7+ 2024/25

[Caps0218]

I haven't seen another thread similar to previous years, so thought it would be beneficial to start one as exams are now 1 month away.
I think SHHS, UCS, KCJS and WUS are all in October.

Also - Curious to see if number of applicants are down this year, with Labour's VAT raid.

Hi! I just know that we are applying:) - KCJS numbers have gone up as there is a lot of interest from international candidates. Assuming Same for other schools.

Have numbers increased, that’s interesting as KCJS don’t do child sponsor visas anymore. Also with VAT, would have thought numbers would be down?

I expected the same. But met a mum from a KCJS feeder school - and that’s the official info they’ve been given - that international interest is higher than previous years …which ones are your DC sitting for? Mine is KCJS and SPJS.

I'm surprised that international is high, they must have some long term visa then...but odd.
We are the same as you, but will also do City.
What schools are feeders?

Wimbledon prep is a feeder for Kings - I know SPJS also had a feeder but don’t know the name.

Interesting that it sends 22 on average every year, that's more than 1/3 of the KCJS intake.
Not sure what the word feeder means, as anyone that does well in the exam and does better than the kids in Wimbledon Prep will get an offer.
Can't imagine those kids get preferential treatment.

It probably means the school has a higher success rate at getting the children in. The school probably understands what is required and the level that is needed to get in.

Also being a local school, means KCJS will be their main aim.
I think the main pre-preps which are in central London, such as Wetherby, Eaton House tend to send boys to SPJS and WUS...and to be fair they only each send a handful, plus the kids at these schools won't be applying to KCJS due to distance.

I thought Wetherby send way over a handful each year at 7+ AND 8+ to those top schools.

If you look now, they've started to show 5 year numbers of both 7+ and 8+ combined to mask recent underperformance.

76 boys from over the last 5 years; roughly 15 a year, but that's both 7&8+.
I think they have close to 90 boys in each year group. Nothing special.

Not sure about the international students, saw this on the KCJS website:

Please note that King’s currently only accepts applications from students who are British or Irish citizens, or who can demonstrate that they are dependents of people legally entitled to live in the UK for the duration of their study at King’s. The School does not sponsor pupils under the Child Student Visa Scheme.

I selfishly say - good for us!

I think SPJP previously did sponsor visas, but as of 2024 entry it no longer does. Seems they are cutting back on international / foreign students.

My partner works in one of the schools metioned in OPs post and they've not seen a dip in numbers due to VAT, although everyone knows fees will go up.

Also wouldn't read much into sponsor visa thing, the dying last acts of the Tories was a crackdown on sponsor visa's and I know a few schools scaled away from it as it was getting way too complicated.

Plenty of wealthy foreign workers living in London wanting to send their kids to these schools anyway.

Well it's clearly written on their website for Kings, SPJS said it will only sponsor from 13+. City, Highgate and UCS have not said anything, so perhaps they are ok with it.
I know that someone who is on a short visa has asked and has been told no.
They're maybe rich foreigners, but they may also have long visas sponsored by their employers.
But the school won't sponsor.

@Caps0218

Thanks for the insight.

So it's 149 boys to the 3 schools (7+ and 8+) for the last 5 years. That's about 30 per year. It's probably more like 20 at 7+ and 10 at 8+, than the other round.

So 20 boys out of about 90(?) heading to the 3 schools at 7+ is very very good? Or I'm completely missing something!

•	Kings College Junior School (11 boys)
•	St Paul’s Juniors (76 boys)
•	Westminster Under (62 boys)

Agree….the ratio is not bad.. But interesting how many schools show each year on its own, as opposed to a 5 year number….
its not bad….although speaking to a Wetherby parent, the number is nearer 15.

All - ratio aside, how’s everyone doing on the prep front? With KCS couple of weeks away - I am feeling the mental exhaustion myself! 😬

Creative Writing and Comprehension still needs a bit of work. If DS likes the comprehension he will do well, if not then who knows. The other sections are ok.

Unfortunately ( and my own child is prepping for 7+ at WUS as well as other schools) I don't think the sponsorship and VAT thing will make any real difference in terms of numbers or quality of applicants.

London is London and has a never ending supply of bright children with parents who can afford fees,

100% @silentwallflower.
But interesting how SPJS did sponsor up to 2023 entry and then stopped.
Nevertheless, it does reduce the competition a little.
22 places at WUS is super super hard.

Just to add, KCJS have updated their fees with VAT added.
Looks like a 12% increase.
£9.3k a term inclusive of lunch for year 3&4.
Nearer £10k for the next 2 years.

My DS2 is sitting KCJS only. I have DS1 in Junior school too.
Same as many - problems with comprehension and Writing- he rarely finishes his tasks within the time given. Cannot see we’ll be able to improve it before 12 Oct!

Does anyone know the format of WUS comprehension, I’m aware that SPJS is multiple choice and part of the reasoning section?
At the open day, someone said it’s on a iPad, which ties in with the comment on the WUS website that “boys will be given time away from the screen”.
I wonder if the entire test is computer based?

Same boat - DS1 is in KCS so that’s our main school. We live very close to the school also so all round it’s the best choice for us. But DS2 is a July baby - so that poses its own challenges of time and stamina!