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?

My DD's group are all summer kids, surprisingly only 1 kid was crying in the beginning, all other kids were very calm. I don't expect too much as I couldn't manage to really study my kid for reading and writing. If assessment goes to acedemic part, very low chance for her to get a place.

(If it’s helpful to anyone, we didn’t do any ‘prep’ as we felt it’s better that ‘what they see is what they get’, but DD was happy going in/coming out, is relatively confident and chatty, can count, spell / write her name, attends a nursery for a few hours a day, attached to a school, and we live locally).

Same got a rejection from Highgate few minutes back , was surprised as my son had already cleared forest school assessment, can read write his name, knows his numbers, alphabets, shapes , is brilliant with Lego and blocks . Though he was very lost and unhappy when he came out. But really confused what else a 3 year old should know ?

I’m sorry to hear that @ShrutiG I suppose that they have to be tough when seeing so many little ones (the letter said 450). I think there’s no avoiding the harsh reality of the process sadly. I thought DD was a sure thing as she’s bright and a good listener too, but obviously didn’t hit the mark in some area / messed up her puzzle / mis-counted etc, and I guess that’s enough for a ‘no’ when they have to see so many. It’s tough! Extra large glass of wine for me tonight 😂We’re also mid 7+ with my DS which is hellish! Honestly I don’t know how I’ve let myself get into this mess / fall into this trap 🤣 ! X

I’d almost have preferred being knocked-out at the ‘lottery’ stage! Way less personal!

True that, we can't expect lil ones to be perfect . A small miss in these kind of situations can lead to a No, I need to prepare him for Habs now, had not done any preparation for Highgate as I was sure that first round is a sure shot , but I guess preparation is required.

Can't agree more , somehow not able to digest that even first round was not clear, plus I am clueless what to prepare him for. He is confident enough, can read and write and spell his name. Knows counting and alphabets, basic drawing. Very good with Lego and stuff .

My main worry is what should I do to prepare him for next school.

I think it’s hard to know how best to prepare. We didn’t look into Hab’s so I don’t have anything to offer in the way of help. If it’s any consolation, I believe Highgate have around 60 places available. I’d guess that around 1/3 go to siblings (all siblings are guaranteed a second round assessment). That means around 40 places available to ‘outsiders’, of which roughly half boys/half girls. So super low chance of being one of those final approx. 20 from 450. This is just guesswork, but even being called back to the second round (I’d guess they’d call back maximum 150), chances are very low in reality.

Hi all, I'm sorry to hear that your little ones didn't get get through I would emphasise though that these assessments don't determine if they're smart enough. Your little one could be the most intelligent perfect little child but that didn't necessarily translate during the assessment or the assessors just didn't pick it up. It is also not a reflection of how well they've been prepped or your parenting styles. Tbh I've been thinking of applying for Highgate next year for my little one but I've decided I'm definitely not going to anymore as I think they're quite ruthless in their assessments which I despise. Plus I've heard too much about their complaints of sexual abuse which has definitely really put me off. I think whichever school your little ones end up going to, it will hopefully be the perfect fit for them!

I don't think it's a test as such. They just play with a teacher and do some games all together while being observed. My little one had a great time and came back covered in sand. If they have more applications than places how else are they meant to decide?

If it's a school that requires a lot of prep before the 4+ I assume it will be like that all the way through (in terms of being a bit pushy / requiring lots of parental input) so maybe they are looking for the right fit in terms not only child but parents? I personally am not that type of mum so it wouldn't be for me.

I feel that for older kids whose birthday is in winter, it's more competitive and harder test than summer kids definitely.

My first daughter whose birthday is in November went through NLCS, Channing, habs last year. NLCS and habs required reading and writing nearly reception level. The teacher will say a sentence to see how well the kids can write. Sentence is like "I have a cat". Even my daughter now in reception she can't really write much. But I know some of kids they can write really well, maybe they went to a nursery that teaches a lot or parents teach a lot at home.

