4+ assessments 2023

[Agirlcanhope2023]

Thought I’d set up a thread for those of us sitting our DS/DD for the 4+ in 2023 (for September 2024 start date). Anyone had any assessment day(s) yet?

I’d second the note on pastoral care at SHHS. Our family has been going through tough times - hospitalisations and absence of a parent etc, and they have been incredible in handling our last minute changes. I was worried about DD acting out etc as such a period of change but they do their safeguarding and looking after the whole family very seriously — even when DD didn’t have an offer or even made second round.

Very different response from NLCS with the same type of information.

@RR123RR another really insightful reply re pastoral care could you kindly give more info on NLCS? In the end did you secure a place at SHHS, as bit confused did SHHS still reach out to you even though you mention daughter didn't make 2nd round. Sorry if not reading your reply properly x

Hi there. We have offers from both places, and leaning towards SHHS for the pastoral care aspect.

My spouse was undergoing life saving treatment and was in hospital in January during the assessments. I had to email the schools to change the dates for the assessments v last minute.

SHHS called me and reassured me that they will have extra set of hands at drop off (just in case) and will let me know if my DD was acting withdrawn, acting out, anything they thought I should know about. No call as DD was fine it seems. This was before the first round - so shows me that they really care about the kids. Was unexpected in such an oversubscribed school.

NLCS had a perfunctory “we can rearrange on x date” response.

Gosh, so sorry to hear that. Such mixed responses.

Hi! Does anyone have information about the new SHHS head and the works that will be carried out at the Junior school?

I'm really glad at the most difficult time this was supported with such empathy. I hope things are much more settled now at home thank you for sharing your experience xxx

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If you search Camden Planning Applications you can see the plans for the Junior and Senior school. I haven’t looked in too much detail, but some school buildings are being demolished on Maresfield Gardens and some building works (not demolition) will be taking place at the Netherhall site.

Hi we just heard back from Kensington prep and recieved an offer ... anyone else accepting kem prep? @FulhamToddlerMum

@MatchaMama he got an offer too! I think I will attend the parents meeting and then will decide

Great , yes I'll be attending on Friday , all the best x

@Winchmoremum3 we have declined St Christopher’s yesterday, good luck with the wait list.

Honestly, if you’re an offer holder, I’m sure any questions on the works would be happily answered by the admissions team - there’s been internal comms on this and the school has a clear plan in place for the works and minimising disruption to the girls. New head of junior school not yet appointed.

Hi there - that’s not quite right if you don’t mind my saying. The state process assumes you will take the place, there isn’t an acceptance deadline or deposit or anything like that. You are allocated a place and then, if someone else notifies that they are taking up a private school place, the system looks to see if that school was anyone’s first choice who didn’t get it and offers to them. It’s a very fair system which prioritises SEN/ HEA and then distance from schools. So if someone taking a private school place is still allowing their preferences to go through the state system, they could be taking a preferred choice from someone else. So the best thing to do all round is let local authorities know and they can take people off the lists

@MatchaMama see you there :)

@Discoverdock Thank you! Hoping after some of these offer events there will be some movement!

"What happens after I receive an offer of a school place? A parent or carer must formally accept the offer by the given deadline. This is usually set through the local authority’s admissions portal or system. You’ll receive details of next steps with the offer. "

This website suggests otherwise. I don't think anyone should be pressured into releasing their state place asap. At the end of the day if your child doesn't start in sept then they can offer it to someone on the waiting list / who didn't get their first choice etc.

https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/03/30/primary-school-offer-day-2023-everything-you-need-to-know/

So apparently for state you have to accept the offer by April 30th (date might vary slightly for different areas), if you don't accept it, it automatically goes to someone on waiting list (anyone who didn't get 1st choice automatically goes on waiting list). If you do accept it and then decline it later in the year it still then gets offered to someone on waiting list.

After the end of summer term anyone who didn't get first choice has to fill in another form to stay on the waiting list.

So as long as you release it by end of summer term it will go to someone who put it first choice but didn't get offered a place.

88.57% of children got their first choice primary last year anyway!

Hi Everyone, we were also lucky to get places at all schools we’ve applied to (shhs, nlcs, highgate, channing). Just wanted to let you know that we’ve accepted shhs and released paces at other schools.

Sweetheart, you’re missing the point of this discussion! There is no penalty for taking up then releasing a state school place. Private schools ask for deposit and often first term payment to try to ensure people don’t take up places just to hold the luxury of a slow decision. No need to paste information from publicly available sources such as websites! Have another glass of wine!

If you’re not waiting on state results why comment hon?

@Lizzie5050
Because I don't think people should feel pressured to release their state school place asap. It will still be offered to someone on the waiting list whether you let them know in April or wait till summer.

And thought people should know there is in fact a deadline to accept a state place (and that you do definitely need to accept), incase people read your other comment and got the wrong info.

My DS has a place secured at a private school for sept, and we have also applied for state. Pretty sure he's going private but will keep the state option open a least for a few months.

Wrong again! If you let the LA know now that you don’t need a state school place, someone else will possibly get their first choice in April rather than at the next phase. Why unnecessarily cause another family anxiety and disruption who is in the state school process just because you can afford to. The entitlement you’re displaying is pretty shocking, even for mumsnet. You’re quite toxic, I’m off! Over and out!

The place will get offered to someone on the waiting list whether you let the LA know in April or later in the summer. Yes it will mean someone have to wait a little bit longer to find out.

It's not unnecessary and not something I would be doing just for the sake of it. You know nothing about our situation and why for us it will be better to wait a little longer before ultimately making the final decision.