Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
MatchaMama · 20/12/2023 19:54

Aww well done you , I head from a friend that habs boys assesment was a lot of fun , we have NLCS in Jan, (didn't apply to habs ) . Did you do anything extra for the run up to habs that you think might of helped? I'm doing lots of drawing with my DD ATM Xmas trees , faires , princesses but we go off on holiday soon so looking forward to some time off

ShrutiG · 20/12/2023 19:58

Not really only thing we did different was not to annoy him at all , we let him do whatever he wanted and told him if he does not tell what Teachers ask him , they won't call him again , so I guess he was more chatty this time.

KimchiLaLa · 21/12/2023 15:22

Can I suggest you don't tell your kids "they won't be called back unless you answer questions"?!

Bertie1812 · 21/12/2023 18:39

This!! My 3 year old has no idea what’s going on, he is just going for play dates to meet some other teachers

Razzmata · 21/12/2023 23:01

@mumstress91 can u please share in detail what games, books, topics to talk about etc? Especially name of the games please

icanlovemebetter · 27/12/2023 23:15

Just found this chat thread. My DS will turn 3 in Feb 2024. Sorry not done my education in UK and fairly new to the system.

So going by that, will he be eligible for 4+ in 2025? Am I late or too early?

Razzmata · 28/12/2023 08:02

Ur fine, not late

Tiredmumofthreekids · 28/12/2023 10:03

icanlovemebetter · 27/12/2023 23:15

Just found this chat thread. My DS will turn 3 in Feb 2024. Sorry not done my education in UK and fairly new to the system.

So going by that, will he be eligible for 4+ in 2025? Am I late or too early?

you are not late, the best way to check is to go to the individual web page of the school you want to apply and click on 4+ registration page. this contains all the info about birthdays and respective application timeframes

icanlovemebetter · 28/12/2023 14:34

Thanks @Tiredmumofthreekids

preppingforlife · 28/12/2023 23:14

icanlovemebetter · 27/12/2023 23:15

Just found this chat thread. My DS will turn 3 in Feb 2024. Sorry not done my education in UK and fairly new to the system.

So going by that, will he be eligible for 4+ in 2025? Am I late or too early?

Some schools you're too late. Others you need to be on it quick but totally doable

Labradoodlie · 29/12/2023 07:48

preppingforlife · 28/12/2023 23:14

Some schools you're too late. Others you need to be on it quick but totally doable

Show quote history

Not too late at all - PPs son won’t be sitting 4+ until next year. Nowhere requires registration that far in advance.

preppingforlife · 29/12/2023 12:00

Actually lots of places to do, particularly in north London. For many the cutoff is one year from birth

Tiredmumofthreekids · 29/12/2023 12:36

preppingforlife · 29/12/2023 12:00

Actually lots of places to do, particularly in north London. For many the cutoff is one year from birth

The majority of academically selective schools have application windows a few months before the exam, indeed there are very few selective ones (like Hall in NW3) that indeed require registration from birth. The other schools (preps and prep-preps ) require registration from birth but in reality, people just register for a few and at the end, they just need to pick one, so a lot of places get freed up right before the reception in September (particularly after state/selective indie ones confirm offers) also a lot changed in a few years since registration: people move/have a change in circumstances etc. Also, there is a falling birth trend post Covid so many schools struggle to fill the numbers , so I wouldnt worry about the registration from birth. We got offers for our DCs from schools like Arnold House, Trever Roberts Sarum Hall despite not registering kids from birth

Tiredmumofthreekids · 29/12/2023 12:40

Saying all this you need to honor the registration timeframes for selective schools like SH, UCS, HAbs, Highgate etc. and apply on time, they wont accept any applications outside the stated deadlines, as they are very much in demand (some like Highgate even run a ballot just to get to the exam stage due to a high number of applicants)

icanlovemebetter · 29/12/2023 17:17

Tiredmumofthreekids · 29/12/2023 12:40

Saying all this you need to honor the registration timeframes for selective schools like SH, UCS, HAbs, Highgate etc. and apply on time, they wont accept any applications outside the stated deadlines, as they are very much in demand (some like Highgate even run a ballot just to get to the exam stage due to a high number of applicants)

The schools you've mentioned are more on the west side. I liked Chigwell and I have read an old thread on about whether it's academic or just big grounds. And I really liked both aspects of it.

Any other suggestions on the eastern side? I can google it and I have read a few names on the east side (where I am) but are there any that this group suggests ? Thanks

Mummymummy89 · 31/12/2023 17:44

Hi all, I posted earlier about only applying to one school and bringing my baby along. Thank you for your advice.

