Insight / level of prep to get into FH

[FulhamToddlerMum]

Dear mums, any advice on assessment to FH? We go to a top nursery and can count and know few letters, shapes, etc. But then there are loads of other girls same level. Any advice? Thanks in advance!

FHS?
Testing future performance at 4 is an inexact science so just focus on your dd being relaxed and excited for the day so she’s attentive and not anxious- then she’ll do her best.
it’s a lovely school with great teachers but the parents are rather ‘extra’- very rich and competitive. Where else are you looking?

Probably Falkner House rather than Francis Holland

Yes falkner…

Aha! In which case no specific knowledge of that school but my advice to prep her is to ensure she’s relaxed not anxious at this stage. Any school will pick an engaged and interested child over one who is ‘advanced’ but bursts into tears at the stress of it all. 4 is very young…

The children who have gone to Falkner House school from the nursery I know have all been the top of their class academic-wise. So can read sentences, read high frequency words without sounding out, blend less common words, write their own name, estimate more/ less without having to count, simple addition, identify 2d and 3d shapes etc.

Also, good at waiting their turn, hand up, not shouting out. Quieter than the ones who go to Glendower.

But don’t know it this is representative of the whole school, or just the children I know who have got in!

FH selects both children AND parents.
There is a range - of course. But the preference is for bright kids of well educated and/or well established parents.

If you go on a school tour - bring your H and make sure he tries to impress HM.
If you speak a foreign language at home - don’t advertise it as they believe it’s better to focus on English.
If your girl is bright but stubborn - try to bribe her in advance as they prefer easier-to-teach bright kids.

Mostly - don’t stress - and don’t think one school would make or bread your DD education/life. Apply to other academic/happy schools in the area. Sign up for Bute 7+, no reason not to.
At 4+ it all seems very stressful and important - but its just a start of marathon.

Kids from FH, Glendower, Thomas’s, Pembridge, etc - end up in various secondaries. No one primary school is The One.