Wetherby School for Summer Born Child?

[AmericanUkDad]

Hi, we are trying to decide between Wetherby School (Notting Hill) & Chepstow House for our July born DS. Both me and my DW had academic childhoods, and we wanted the same for our DS. We know that Wetherby's has a great academic reputation (and exit results) , but we were worried that our DS would be at a (relative) disadvantage having been born in July.

On the one hand, we'd love to see him in a top academic school, to see what his potential is.

On the other hand, if realistically summer boys are unlikely to go to St Pauls / WUS, at 7/8+, then we figure Chepstow House would be a better option (great outdoor space, good exit results, avoids logistics of new school for year 4, etc)

Does anyone have any advice or experience with a summer born child excelling or getting left behind academically?

Summer boys aren’t disadvantaged in admissions to WUS at 7/8+. The age of boys in each group is evenly spread throughout the year. A summer boy might be behind his classmate who is nearly a year older, but the thought is that things even out over time.

Current Wetherby parent here. There is definitely a chance for a summer born boy to get into the top London day schools but prepping starts early. Many parents either hire external tutors or do daily practice with their sons from as early as Reception, with more formal prep for the 7+ exams starting in Year 1. The pace of learning overall is very fast, and it's quite hard on boys who cannot keep up.

Chepstow House is a very different type of school - they don't prep for 7/8+ and the approach is much gentler.

I would say try Wetherby out, if you don't like it, it's easy to transition into a less pressurised school, but if your boy can take it then it's a great starting point for him, and certainly builds resilience.

Having just been through the process with our very late summer born boy, who was successful at 7+, my advice would be to choose a school that prepares him (or at least is open to it) for 7/8+ but also that you would be happy keeping him in for longer and has exit schools you like at 11 or 13+. It’s so hard to tell before they start school how they will be, academically. So best to keep all your options open if possible.

How much do you really want him to go to SPJS/WUS/KCS? Have you visited? WUS takes 22 boys from around 400 applicants at 7+. They age adjust scores, but your son would need to be exceptional to beat these odds. I’d be sure you really love those schools before picking a pre-prep purely on 7/8+ success.

These schools get so much attention, but they are honestly not the best environment for every single boy. There are other schools that also deliver wonderful academics and exit results. I just mean to say - these schools are not the be all, end all. And if you truly love them, they also do intakes at 11 or 13+.

Pick a school that you like, that you think suits your boy, aligns with your philosophies on academics and gives you options to move on when you are ready!

DS at WUS is summer born and it has never felt like he's behind except in height. WUS do unit tests relative to class mates so you would spot it.

Wetherby is non-selective and age shouldn't factor in theory.

My younger DS has just sat the 8+ at Westminster Under and is a summer born. If your son is at Wetherby he’ll be well prepped for the 7/8+ process, whether he’s a summer born or not (we’re not Wetherby parents but that’s my observation having spoken to friends whose boys are there).

Comparing it to the 11/13+ process (which my older DS endured last year as he is at a school that goes up to Y8) I would definitely take the school which preps for 7/8+ and see how he goes (also, I don’t believe birthdays are a factor once you get to the 11+/13+ stage, ie results are not calibrated according to age, so sitting the 7/8+ could work out better for your son).

Also at 7 / 8 the admissions process can be fun. At 11/13 it’s just gruesome!

Thank you mumsnet! I deeply appreciate all of the advice and experience. I do wonder a bit about my DS in particularly because in addition to July born, he’s on the shorter side (5%) and seems to be a bit shy relative to his peers

@AmericanUkDad just curious, how quickly did Wetherby offer a place post-registration, and how does the process actually work? We've had the pre-screening call from the registrar this month but nothing further. Thanks!

@chelseasummer We registered right after our little one was born, and we got an offer about 2 years later :)

I was told by a friend that Wetherby doesn’t encourage summer born children to try the top under schools. They would tell you your DS isn’t ready and won’t give the best reference letter. So in general the summer born babies are disadvantaged. Is this true?

They are advertising on social media, a couple of our friends were offered in year places. I think all private schools, including Wetherby have spaces these days…..at £9.3k a term (excluding VAT) it’s probably the most expensive London school.