My dd's assessment is this coming week - quick question, what have you been sending your kids in? Dd lives in tracksuit sets and generally refuses to wear anything else... but they are clean and in neutral dark colours, could almost be a preschool uniform. This would be ok right?

Dh and I will be smart casual for the parent interview bit (I'm recently postpartum so I only have one pair of trousers that fit which are dark jeans but I'll wear a smart top).

I know in the grand scheme of things, what we wear is not dreadfully important...! But it's just one other thing to think about

preppingforlife · 01/01/2024 09:06

Mummymummy89 · 31/12/2023 17:44

Hi all, I posted earlier about only applying to one school and bringing my baby along. Thank you for your advice.

My dd's assessment is this coming week - quick question, what have you been sending your kids in? Dd lives in tracksuit sets and generally refuses to wear anything else... but they are clean and in neutral dark colours, could almost be a preschool uniform. This would be ok right?

Dh and I will be smart casual for the parent interview bit (I'm recently postpartum so I only have one pair of trousers that fit which are dark jeans but I'll wear a smart top).

I know in the grand scheme of things, what we wear is not dreadfully important...! But it's just one other thing to think about

Dc should wear whatever they're comfortable in! If that's trackies, well, that's trackies :)

Smart casual is good for parents.

Please don't overthink this!

Mummymummy89 · 01/01/2024 09:10

preppingforlife · 01/01/2024 09:06

Dc should wear whatever they're comfortable in! If that's trackies, well, that's trackies :)

Smart casual is good for parents.

Please don't overthink this!

Show quote history

Please don't overthink this!

@preppingforlife thank you, indeed!!

I'm making excuses but it's my (usually very chilled) dh who is getting slightly worried about everything because we've only applied to the one school. He went to excellent comprehensive schools himself but there aren't quite the same round here (too many good independents in the area) and so he's just a bit bewildered by it all. Never thought I'd hear him say the words "can you go ask mumsnet!" LOL

I'll report back how it goes afterwards, I find it so useful when others do that. Dd is very chatty so she will probably tell us everything they get her to do. Ours is probably one of the later ones but next years' mums might read this thread!

preppingforlife · 01/01/2024 23:22

Good luck!! Where are you trying for?

Mummymummy89 · 02/01/2024 01:26

I'm shy of saying where because it's a small school and we will stand out like a sore thumb with the baby so anyone will know it's me haha, should have name changed. It's one of the slightly less competitive girls schools in London xx

ShrutiG · 02/01/2024 13:34

HI , Any tips for Habs second round boys please ? Also they asked for Parents meet and Greet , any idea what they ask in that ?

Canadawaterchick82 · 02/01/2024 22:32

Hey there parents :) is anyone here who accepted St Paul’s Cathedral School for Sept 2024 start, 4 years (prep) We accepted last month and would love to buddy / talk to any new joiners too this year. My DS will be going…

NW3andNW5 · 03/01/2024 22:13

We’ve been through a few assessments in NW London and they all sound like mega play dates! Waiting for SHHS 4+ second round this month but a neighbour told me there will be lots of building work at a nearby hotel so trying to work out whether it’s best to delay to 7+ and avoid all that! I don’t really understand how they assess but agree with lots of the posts that it’s about playing with others and following instructions…good luck everyone!

Mummymummy89 · 07/01/2024 20:41

My dd got her offer at the school we applied for, hooray!

She was a bit vague about what she did but basically...

We arrived and we went into a room with toys, books, tea and coffee. Very soon a teacher came and took her away. We'd prepared her that this would happen so she looked nervous but went fine.

While she was away we (dh and I) got led away for a parent interview where they asked us about her interests and favourite activities, and what we are looking for from her schooling. It was maybe 20 mins but a nice casual friendly sort of chat, we enjoyed it.

She said she was asked to write her name (she's not very good at doing this yet, summer baby) and something like sorting out some tiles with numbers on, into number order (I think - might have been letters) - again she probably gave this a brave attempt but not accurately! She was also allocated a partner, a girl she'd never met, to play a round of hide and seek with, which I think she'll have done willingly. I asked dd if she did the hiding or the seeking and she said "Both! We took turns!" And she was able to tell me the other girl's name, so it sounds like she did OK on that.

We are so happy she got the offer. Hope this description helps anyone preparing for theirs.

Mummymummy89 · 07/01/2024 20:42

Ps she said they also asked her what her favourite activity is, and she gave the same answer that dh and I gave when we got asked the same question - whew dunno if that's part of the test lol! Corroboration!