LEH/ City/ Bute competitiveness

[achiswickmum]

We are considering a GDST for our girl at 4+ only because I am terrified of 7+ (would want to avoid 11+). Please can people share their thinking of whether it is worth trying for 7+ for those above schools - how competitive are they in reality? We would tutor and get help. What personality girls do they accept? (DD is rather quite and not the type to speak up necessarily. Great with numbers). Any advice - am a very worried mum!

Surely your little one is only young? It’s really too early to say how bright they are or their personality at all? We all think we want to avoid exams but at 3 it’s impossible to tell what school suits best (and often at 7 as well). Saying you’ll tutor now when they are so young isn’t perhaps the best thing and perhaps dealing with the uncertainty that you won’t know how they will be in a few years and will decide then might be uncomfortable but helpful? I say this as someone who can’t deal with uncertainty 😉.

fwiw my daughter is at leh. I’d say bute is more competitive but I’m not sure on city I’m afraid x

@Swansong124 thanks for replying. (I meant tutor when the time comes in 2 years, not now!! Sorry for the misunderstanding. But the point overall being that I understand from other threads that tutoring can help.) LEH would be our hero school - may I ask if you know the number of children that apply Vs get through? And what sort of prep did you guys do? Thank you v v much xx

LEH juniors is fine if your dd is bright and confident. LEH seniors takes a larger selection of personalities and is an easier entry point than the junior school. I would focus on getting a place at Kew College and they will guide you through the process, pre-prep and prep school years are wonderful for your dd and you want her to enjoy them. As I've said before you have the falling birth rate in your favour and the decline in take up of pre-prep school places in SW London at the moment. By the time your dd is 11 intake into private secondary schools will have a large % from the state sector (esp if there is a labour govt) so there is nothing to fear about 11plus etc.

@redrobin75 that is such a kind and thought through reply. I really appreciate it. I am not from England and it sends me into a panic - to think about the exams :) your response is exactly what I needed xx

@achiswickmum , glad to be of help, I'm not a parent at Kew college but know lots of parents and know they will guide you and your dd through the whole process and find the right secondary school for your dd plus she will have 7 happy years at a fantastic school.

GDST, does not prep so you will need to do a lot of those worksheets with DC for 7+. Where are you located? The journey time and play dates at 7+ plus 4+ needs to be factored into your plan.
City, friends had kids there for 7+ and 11+, they seem happy.