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 it? That’s kinda what I pay my fees for?! I definitely don’t think my kids should need a tutor particularly in prep “to keep up”!

That's a good way to be!

It’s nice to see some fellow parents who also don’t have external tutors. Fair play to those that do - absolutely not coming for anyone. My approach is little and often for DC’s work books and past papers. If they don’t get in, it’s not meant to be. Reading a comment about children not being able to choose non-academic clubs breaks my heart a little…

It's that time of year again!

Super selective schools often get a lot of criticism from those who don’t have kids enrolled there. My daughter attends one of these schools for girls, and it seems to attract the most negativity and misinformation on forums. But here’s the kicker: the parents and girls at the school are generally all happy! I also know quite a few boys at these schools, and guess what? They love their experience too! But these schools are definitely not for everyone.

These schools really know how to choose kids who will thrive in their environment. If your son has received an offer, chances are he’ll enjoy the learning pace, and you’ll be thrilled to see him loving his new school, despite what the naysayers claim.

According to the negative commenters, the 7+ process is supposed to be a nightmare that ruins kids. Sure, it might be tough for some, but what about your son? Did he find it largely okay and learn a fair bit along the way, maybe even enjoy parts of it? Every child and family has a different experience.

You also can’t really know the true motives of random people (me included!) on anonymous sites, especially during times like this. For instance, if you’re on the waiting list for one of these schools and feeling desperate, you might say anything to secure a spot.

Just my two cents: Talk to parents who have kids at the school you’re considering. Schools often connect you with their PTA. Also, take another tour of the school and see it for yourself. Chat with the kids—do they seem happy and engaged, or like they’re just going through the motions like over tutored zombies?

Lastly, check out where the students go after graduation and what they pursue. Look at the universities they attend and the courses they choose. Junior school years fly by, and your son will be tackling GCSEs before you know it. While these schools may have similar GCSE and A-level results, the paths their students take afterward can be quite different.

Congratulations to your son!

City and Highgate 7+ interview dates have been sent!

I just wanted to clarify that I’m not criticizing at all, I have two DCs who are (it seems!) safely through to 18 in schools considered to be very good so my comments are not on the basis of being envious or wanting to get a place etc. I’d also echo the 7+ comment in particular as ours only sat for one school and we thought we’ll get it or we won’t! My eldest did have a tutor for 5 months which I think was really helpful as I had zero idea what she needed to do and her school were not in a position to support. My son had 4 tutor sessions and we binned it as neither of us could be bothered and thought he’ll be ok if he’s meant to be there! So not a very stressful process but their friends sitting 3-5 schools and working every day and weekends - it’s just another world! Yet this does seem to be what the 7+ and 11+ require (and I can see why)….

Hi @2minutesplease, I wanted to ask if KCJS expects students to keep up with their studies during the school holidays, beyond the homework they’re given.

We might not be able to accept the offers if it means he’ll have to miss out on his trainings/placements for academic study during the breaks.

Many thanks.

Hi Daddy888, no homework is given for holidays. The school doesn’t expect the kids to do anything at all during holidays. Plus if the child was unwell and the parents ask for homework to be completed at home the school’s position is that the poorly child need to rest and recover, not do homework.

Thank you @2minutesplease for your response. We are really looking forward to joining KCJS next September.

@daddy888 congrags on Kings, tough to drop SPJS. Will your DS not sit 2nd rounds at City & Highgate?

Thanks. My son still wants to go to the activity session at Highgate. He thinks they’re more fun than school classes.

We skipped City because it clashed with SPJS’s activity day.

Thank you all! Very valuable answers.
No clear answer between Westminster/SPJ/KCJS for us yet but every bit of information is useful!

I understand that this is the approach at SPJ and WUS too, along with a few other selective schools I also know about. I hear that they expect kids to keep reading during the holidays though. It probably is different in senior schools - I don't know. While getting in to those schools is competitive, parents seem to find themselves pleasantly surprised by how nurturing they are, once in, and how much they prioritise the wellbeing of the children. I think that's wonderful!

Fwiw, my y4 child is not now tutored nor is their older sibling, both stopped after passing entrance exams. With the y4 we do the school homework but not more - there was one piece of holiday homework.

It isn’t something the parents actively talk about certainly but there are probably some. Older child says they think a few kids have maths tutors. I’m not ideologically opposed if it were needed and we had some 7+ and 11+ tutoring but as someone else said I’m paying the schools to teach them. And the content isn’t yet tricky enough that we can’t help the children if they get stuck. I do not intend to spend £££ on high end private schooling and then £££ on doing their job for them.

