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 don't think you could withdraw application now anyway (even if you wanted to / felt it was necessary), in all likelihood the LA would say at this point just wait till offer day and decline the place before the deadline at end of April. I know you're not allowed to change preferences etc.

If you don't get your first choice primary school then hopefully there'll be people dropping out/ moving away/ taking places at other schools/ or any other of the random life events that can mean plans change!

This is spot on. I hope we're all teaching our preschoolers greater compassion for others than hanging onto an extra place like this suggests!

After a series of rejections, my DS got into the WaitList at Hereward House and Arnold House. I am praying someone moves, so we have a chance now

This poster was suggesting that people should release state school offers right now otherwise someone else will be deprived of their first choice offer which

1. isn't even possible, at this point you'll need to wait till national offer day anyway and then either decline offer or just don't accept by the end of April deadline.

2. some people won't be able to make the decision between private and state until they have found out which state school they have gotten into.

And 3) if you decline/ don't accept by the end of April deadline the place will go to someone on the waitlist anyway!

DD has been waitlisted for our top two choices. Has anyone's status changed or received an update from the waitlist?

What I posted here was actually factually incorrect! Apologies. Turns out that most (maybe all?) schools do send out more offers than places. By how many will vary (sure each school has their own methodology). So basically means the waiting list only really kicks in post deadline if there are a sufficient number of rejections.

We are on a waiting list but putting the chance of movement now at very slim :(

We have been offered a place at NLCS, but are likely to decline it, primarily for financial reasons. The looming 20% additional tax if a new government comes in would make it too cost prohibitive for us. It's a little bit like being handed Willy Wonka's golden ticket, and then having to hand it back. 🎟️.
The reason for this post, is to offer a glimmer of hope for anyone on the waiting list.
I wish you all the best and good luck .🍀

@TenLittleToes have u asked NLCS how it would impact the fee? It's not necessary that u woill have to pay all of the 20% increase. They have ways to reclaim it eg through refurbishment etc. plz don't just decline unless uv had that conversation:(

i am on waitlist for NLCS and hoping there is movement and chance for offers to be made to those on waitlist as they have over offered. Really hoping there is some movement. Anyone else rejected NLCS??

Thinking to share an info that might be helpful for families in waiting list. I have a friend whose DC was in the waiting list of Highgate school 7+ last year. She sent an email to Highgate with attached certificates that her DC had received from sports and arts. Also mentioned that Highgate is their first choice and how well her DC match Highgate.

Highgate offered a place to her DC just before the deadline of accepting offer which means the school may move the waiting list earlier.

Her DC may be lucky because they have another sibling in Highgate already. But I think it's still worthy to try to email the school why do you think your DC should be offered a place.

Hello everyone,

After a final discussion with my DH we are going to accept Habs tomorrow and release the places at NLCS and SHHS, so that should free up some spots. I think once the offer holders' events conclude (tomorrow for NLCS and Monday for SHHS), there should be even more movement on the wait lists.

I hope there will be movement on the waitlist. I know a few people in our nursery got multiple offers (including Highgate, SHHS and NLCS) and will likely reject the ones they don’t want in the coming days.

Has anyone else already rejected St Christopher’s??

I know their event was last night. Would be nice for some good news before the weekend! But not holding my breath…maybe after the SHHS event on Monday.

Hello everyone,

Has anyone come out of the Waitlist lists? Or declined Saint Christopher’s or SHHS? Need a bit of hoot here…

We were on the Highgate reserve list and got an offer. Good luck, it's such a nervous wait isn't it!

Amazing! Very happy for you! I m keeping my fingers crossed for some good news

For anyone considering Habs they've just sent round a letter to offer the minibus service to offer holders (which currently goes through West Hampstead, Hampstead and HGS) and they're seeing if there's interest in expanding the service to other areas. Good news!

We have been offered a place at NLCS, but are likely to decline it, primarily for financial reasons. The looming 20% additional tax if a new government comes in would make it too cost prohibitive for us.

It's looking likely that if 20% vat is added it will be for new students joining not existing cohorts. Don't decline an amazing school because of this!

That;'s simply not true. If there is to be an increase it will be for all parents.

Have you got any more info on that? It’s not something I’d come across before.

Not true unfort. And even for those that offer paying a lump sum of terms in advance at a discount - pretty sure you will still be subjected to any government induced fee increases if/when they happen.

It's pledge by the Labour Party to impose 20% vat on schools fees and is expected to be in their manifesto when we have an election this year. You can Google any news story re this.

The labour shadow education minister admitted this week that she has never visited a private school in an official capacity.

Hopefully the whole 20% won't be added to fees though?

I read they will make up some of the extra by reducing community work / bursaries offered etc, and might be able to claim some of it back.

@TenLittleToes this is an amazing opportunity for your dd. Please don’t decline in anticipation of what may happen. Even Labour won’t know what they are doing! I don’t think the entire 20 percent will be passed on the parents but maybe 15 percent as the school can reclaim VAT. Anyway even if the full
amount is passed on it’s better to leave NLCS after you at certain that Labour are definitely ahead with it. It’s easier to leave NLCS and go to a state school than the other way around…

I don't have much, just a few posts on mumsnet discussing how the policy might be implemented because imposing it on all would have a significant unfair impact on those already committed!

Our DD currently goes into a well known independent schools nursery in NW London and they have sent us an indicative email as to what they think might happen should labour be in power. They obviously do have a disclaimer that it’s not confirmed but very likely if exit polls and party manifesto is to go by . They further also make a case re. Possible fee increases should the VAT proposals go ahead. I don’t think they say all of it would be transferred to parents but possibly a bigger hike than we normally see. Certainly worth factoring in if there are limited means! It will be more harmful for the child if you have to move them between years due to affordability. This is of course my perspective.