4+ assesements 2024

[tps123]

Hello

I thought I'd set up a new thread for those sitting 4+ in 2024 for September 2025 start date.

Any tips for prepping?

What schools are people considering?

We got an email from Highgate over the weekend saying that they would have a ballot to select the 450 assessment places from the 600 4+ applications. Announcements to be in mid October.

Would be interesting if some parents have already been told they have an assessment spot.

Wow - 600 applications even with the VAT

Wow!!! That's a lot of applications.

I know Edge Grove assessments have happened and offers sent.

In Hertfordshire radlett prep and manor lodge are soon. St Margaret's is also on the same day.

Then the big ones Habs boys and girls is towards end of the year

The number of applicants may have to do with the fact that you don't need to pay the £150 "pay to play" fee unless you're selected for an assessment.

Regardless it's very big number for maybe 60 spots?

highgate is the most oversubscribed school in North London at the moment, so I will not be surprised, the number of candidates sitting at all points of entry has grown a lot in the last couple of years so people try to get on 4+ train rather than spend years preparing for 7+ or 11+. Sadly selective all through schools may become even more oversubscribed because of VAT while the pool of candidates applying for preps will decrease.
Even previously oversubsribed preps like Hall and St Christophers for girls in NW3 London are so much easier to get in now

Why would VAT make a difference? Either parents would prefer a prep school or an all through school but VAT wouldn’t be a consideration factor (the school fees might be). The aspirations for people going to The Hall will be schools like Eton, Harrow, Westminster etc which select at 11+. I understand parents want to avoid the 11+ hence choosing an all through school, but it’s not VAT related.

Even though Highgate is highly oversubscribed in terms of the ballot, a lot of the girls I know who got Highgate 4+ offers all declined in preference of all girls schools

This is boys and girls though, NLCS itself have over 400 applicants in a typical year

Anyone sitting the prep assessments?

As mentioned before about Radlett, Manor Lodge, Orlee Farm and St Margaret’s being earlier than the through schools assessments which seem to be in December and Jan.

Im observing an opposite trend with kids accepting Highgate offers and declining single-sex like Habs/NLCS/ South Hamstead. North London is getting increasingly international, and could this be a factor? as many international families prefer co-ed to single-sex. (many schools including Westminster transition to co-ed model) also the location plays an important role at 4+, those living closer to HIghgate are more likely to accept HIghgate, that's why we may observe different trends

Yes we are sitting preprep assesenents

We've done Edge Grove and have Manor Lodge soon.

We will also be doing St Hilda's, Habs and NLCLS

Highgate sent emails today to randomly shortlisted kids with invite for the first round of assessments..

Registered our son to
Falkner
WCCS
SPCS
St Philip’s
Alleyn
Highgate
DUCKS

That's right Anabel85, we received a letter re Highgate last night.

Yes definitely location is a major factor as the school runs are horrid from anywhere Hampstead to Highgate. For those that live near Highgate, Highgate school is much better academically than Channing in my opinion.

I know a couple of families who have one boy and one girl who accepted Highgate for ease.

Totally agree! It's important to factor in commute during traffic time and that for most this is a long term commitment!

Gosh London sounds full on, it's a lot more relaxed up north!

We're just starting open days and I wasn't expecting the the goodie bag we got from the first school, is that standard!? Theres only so many teddy bears I have room for

New to this thread but about to start the assessments process so hello!

Hello!

Is anyone sitting first round of highgate this week? Have no idea what to expect!

We've got ours next week but I do have a friend whose daughter's is today!

We had ours today with a small group of 7-8 kids. It seems they grouped them by birth month, as most kids in our group were summer-born. The kids played in the hall while everyone arrived and registered, they went upstairs to play and brought them back after about 50 minutes. Our son hasn’t shared much about what they did - but from what I could understand a bit of reading, comparing things (same, different), playing cars :) not sure about that one :) he seemed happy when we picked him up. I was a bit worried about how he’d handle the separation, but it went smoothly. A couple of kids did have a harder time, though.

Thanks for the reassurance @AnaBel85
we have ours tomorrow. Good luck to you!! X

@Happy289 how did it go? We had ours earlier this week. There were at least a couple of kids who were unwilling to go in. They seemed to be assessed by a single teacher, as our little one only described being spoken to by a single teacher. Second rounds are in January so I'm guessing we will hear back in December before the term Christmas break.

What have people heard about the pre-prep head? She appears to be fairly new to the role, taking over from Sally Hancock a year ago.

How are assessments going more generally? We haven’t applied to Highgate but wondering about the other North London and Hertfordshire preps.

Does anyone know when the results for 2nd round will be for SHHS and Highgate?

Sally Hancock is still pre-prep head at Highgate?