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.

We are group 19, I assume they do it by surname or is it age?
Probably 20-25 groups?

I heard that the grouping was done alphabetically based on the surname in a recent year.

Based on our grouping and surname letter and 15 per group, somewhere between 300-350 expected.

We are in group 9

Group 15 for us - so alphabetically based on surname sounds like it could be right.

I didn’t receive anything - we are at the end of alphabet though. Can I ask when did you letters arrive?

Found it! We are group 18. So when we know the numbers in each group we’ll be able to estimate the number of applicants.

We are in Group 16 and our surname falls in the last quarter of the alphabet. If that makes sense? I have heard they expect more based on age, but that might only apply in the second stage, maybe?

Seems numbers are down from previous years? Looks like around 300, as opposed to 350-400 in previous years?

I wonder if this VAT bomb has made families who are in state primaries stay to 11 and do 11+ and save on 4 years of fees? Numbers certainly do seem down.

If 25 groups, it's close to 400? Do you feel that it's more like 20 groups?

But do we know how many kids are in each group?
update: checked the email - 15 kids max in each group.

I think it’s more like 20 as we are group 18 and closer to the end of alphabet.

I see. Sorry I missed your earlier message. Definitely better than 400 but 300 still sounds A LOT 😅

They said no more than 15, so probably 15... minus any who won't show up..

Very cute message from Mr Lougher :) I wonder why they insist the boys don’t wear school uniform? 3 years ago it was up to boys what to wear.

I loved the message too - that is just so Kings and so Mr. Lougher! :)

300 boys and they probably take 150 through, as likely 75 offers? As quite a few will choose WUS / SPJS?

That does feel a decent drop on previous years? I’m sure I read on here that there were 350-400 most years….must be the impact of VAT.

You must be right. Also maybe birthrate drop? I also know increasingly co-ed schools are becoming more over subscribed.

600 applicants for 4+ at Highgate this year, so they had to a ballot as they will only assess 450! So co-ed is seriously popular.

if we were in a state primary, we would probably stay to 11 now. I think many are doing that.

We did the 7 plus last year, the whole of Wimbledon around kings was swarming with hundreds of boys sitting for 7/8+. I think it was around the 400 mark. Bearing in mind also that this year they are not taking boys who are non British citizens to sit the exams where as previously, boys would fly in to take the exams.
We are trying for the 8+ this year. My DS is a summer baby so hopefully a years of maturity will have helped us this time around.
Wishing you all the best

The same, regarding kids being flown in, was happening at SPJS and WUS and they also will allow only British Citizens or visa holders for the duration of their study.
A lot of those kids were highly prepared with heavy tutoring….

I'm curious if SPJS and WUS stopped sponsoring child student visas starting this year or last year. Do you know if this is the first time this change was made at both schools compared to last year's exams?

I know the change applies to this year's exam for the first time at King's.

Good luck to all the parents (& their DSs) posting!

Curious if any parents here are prepping for girls 7+? My DD will be sitting assessments for Bute House and Latymer. Decided to focus on these two schools as we live locally.