For us a massive selling point of 7+ was avoiding the 11+ and all the work and angst involved, which I know from experience. I asked carefully questions on how far the automatic transfer would really apply (ie did they quietly drop the bottom 20%) and I was satisfied with the answers. I would think carefully about taking a school where you have to do the 11+ and compete against externals to stay or taking one through school at 7 with a view to moving at 11., you’re signing up for another (much harder than 7+) treadmill so be sure it is the right path for you. Not having to drill for 11+ at school or at home can allow a more fun and rounded education in year 5 and 6.

What school your sons are going to, AegeanBlue?

My DH went there, which is one of the reasons we initially thought about it for our son and DH liked it more than I did. He was a little heartbroken at first but has come to terms with it now that our DS will be just as happy at a different school. 🙃

The head at our current prep school mentioned that the whole internal 11+ thing at WUS isn't a big deal for the kids who can manage the 7+ entry there and the parents who choose the school generally don’t blink about it. Quite interestingly, he thinks it acts as a sort of self-selection thing—whether that's on purpose or not. Because of that, he wouldn’t suggest the school to families who are keen on over-pushing their kids or doing too much tutoring just to secure a spot, so they feel 'set' until they’re 18, or those who find these things very stressful..

Does anyone have any idea if the senior schools in City might become co-ed? I stumbled across this article, and the comments at the bottom implies that City is working towards becoming co-ed all through? Would love to hear any thoughts or updates on this!

https://www.londonpreprep.com/2024/02/westminster-school-to-become-fully-co-educational-by-2030/

The dc still have to prep for it and hit certain scores. One parent I know that has dc at WUS was open about the prep for the 11+ done and it was A LOT!!!!!!!!!!! I was shocked.....and I am just going through the 11+ now w my ds. The dc did a lot of prep...I would def not send my dc there knowing you would need to do the 11+ to stay in the school. Of course, heads will downplay it. I have heard different heads (or admissions) when doing talks on the 11+ say "no need to prep for 11+" which is a total lie....if you don't prep....you will not get in....simply because EVERYONE else is prepping.

Exactly this. The school can be “nurturing” and not set homework as so many parents are setting their own work every day of the holidays to rubber stamp staying at the school but also doing well in the exams….

Yes, 100% this. I know of a prep school (I am sure many do this!) that do not set any homework in the early years, but guess what? The parents secretly give their own homework! And later when they get hw...parents still give extra hw.

This made me laugh! as we are in a prep school with LOTS of homework and parents secretly or openly set more of their own homework! Bless our children!

Thank you all. The reason for my question about WUS tutoring is that I do want the children to be pushed at school, but not by the peer pressure of parents. Honestly, that's quite a tightrope to walk. I don't want the kids to be clearly behind the 11+ children joining senior school, who would have just done 2 years of intense 11+ prep. At the same time I dont want the whole experience of the intense 11+ prep either! Kind of like having your cake and eating it too, I would like the kids to reach that same level enjoying the whole process organically and not through endless tutoring and mock exams and the pressure piled on by nervous parents.
In that sense, perhaps a junior school with automatic transfer to the senior school looks more attractive than one where there is a competitive hurdle to get across, for no other reason than the fact that having a clear exam in front of them brings out the animal spirits in parents that is hard to escape from.
On the other hand, there is a real chance that not having the competitive hurdle in front of them may make the children more likely to be behind their 11+ peers in senior school, essentially postponing the competition to teenage years when they are already dealing with a lot of changes.
That's the dilemma in our choice. Any light shedded here by experienced parents would be so useful!

From what I know is at Westminster there is the same pressure for studying for the 11+ internally...as least from the parent I spoke with. I think they probably do it to keep everyone at top level. A SPJ parent told me all the incoming boys from 11+ are in the top sets....so if you go to a school like Kings or SPJ all the new incoming kids end up in the top sets, as they are ahead from their studies. But you also have parents that are aware of this and will push their kids to study even if they are not doing the 11+ so that they can be in top sets....which is not too difficult, as you would only be focused on math really and perhaps English....no need to study NVR and VR like everyone who is actually doing the 11+

I don’t think so. The headmaster was asked in an interview last year and said no. I guess there is no financial pressure. But there now are more co-curricular activities with City girls.