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.

Does anyone know what is the reading assessment about in SPJS 7+ assessment? Do the boys have to show their reading skills on the books they are provided ? Not clear what reading entails. Thanks

@mylittleprincess28 My understanding is that it is a reading comprehension. Why it’s included in the non-verbal section is beyond me!

On a separate note, does anyone know how much of the VAT is being passed on at SPJS? Kings are passing on 12%, I have heard WUS are passing the full 20%. Curious to see what St Paul's are doing especially as they have the new building, so should be able to reclaim a fair bit.

SPS- 9%
WUS have just sent email, confirming the entire 20% to parents.

@SWL2024 I wonder how much this will have an impact on parents who are choosing.

I’m afraid no one should hope that SPS and Kings will keep their 9% and 12% for long. I expect the increase to keep growing every year 😭

@2minutesplease All they have done is reduce net fees, but VAT is still being applied at 20%. So overall impact to parents is 9% to 12%. All schools will probably do their 5% increase every year etc. So 2025/26 fees to parents will probably be 5% more than they will be in January.

Those who only receive an offer from WUS, will take it. If normal middle-income parents receive offers from WUS & KCJS, I suppose they'll take KCJS, even if that means driving an hour to Wimbledon via Parkside (20mph) every morning over the next 5 yrs. So much for proximity in the neo-post-VAT milieu.😬

SPJ communicated the vat figure before the Autumn budget was released, just like many other schools did. If WUS announced 20% recently, it's very possible that WUS factored in the NI increase and other staff costs that the other schools werent able to. If that's the case, the other schools will just have to raise their fees even more in September.

5% would be awesome.... But I think it'll be ratger higher than that because of the staff NI costs.

@SWL2024 Won't make a difference. People who get WUS and are central will accept, similarly those south of the river will accept the other 2.

Should we be expecting KCJS emails tomorrow?

Before prospective WUS parents accept offers, kindly note fees have not yet been updated on the website. FYI: Fees for yr 3-4 from Jan 2025 is £10,350 per term, just so you're not shocked when you receive an additional 5-6% increase on THIS figure.

@SWL2024 Could they not offset some VAT from the new building (the one that will teach the new early years groups)?

Clearly they should've! Most parents pointed to this VAT clawback, but they are financially very shrewd...

It already says £8625 per term for y3y4.

All fees and charges on this page are subject to the prevailing VAT rate.

So it already says £10,350?

They probably could add 40% and they would still be oversubscribed! That's the thing with these top schools, they are in high demand, although numbers this year are down from previous years, Kings certainly was down to 300 for 7+ from 350-400 in previous years.

Have provided the most up-to-date info, received at 11:00 this morning by parents at the school. They will update when convenient ;)

Thank you for the info.

I was just clarifying that the WUS website has displayed the termly fee of £8625 plus VAT for quite some time. When we applied, we had understood that the fees would be £10350 from Jan 2025. Although, we were not accepted.

UCS, City and Highgate have the same info, but I believe all 3 will be reducing net fees slightly. UCS will be passing on 18%, but they still have the original fees pre change on their website.

Today I got a reply from KCJS with regards to feedback of my DS's assessment. Think the DSs who got through the first stage were probably all in their 4th quartile as my DS was in the 3rd quartile. This is info for everyone who tried and didn't get in. Sorry to highjack thread.

I’m sorry to hear your DS didn’t get through. Good that Kings gave you feedback.
I think there were 300 kids in the first stage.
i believe they took the top 2 quartiles through (roughly 150).

I wonder if anyone is brave enough to call to Kings and ask if we could expect the results TODAY? 😂

My gut instinct tells me next Wednesday as they seem to release them mid week the week after the last interview day. Normally they publish the result date but this year seem to have left it open to ‘mid November’

I was that brave person who called. And the results will be released…….. (drumroll)