8+ reference question

user9991 · 2023-09-18T12:11:30+00:00

hi, my DC has joined a new school but we want to do 8+ where the prospective schools need contact info for new school. will this be a problem if DC does not succeed in examinations and stays at current school. thank you.

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Sb123455 · 18/09/2023 16:53

Has he joined in year 3? If it were me I would be open with the new school. From my experience heads find it very rude to receive a reference request when they haven’t heard the child may be moving elsewhere. Awkward but we have fessed up in a similar position and the response was very understanding.

Original poster

user9991 · 18/09/2023 21:44

@Sb123455 yes correct he just joined - thanks.

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Sb123455 · 18/09/2023 22:05

We had to do similar last year - my son joined in year 2 and a few weeks in we had to explain why he’d be trying for another school. The head said she lost count of the number of references that came in over the years where parents hadn’t let her know. It did open up a really helpful conversation for us in terms of what may be best suited to our son etc but perhaps we were just lucky!

Original poster

user9991 · 18/09/2023 22:14

Sb123455 · 18/09/2023 22:05

We had to do similar last year - my son joined in year 2 and a few weeks in we had to explain why he’d be trying for another school. The head said she lost count of the number of references that came in over the years where parents hadn’t let her know. It did open up a really helpful conversation for us in terms of what may be best suited to our son etc but perhaps we were just lucky!

thanks.

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Original poster

user9991 · 18/09/2023 23:03

@Sb123455 sorry a silly question. the school will not kick DC out for trying 8+, correct? am feeling a bit paranoid they will get upset and make a fuss.

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Sb123455 · 19/09/2023 13:05

I imagine they’re not able to, no and I can’t imagine them trying to make him leave. However I bet no one likes people leaving anyway! So having an open conversation so they can understand your thinking now will be helpful to create a good relationship with them. Where is he trying to 8+?

Original poster

user9991 · 19/09/2023 17:14

@Sb123455 he will try for SPJ only

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Tiredmumofthreekids · 20/09/2023 12:05

user9991 · 18/09/2023 23:03

@Sb123455 sorry a silly question. the school will not kick DC out for trying 8+, correct? am feeling a bit paranoid they will get upset and make a fuss.

is there an official policy not to hold the place if a pupil sits an exam elsewhere? its very unlikely and the private schools are used to the fact that pupils sit exams at 7+/8+ and other formal entries.

Original poster

user9991 · 20/09/2023 12:13

thank you

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redrobin75 · 21/09/2023 08:01

@user9991 , if you have chosen a prep for your ds with SPJ in view at 8plus or later on 13 plus for St Paul's I'm sure your ds won't be the only pupil sitting the exam and the prep may be able to advise you on whether he is ready. Also if he took the 7plus and didn't get a place but was asked to sit again at 8 you could mention that in your email to the school.

Original poster

user9991 · 21/09/2023 19:09

redrobin75 · 21/09/2023 08:01

@user9991 , if you have chosen a prep for your ds with SPJ in view at 8plus or later on 13 plus for St Paul's I'm sure your ds won't be the only pupil sitting the exam and the prep may be able to advise you on whether he is ready. Also if he took the 7plus and didn't get a place but was asked to sit again at 8 you could mention that in your email to the school.

@redrobin75 it is not a prep. the school is up until 18 etcetra.

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tennissquare · 21/09/2023 20:42

@user9991 , are you getting him tutored for the 8plus and did he sit some 7plus exams so knows what to expect? It's such a tricky exam with few places as you know.

Original poster

user9991 · 21/09/2023 21:49

no he didnt do 7+ but we have done mocks

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