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Original poster

4+ assessments 2023

497 replies

Agirlcanhope2023 · 08/11/2023 19:43

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?

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tiktokontheclock · 09/02/2024 13:12

preppingforlife how old is your DS? Wondering how old is worth it to really get the most out of a feeder nursery.

Lemoonada · 09/02/2024 13:14

@preppingforlife DS is about 1.5 years old now, doesn't go to any sort of setting. I would happily send him 5 days a week for short mornings in January but I don't think it quite works like that...

preppingforlife · 09/02/2024 19:22

Lemoonada · 09/02/2024 13:14

@preppingforlife DS is about 1.5 years old now, doesn't go to any sort of setting. I would happily send him 5 days a week for short mornings in January but I don't think it quite works like that...

Not for Manor House no

preppingforlife · 09/02/2024 19:22

tiktokontheclock · 09/02/2024 13:12

preppingforlife how old is your DS? Wondering how old is worth it to really get the most out of a feeder nursery.

I'd say 18montjs plus seems the sweet spot depending on dob

Mum4life5 · 15/03/2024 22:16

can anyone help me in comparing STAHS & St Helens for my dd.? Any views on the two and what is the admission process like?

mamasrainbow · 13/04/2024 09:46

Padina82 · 07/02/2024 15:56

For anyone on the WL to enter Hereward House or Arnold House (like our DS) - it looks like getting into Hereward House is a lot harder. Unlike Arnold House's WL where the boys are ranked based on their assessment, Hereward will look for a WL boy with a particular personality and birthday that will balance their class. But fingers crossed we are hoping either school for our DS

Hi there. Just wondering if you did get any offer from Arnold or Hereward house in the end? Anything could still happen before September!

drmumoftwo · 14/04/2024 12:45

I spoke to the head of admissions from Hereward house and they will only give out their offers in January

Padina82 · 18/04/2024 09:52

@mamasrainbow nothing yet from Hereward House. We were on the waitlist for Arnold House and DS went for a play date/assessment. But he didn't get in. We got told that he was quite shy and didn't engage with the other boys and therefore may not be ready for their reception class. Was depressed hearing this, but that's their admission policy and not much we can do about it. But I feel bad for my DS now, he is only 4yo and I pushed him to sit in an unfamiliar place for 2 hours with people he didn't know.

mamasrainbow · 18/04/2024 10:07

Padina82 · 18/04/2024 09:52

@mamasrainbow nothing yet from Hereward House. We were on the waitlist for Arnold House and DS went for a play date/assessment. But he didn't get in. We got told that he was quite shy and didn't engage with the other boys and therefore may not be ready for their reception class. Was depressed hearing this, but that's their admission policy and not much we can do about it. But I feel bad for my DS now, he is only 4yo and I pushed him to sit in an unfamiliar place for 2 hours with people he didn't know.

Hi, thank you for replying to my post. I am very sorry to hear the whole process is so daunting and I think boys being 'shy' in unfamiliar environment however shows his awareness of new environment and more observant. In the end, you do not want to end up with all outgoing boys in the school.

I am surprised for the waitlist children they ask them to go in again for a second round of playdate. They should have ranked the boys in the 1st playdate.

Are you looking at alternative schools in the area

Princesscounsuelabananahammock · 18/04/2024 11:37

Bloody hell this post is bonkers. I really feel sorry for all the kids who are being so heavily scrutinised when they're basically babies. It's horrific. There's no school so special that I'd be prepared for my child to be judged so pompously in order for them to get in. I actually feel angry that this is even a thing

Padina82 · 18/04/2024 11:55

Thank you @mamasrainbow @Princesscounsuelabananahammock we have a place in a good state school and we are also glad that DS is not going to a school where all the boys are outgoing. I am sure Arnold House, The Hall, etc are excellent schools - but our little boy is initially shy in new surroundings and may not enjoy himself in that setting.
But the most important think is that we learnt our lesson in this admissions process - look out for the well-being of our DS, instead of pushing him into doing things that would make us proud.

mamasrainbow · 18/04/2024 21:43

Padina82 · 18/04/2024 11:55

Thank you @mamasrainbow @Princesscounsuelabananahammock we have a place in a good state school and we are also glad that DS is not going to a school where all the boys are outgoing. I am sure Arnold House, The Hall, etc are excellent schools - but our little boy is initially shy in new surroundings and may not enjoy himself in that setting.
But the most important think is that we learnt our lesson in this admissions process - look out for the well-being of our DS, instead of pushing him into doing things that would make us proud.

that's right. It is more about the right fit. Good luck to him at the new school this September!

drmumoftwo · 24/06/2024 17:15

Hi, has anyone applied/got into manor lodge? I have a few questions please Smile

nlnd · 25/06/2024 17:29

We turned down the private school we applied to, which is really selective and often mentioned in this thread, for financial reasons. We could afford it but one of our jobs is new, not particularly secure and it felt like too big a risk. It has been 4 months and I’m still gutted. DC has a place in an outstanding state school but I worry that the door we closed will never reopen. Can anyone else relate?

Ncroses · 26/06/2024 09:22

@nlnd we are the opposite to you - we accepted a super selective school also mentioned frequently here but worry about the fees. I think you are in a good position to get back in if your circumstances change in the future.

also enrolment has dropped alot - we heard at a very highly selective boys school, after all acceptances there were still vacancies left so they called back some boys to do a further assessment- you definitely aren’t the only one to not accept

nlnd · 26/06/2024 13:40

Ncroses · 26/06/2024 09:22

@nlnd we are the opposite to you - we accepted a super selective school also mentioned frequently here but worry about the fees. I think you are in a good position to get back in if your circumstances change in the future.

also enrolment has dropped alot - we heard at a very highly selective boys school, after all acceptances there were still vacancies left so they called back some boys to do a further assessment- you definitely aren’t the only one to not accept

Thank you for this kind message! I do hope to enrol him in the school we turned down in the future.

rainbowmama0 · 26/06/2024 23:27

Ncroses · 26/06/2024 09:22

@nlnd we are the opposite to you - we accepted a super selective school also mentioned frequently here but worry about the fees. I think you are in a good position to get back in if your circumstances change in the future.

also enrolment has dropped alot - we heard at a very highly selective boys school, after all acceptances there were still vacancies left so they called back some boys to do a further assessment- you definitely aren’t the only one to not accept

In north london if I May ask this school you are referring to

tps123 · 22/09/2024 16:19

Hi lovely people who have gone through 4 plus assessments, any tips you can share for NLCS or Habs girls school assessment?! Much appreciated

drmumoftwo · 19/10/2024 23:45

Hi, did anyone go for the manor lodge assessment day?

mostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 11/05/2025 18:37

Thought I'd message on here now our DSs and DDs have almost finished Reception! Not sure if any posters are still following the thread but if so thought it might be nice to share thoughts? Lots of very well respected schools on the thread, how has everyone found them? How has the first year been?

Hoping everyone is well, this thread was quite the comfort for me whilst navigating the assessment process so thank you all for your contributions Flowers

hopefulmum16 · 17/02/2026 19:48

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