4+ Assessments 2025

[KnackeredBunny]

Main thread for 2025 applications. Can’t find the previous thread for 2025 but from memory it has a typo in the title. I’ve only made this one to make sure everyone finds it easily!

Advice from previous assessments gladly taken. This is our first time applying. It’s a little early still so why don’t we start with where everyone is applying?

We’re looking at The Hall, Alleyn’s, Habs, Highgate UCS, and Manor Lodge. Have looked at some prep from previous threads and starting to think we’re seriously under-prepared…

DS has received offers from Wimbledon Common Prep (Squirrels), Trevor Roberts, Falkner House Boys, Hereward House, Highgate, and The Hall.

He didn’t get through the first round at Westminster.

We’re now deciding between The Hall and Highgate. We also really like Hereward House, but DS is very strong‑minded and active, so we’re wondering whether he might thrive better in a larger school environment. Part of me is also considering whether a Prep only school might give him more time to mature before the 11+, with the option of trying for St Paul’s or Westminster later on.

Congratulations! What a sweep! Must have been a real marathon getting here

So many of you have got offers from very good schools, but not through WUS 1st round??

@deanstreet

I say this with full respect for WUS, but some of the anecdotes I’ve heard this year feel a bit unusual. It seems that several West London nurseries have had a noticeably higher 4+ success rate than North London ones. A few parents who were at the second‑round sessions also mentioned the gender mix: for example, one group had 8 girls and 2 boys, another had 6 girls and 4 boys.

The girls I know who made into 2nd round are genuinely very strong academically and have that classic “follow instructions well, observant, calm in a group” profile that tends to do well at 4+. The only boy I know who made it through is lovely and from a very posh family, but not necessarily the standout academically in his class. It does make me wonder whether there’s a slight tilt towards girls at this stage.

To be fair, this would make sense. WUS was historically a boys’ school and is now establishing itself as co‑ed. They won’t struggle to attract boys because of the school’s reputation, but they do need to secure bright girls early, especially given the competition from places like St Paul’s Girls at 7+. The new pre‑prep head also comes from a West London school, so it wouldn’t surprise me if those nurseries and families feel more familiar to her.

These are just my hypotheses, and even if they’re true, I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong with it. Schools shape their early cohorts strategically.

For my own DS, he’s very determined and strong‑minded about what he wants to learn and how he likes to do things. He sometimes needs persuasion to switch tasks, which may not be the best fit at this stage for a very fast‑paced, highly structured environment where children are expected to follow a set syllabus closely. That’s not a criticism of him or the school, just a question of fit.

St Paul’s Girls 7+…?? That doesn’t exist :))

However WUS did highlight in their comms that they will take into account the home address due to the young age which might explain the tilt towards south west candidates

I do agree that the assessment process itself was not what I expected from a school of this calibre.

Well done to everyone with amazing offers here

distance from school is an important admissions criterion. And I agree with WUS that at this age it definitely should be a consideration in inviting a child back or not.

@Londonmamma22sorry I meant SPG 11+. Yeah, I don’t think WUS have the proximity factor when I spoke with them at the first summer repetition event in May 2024 but it comes up when the formal process starts in 2025.

With all my respect , It is definitely a wonderful new 4+ option for all families.

good luck with WUS on Monday to everyone who completed the second round. Best wishes.

Check the admissions policy for 4+. They have a proximity factor

@getsetdadyeah. I know it’s in there. What I tried to say that this was new in 2025. They didn’t state that in early 2024 when they first reached out for 4+ interests before it releases the 4+ admission policy.

no bad feeling at all.

We're roughly in the same position was you except we didn't apply to Trevor Roberts and have a UCS offer too. We're really struggling to decide between The Hall, Highgate and Hereward House... we've decided against UCS. Going to be a tough week! Good luck to you!

@Londonmamma22 agreed- it was rather rough around the edges, but it was their first time in doing the assessment. One would have hoped they had done their research. Second round was much more academic (as expected) but I'm not sure about round 1 - I just can't see how they objectively filtered the children down from 500 to 100 by asking what they did.

Regarding gender split; I think it may be the case that they had more boys apply than girls (purely speculative as only they know the answer) because there are more girls only schools in London and also, the parents of girls possibly may be put off that this is the first time they are accepting girls and don't want to be the guinea pigs! This means that girls would have had a better chance at getting through to the second round. They will be making offers to the 32 places for an equal number of boys and girls.

Anyone deciding between Hall, UCS or AH?

A friend who got UCS and the hall is taking UCS. we have UCS and the hall and others. we will not be taking UCS, but debating between the hall and the others. You won't see many parents here deciding between those 3 because of AH's different entry point. I think it's a no brainer to do the hall or UCS vs AH. Unless you want them to go do 11/13+ and then it's definitely the hall.

Son has been offered a place at The Hall & Alleyns, waitlisted for UCS. waiting for habs result Monday. I wonder how much movement these waitlists. Any parents in this thread turning down UCS with a summer born? (May - August)?

Wow congrats!!! Amazing results. What month is your little one born in?

There is plenty parents at AH who have offers at Hall and UCS and looking into potentially moving their sons.

Thanks . We’re very proud of him, considering we are adamantly against tutoring. He was born in late May

Yes, I’ve heard that a lot of AH parents do that

We are turning down UCS

And so you should be! We are also against it. Well done.

How amazing! Congrats. Which school do you prefer? Asking as I need opinions!

Leaning slightly more towards UCS (we also got Highgate) but I’m very torn! Did your little one do the 4+?

can i ask why leaning more towards ucs vs highgate? we also have UCS and highgate...

oh my goodness how amazing! Highgate would be a no brainer for me, but didn’t get it. Why not Highgate?

Sorry yes my little one did! He has an offer from the hall and ucs waitlist, waiting to hear from Habs.