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?

Sorry it is so stressful, I don’t know if you can ask for any feedback from Highgate? Anecdotally, I know friends who have sat their children for multiple schools of a similar type and had a mixture of acceptances and rejections eg it’s not a given that if he didn’t get Highgate he def won’t get Habs? Sometimes it can just depend on their mood on the day, or whether the activity takes their interest! Plus luck.

@ShrutiG I would personally apply for radlett prep at this stage if it is still possible. I would not put all Ammi eggs into habs even though of course a place is a possibility but you need to as you’ve said have a back up. Really sorry it’s so stressful

@mumoftwo86 Thank you so much for, that really helps. We will definitely try for this school. I am currently in east London so don't know about much schools in that area but Radlett looks the kind of school I was searching for, thanks once again.

Why are you applying for schools in north London if you're based east?

We will be moving to North and there are no good schools nearby where we live.

@ShrutiG just a thought, I wonder if Highgate saw that you aren’t local and discounted for that reason? It’s only a thought, but it might not necessarily be anything your son did/didn’t do on the day. Obviously impossible the whole selection criteria but proximity could play a part as traffic / parking in Highgate is notoriously bad! It might be worth you putting in a call to the next school, prior to the assessment, to let them know that you are in the process of relocating to the area? Wishing you the best with it all.

*impossible to know

@ShrutiG @Ellytheephant I agree with her location could be a factor , we live in central London ( bit have a place in at Johns wood also) and I believe location can play a factor when choosing . Radlett prep is a good idea to apply if you still can as you always need a back up .

Hi all! I just found this thread and so glad I did as I’m also feeling very anxious about these assessments. We just did SHHS first round last week, has anyone heard back from SHHS? Best of luck to everyone waiting..

I feel sorry for Radlett prep it always gets mentioned as a back up!

I know nothing about it but surely it's not that bad. Maybe it's even better than some of the more popular schools

Thanks all for the information. Does anyone know is it possible to change the assessment time? My DD's assessment in Habs Girls is scheduled in 2:15pm, which is her nap time. Or do you have any idea on how to make the kids active in their usual sleeping time?

By the way, she is an late August baby. I am not sure whether they make the groups kby age.

Contact the school and ask if they can accommodate the change of time, but generally 3+ years old should be able to cope one day if they skip the nap.
and yes schools usually assess the children by age groups, some break down by the seasons others just have 2 groups (Autumn/winter borns and then Spring/Summer borns)

I wouldn't stress out much, 4+ assessments are quite a random one, as one cant really prep much, and the abilities vary a lot at this stage, some will write in sentences, and others barely speak at this stage. Habs and Highate (in particular, as its the only competitive co-ed all-through school in the area) are very competitive, its a pure luck and they have other factors to consider when they choose whom to take on the second tour. where exactly are you moving in North London?

Thank you! If the assesment groups are based on age, I do not want to contact Habs to change, because I do not want her to be mixed in an older group.

We applied for three schools in NW london, and DD has already got rejected by Holland House. I asked her what she has done in the Holland House test, she said playing Lego and reading Phonix.

We still have Habs and NLCS in the next two months. But honestly speaking, I do not put much hope on her 4+. She is so easy to be annoyed or get upset😅

@Ilikepinacoladass , i mention it as a back up 1. it accepts applications much later (so its a matter of choice!), and 2. its the best of the prep schools in my opinion! But definitely not a back up in general! I have one at RP (chosen against offers for lots of other schools, as the right fit!) and one at Habs!

@HelloYoyo , Holland House is also a very academic prep school... its luck sometimes on the day honestly. I have friends whose children have got in to NLCS who are academic, others who are not, winter kids, august kids, the lot. They know what they are looking for (i believe they also use some sort of Psych means testing), that's why I always say have something mid-tier in your sights that you love or a excellent Prep like Manor Lodge or Radlett Prep (applying to two preps and to through schools extends your chances)

Wishing you the best in the 'lottery'. x

@mumoftwo86
That's good to hear! I've heard it mentioned a few times as a back up, which seemed a bit mean haha

@HelloYoyo ours is also the same time (August baby). So I'm assuming they group them together for the assessments .

What was the assessment like?

@Tiredmumofthreekids what other factors do Habs and Highgate use?

Does anyone know how the second rounds in Highgate and South Hampstead differ from round 1? What is tested in these seond rounds? Am puzzled why these second rounds are needed to be honest as they can test everything in 1 round.

Yes, we are doing Alleyn's in January. No plans to prep on principle.

Anyone did the St Paul's Cathedral assessment this November? My son joined, we haven't heard back yet. They will communicate the outcome very soon, well before the January assessments for the NW London schools. I was wondering how are parents managing a yes from St Paul's Cathedral in Nov / Dec, if the preference if for a NW school that only does assessments in January?