Page 3 | 4+ Assessments 2025

KnackeredBunny · 2025-05-22T10:24:36+00:00

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…

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MyTwoDads · 18/09/2025 13:48

It will be fine, I've been through it too and it's hard handing over your little 3yr old to some strangers and leaving it all up to your LO to decide their fate!

If you've prepared them emotionally as well as academically, it will be up to the lap of the god now! Fingers crossed for everyone!

Original poster

KnackeredBunny · 18/09/2025 13:49

I fear I have not prepared my kid academically. Sending him in blind! 🫠

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MyTwoDads · 18/09/2025 13:56

As I said @KnackeredBunny when we chatted, the main thing now is to get them ready emotionally for the assessments as you don't want them to be afraid of the unknown. Any small thing could set them off and then their not in the right mood/zone to work with the teachers.
I have written some posts on 4+ preparation and how to explain the assessments to your child - if any one is interested send me a PM and I'll share my profile. 😃

Original poster

KnackeredBunny · 27/09/2025 10:59

So everyone who applied to Highgate gets an automatic assessment this year! What does everything think about this? I think it means they got very few applications, only just over what they usually accept. Otherwise the assessment period would have been extended. It still means that Highgate will be even more competitive this year because in round one they will have more choice.

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MMteacher · 27/09/2025 12:24

I think the opposite! They got so many applications and they just made it work! Why would you think they had fewer?

MyTwoDads · 27/09/2025 12:43

@KnackeredBunny I agree, I think they have had less that their usual amount and therefore not hit their cap. Like you say, they would have to extend the assessment period otherwise. It already takes several weeks to go through their recruitment process which means staff and the classroom being tied up.
The school I used to work at has had a drop in 4+ applications this year.

I don't think it will be harder to get in. If they have not reached their cap, then for round one, they will have less children to assess but still put the same number through to round 2.

However, if they haven't reached their cap, it could be a handful less (so not much difference) or a big drop. Only they will know the figures!

QuaintLilacHelper · 27/09/2025 13:06

Yeah I think there is less applications this year (or I hope ha). At the open days, Amy mentioned they were tracking less than last year, as did NLCS

Original poster

KnackeredBunny · 27/09/2025 13:39

MMteacher · 27/09/2025 12:24

I think the opposite! They got so many applications and they just made it work! Why would you think they had fewer?

They said “over 450 applications” which is usually their cut off, they could have said over 500, over 600. Over 450 to me suggests that it’s just about over, especially because there are no additional assessment dates. It would take double the time to assess double the applicants.

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Original poster

KnackeredBunny · 27/09/2025 13:40

MyTwoDads · 27/09/2025 12:43

@KnackeredBunny I agree, I think they have had less that their usual amount and therefore not hit their cap. Like you say, they would have to extend the assessment period otherwise. It already takes several weeks to go through their recruitment process which means staff and the classroom being tied up.
The school I used to work at has had a drop in 4+ applications this year.

I don't think it will be harder to get in. If they have not reached their cap, then for round one, they will have less children to assess but still put the same number through to round 2.

However, if they haven't reached their cap, it could be a handful less (so not much difference) or a big drop. Only they will know the figures!

I think they’ve probably just exceeded the cap! So probably a bit more competition but likely not by a lot.

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MMteacher · 27/09/2025 13:48

They've just hired more staff to assess more children. Very simple.

MMteacher · 27/09/2025 13:48

Think 750+ applicants this year...

MMteacher · 27/09/2025 13:50

They don't always (or ever) say the correct or even real amount!

Original poster

KnackeredBunny · 27/09/2025 13:53

MMteacher · 27/09/2025 13:50

They don't always (or ever) say the correct or even real amount!

They mentioned at the open day that they had fewer applications so far versus last year. If they had hired more staff to do the assessments (which I don’t think they would as the staff need to know what a good fit for Highgate even means which likely comes with experience) surely they would have said this ahead of time? Rather than the day of the deadline?

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MMteacher · 27/09/2025 14:15

I didn't hear that at the open day...

QuaintLilacHelper · 27/09/2025 14:15

Yeah I think its most likely they had something around 450 so didnt need a ballot - im sure if it was 480 applications they wouldn’t need to hire more staff / do more than 1-2 extra sessions which maybe they thought was fairer than doing a ballot - plus they charge beforehand now so incentivised to give people ballots !

MMteacher · 27/09/2025 16:26

Don't make it mean anything that there is no ballot. Keep preparing and do the work needed for this 4+ Assessment. All the best everyone!

Original poster

KnackeredBunny · 27/09/2025 16:43

Thank you for the encouraging words MMteacher!

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lilproblem · 27/09/2025 19:31

MyTwoDads · 27/09/2025 12:43

@KnackeredBunny I agree, I think they have had less that their usual amount and therefore not hit their cap. Like you say, they would have to extend the assessment period otherwise. It already takes several weeks to go through their recruitment process which means staff and the classroom being tied up.
The school I used to work at has had a drop in 4+ applications this year.

I don't think it will be harder to get in. If they have not reached their cap, then for round one, they will have less children to assess but still put the same number through to round 2.

However, if they haven't reached their cap, it could be a handful less (so not much difference) or a big drop. Only they will know the figures!

How much of a drop? Because say 10-20 applicants isn’t much in the grand scheme of things.

lilproblem · 27/09/2025 20:11

QuaintLilacHelper · 27/09/2025 13:06

Yeah I think there is less applications this year (or I hope ha). At the open days, Amy mentioned they were tracking less than last year, as did NLCS

Who is Amy?

MyTwoDads · 28/09/2025 09:43

@lilproblem you're right 10-20 isn't much in the grand scheme of things. The truth is, no one knows exactly apart from the schools themselves! Pulling out random numbers is not useful for anyone. I have a few friends that work for these schools and so have a bit of an understanding, plus if the school tells you in person at open day that numbers are slightly down/up from average, you can take that as a good intel! Why would they lie? They have benefit from doing so. They can with hold info, but if they're choosing to share then I would take that as a good source of where the land lies for them.

But you're right, it isn't going to make that much of a difference, continue to get your child ready for the assessments in the best way you can.

Zoolu123 · 28/09/2025 20:26

Anyone sitting Holland House? We’ve got ours on Tuesday feeling somewhat nervous as it’s the first one for us!

MMteacher · 29/09/2025 06:57

It will be great! All the best. We have several students sitting HH (2026 entry) and they are all more than good to go!

londonmum2025 · 29/09/2025 10:06

MMteacher · 29/09/2025 06:57

It will be great! All the best. We have several students sitting HH (2026 entry) and they are all more than good to go!

Hello, looking for a tutor for 4 plus this intake( no judgment) please can you send me your details?

MMteacher · 29/09/2025 10:12

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MMteacher · 29/09/2025 10:12

People will judge either way!