Channing doesn't have any test related to academy. More fun playing. My daughter was in waiting list in Channing but didn't get place in the end part of the reason may be we live too far from Highgate area.

Now we are waiting for the assessment for my second daughter. TBH, with the experience of my first one, I don't really expect much to get place, too many factors, not a fun game for parents 😓

@YellowSubmarine994 my two kids are at a selective private school. I have to say I agree with what you are saying. Unfortunately.

No habs don't.

Habs boys and girls are different. Habs girls second round has the parents meeting which is the only school we had.

I don't know exactly what habs boy assess. but my daughter's one classmate from nursery got place in habs boy and the mom said they don't have the parents meeting.

My daughter went to the second round of habs girl but came out very upset. I know what they assess from a mom who has 2 daughters in habs girls and one was at the same time with my DD last year. They tested the reading and writing at second round. They may expect kids do it perfectly, but it's a test, those who did better get places I guess.

They may not expect kids do perfectly. Wrong type

Hey , I have just seen this thread , and I am also going through the 4+ assesments currently for 2024 entry for dd . We did Highgate also and the rest are now in January.
Good luck to everyone

It feels like a roll of the dice, doesn’t it. Some of the numbers are crazy in terms of applicants to places. Sorry to those who didn’t get the news they were hoping for yesterday. Hope you have some other options which will work out for the best. Does anyone know: what is the difference between the first and second rounds of these assessments - do they get harder if you go through to the next round?

From the experience of my first daughter last year, NLcs and habs girls are more academic the second round. Channing both rounds are fun play, didn't see much difference of the 2 rounds. My daughter wasn't chosen for the first round for highgate. so I am not sure about Highgate.

Thank you @CiciZhang for the info, my DD also didnt get 1st round of highgate , 1st rejection , next up is Habs girls. do they expect reading in the first round , also any tips on how to teach a 3 year old to read sentences / activities, her nursery are teaching them anima phonics.

We did not apply to many schools and I am in lot of stress after Highgate as we did not opt for Forest school and now only Habs is left . So literally it's our last chance. If anyone can guide me what can so prepare my som for Habs , it will be a big help. I am totally clueless right now and this Highgate rejection has really hit me hard.

The first round of habs girls is fun play, DD said she was asked to draw a flower, used scissors, teacher read a story. She didn't say too much.

For winter kids and summer kids, the assessments of 2nd round are different, winter kids (September to January) will be expected to know much more than summer kids. My DD is a winter kid. She learned a little reading and writing from her nursery like her name, basic sound of most letters. But we didn't manage to study her with more reading and writing. Second round of Habs was 1 on 1 assessment, the teacher asked her to write her name and some words. I know she couldn't do the writing, so I can understand that why she got so upset when she came out in 25 mins instead of usually 50 mins. She told me very little and didn't want to mention it anymore. I think maybe the second round was a bit stressful or maybe a bit bad luck with a too strict teacher. Second round there will be parent meeting at the same time, they will ask you to talk about your DD.

I am not quite sure of Habs boys, from the mom of my DD's classmate who got the place at Habs boys last year said Habs boys both rounds are fun play and they don't have parent meeting.

I think this fun play assessment for kids is more up to luck than who the kids really are. You can't really predict or expect too much if you don't have connections to schools like siblings, parents school etc..

My experience is , at the day of assessment, try to make your kids happy and relaxed. For the 2 schools that my kid passed the first round, she was super happy that day, she went in with big smile and come out jumped to me. On those rounds that she failed, she was a bit grumpy already before it started. I feel sorry that I may have passed my anxiety to her and I couldn't managed to make her happier.

There are many less selective but really good schools, so don't worry too much and TBH you can't really do much on the assessment at 4+😅. Maybe it's better just help your kids to enjoy the assessments.

I am actually very very stressed now , If someone can help me with some good prep schools in North West London where can I still apply , I would again try our luck at 7+ . Though we still have Habs left but not getting selected even in first round of Highgate doesn't leave me much hope . When ever I try to ask my son what did they ask him in assessment , he tells me they did not ask him anything so really confused and stressed.