8+ is that he has been through the process before.

@elij yes thanks - we were wondering the same (whether he should stay at same school or not). most of his friends will leave so he will be upset either way.

looking at the 8+ papers, they are definitely very similar yes.

OP posts:

elij · 02/03/2023 12:14

This is my worry when I say "ghost town". Some pre-preps are especially depressing after 7+ (like Eaton square school) but some are OK like Garden House, Wetherby, Eaton House Manor, Thomas's etc.

But even the ghost town is better than the 1 random year at City, Latymer etc.

Original poster

user345292 · 02/03/2023 12:27

elij · 02/03/2023 12:14

This is my worry when I say "ghost town". Some pre-preps are especially depressing after 7+ (like Eaton square school) but some are OK like Garden House, Wetherby, Eaton House Manor, Thomas's etc.

But even the ghost town is better than the 1 random year at City, Latymer etc.

@elij issue is having been through the 7+ interview stages, there is no guarantee we feel that he will get in at 8+. his reasoning needs some work and also, he is very quiet at times so hard to say how he will do at group stages again next year. so if he stays on at new school after the process, we will have to be ok with it. we don't feel staying at current school till 11+ is an option at all as the class sizes are too too small. actually we would rather not get into the 11+ race at all.

OP posts:

elij · 02/03/2023 12:36

While it is possible to go through 8+ with no offers from WUS/SPJS/KCJS it's unlikely you won't get your safety option (including most likely the school you have an offer from now).

So you don't lose waiting just 1 year.

We are at WUS and still need to do the 11+. It isn't plane sailing after the 7+/8+.

Original poster

user345292 · 02/03/2023 12:48

elij · 02/03/2023 12:36

While it is possible to go through 8+ with no offers from WUS/SPJS/KCJS it's unlikely you won't get your safety option (including most likely the school you have an offer from now).

So you don't lose waiting just 1 year.

We are at WUS and still need to do the 11+. It isn't plane sailing after the 7+/8+.

@elij oh out of interest, do you have to prep extra for 11+ at WUS. are they graded on a normal curve. would really prefer to be done with entrance tests once 8+ is done. the 'new' school does not do 8+ incidentally.

OP posts:

elij · 02/03/2023 12:59

I feel you need to prep even if it's officially through school work and homework.

Being inside the school you get a lot more insight early on but it's still an 11+ exam. There really is no rest for the wicked when these cohorts are aiming for 9s at GCSE and A*s at A-Level.

As a random person on the internet I can say with confidence that schools offering at 7+ reach out to people who rejected them for occasional places next year (even without an official 8+ in take).

Most schools get occasional places even in your top 3. There is movement in these schools. I can't promise anything but you don't have to rush the move in my opinion.

Original poster

user345292 · 02/03/2023 13:12

elij · 02/03/2023 12:59

I feel you need to prep even if it's officially through school work and homework.

Being inside the school you get a lot more insight early on but it's still an 11+ exam. There really is no rest for the wicked when these cohorts are aiming for 9s at GCSE and A*s at A-Level.

As a random person on the internet I can say with confidence that schools offering at 7+ reach out to people who rejected them for occasional places next year (even without an official 8+ in take).

Most schools get occasional places even in your top 3. There is movement in these schools. I can't promise anything but you don't have to rush the move in my opinion.

@elij thanks a lot for sharing :) am new to this school system so still figuring out how to navigate. especially as sometimes think its purely driven by my own parental ambition to get into one of these top schools. DS is not so aware of rankings and A levels and 9/A* etc. I hope its the right time, effort investment.

OP posts:

SWL2022 · 03/03/2023 22:57

8+ is significantly more difficult than 7+, especially at SPJS & WUS. Not just a year ahead. It's good to be considering 8+, however not about 'getting in' to the 3 but more about being able to keep up. These schools are not for those who need further tuition to keep up. Look carefully at SPSs feedback, and consider only if asked to return for 8+.
The difference between the 3 and others is not as significant as many make it out to be. Can say with much confidence being a current Westminster parent, where own children have thrived, yet have seen others struggle with workload, etc.
Wouldn't read too much into the League Tables as you're better off looking at individual subject results at GCSE, A levels- & that'd be telling.
Re: prep for 11+/13+ surely you wouldn't want your child to be below average once the 11+ entrants join? The exams are a true test of ability and not something to dread. Not sure I'd be happy with my child dropping from top of year to middle after those trained for GCSE join- essentially the case with state school boys who have been tutored to death. Personally trusted the school, and they did a good job. Without the need for external tuition.

Original poster

user345292 · 04/03/2023 18:50

@SWL2022 thanks - you have made some great points and worth thinking about :)

OP posts:

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread