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…

I think you should ask to move whichever one is later in the day! I think it’s too much to do two in a day

good luck @Jamie3! Do you have a boy or girl? Our first isn’t until dec

can’t believe some have already happened, eg Holland house

Manor lodge refused to change assessment time they only hold it one day.

Radlett prep were more willing but couldn’t accommodate a later time. Apparently this year they have received far more applications than previous years.

Probably because the fees are double at some other through schools in the area…?

I can’t believe they didn’t even try… I think that’s awful they’re essentially forcing you into this situation! I feel for you!

I know but historically both schools have had their assesment on same day although I hear last year RP did allow people to change their assesment date to another day.

its not great for us but I can understand as RP used to be a back up school for a lot of people with most having ML as their first choice but RP results have been really good last few years and I’m sure recent results were better than ML hence they can now be picky and obviously don’t want to be a backup school anymore

That makes a lot of sense, I wonder what has changed about their teaching?

It’s always been a great school but I think parents have preferred other nearby schools because of facilities. RP is a bit old school feeling but academically they have always been strong

Such great info thank you.
we did use a tutor since both my partner and I work (very) full time and the nursery our children attended was play based.
Whilst many turn their noses up at tutoring we found it to be very fun based and our children never complained or saw it as a chore. The tutor we used had a wealth of experience (18 years) did the basics and would give us tips and hints of things to do at the weekends.
schools say they can tell when a child has been tutored but like it has been mentioned above it doesn’t prevent the school from taking that child on.
Apologies I’m rattling on but thought it add my two cents worth 😉

We used a tutor as well. Our daughter’s nursery does some educational things like phonics and numbers, but it’s not a prep type nursery. I agree its not esssential, but our tutor has been more play based (our daughter has fun going) so I don’t think its a negative. Fwiw from our nursery, quite a few people are using tutors so I feel like if my daughter is going to be evaluated against other children who are getting additional preparation, I would like her to be given the chance to have the same amount of prep.

Any insight into when we would hear back from Manor Lodge or Radlet Prep? We had ours this morning and now it’s a waiting game! Glad it’s all over though

From the invitation letter we received with our assessment details, Radlett Prep said that our results will be posted to us by Friday 31st October! Not sure for Manor Lodge.

How did the double assessment situation go?

We had both our offers for Manor Lodge and Radlett Prep the following week. I can’t remember which one, but one was an assessment on a Friday followed by the offer the following Monday.

i know from friends both are announced on the same day and then everyone decides then…this was the case even last year, I recall when all the nursery kids applied. It definitely wasn’t the following week though!

It was the following week for us but we didn’t get our offers on the same day.

Wonder if it varies how much of a priority you are in the offer list.

I believe they'll be sent out about a week after so next Friday.

Hi, and apologies if this a bit out of place. I am wondering as a first timer going through this process regarding the depth of these assessments. I have heard/read that kids need to be able to read write and be socially and emotionally intelligent. But how can they distinguish between so many kids that obviously were taught how to write their name identify it write numbers count them and also read basic words and choose the ones that are naturally gifted ? Majority of kids are tutored either by parents or agencies and I also heard that assessments are very test like in some of the schools with an interviewer sitting at a table and kids going in and asked questions. When you have a kid that is naturally advanced etc in sharing be kind polite and knows numbers letters have logic having proper discussions and confident and another that also knows the academic things but very disruptive in behaviour with not sharing screaming and very emotional immature maybe this behaviour wont be obvious during the assessment as they would follow instructions on the day? Lots of my DC friends are going through this process and I see majority of kids be at the same academic level some a bit more advanced some less with social behaviours differing. So not sure how you would make a choice between lets say 4 kids with the same academic level. I am just curious to understand the process.

Hi @Navigatingparenthood the criteria schools use to make their selections can vary but essentially the content is quite similar.

The schools will be looking for children that are showing signs of being academic and emotionally mature which is why if you have a children that, as you say are "very disruptive in behaviour with not sharing screaming and very emotional immature", chances are they will not be chosen.

Schools are looking for independent, resilient, well-rounded children that can follow instructions. That is not to say they want a class of 'Stepford children' but they would be put off by children being disruptive.

Having said all that, teachers are good at getting children to listen and follow instructions and a child that you may see running around and being loud at a party or in the park, would probably behave differently in a classroom setting.

Also, it would be difficult for you to know the 'academic level' of your DC's friends. Someone that is chatty and articulate gives the air of being academic, but this may not translate to all the things being asked in the assessment.

@MyTwoDads thank you for all your inputs on this thread. We’ve applied to Alleyn’s and JAGS this year. How important is writing in these schools? DD who’s currently 3 (end of Aug born, probably the youngest in any class) is struggling with writing and I’m starting to worry that I’m stressing her out with it. Just wondering if we should continue encouraging her to write or focus more on drawing etc., She’s brilliant with everything else though - reading, maths, puzzles and other fine motor activities that are tested. Any advice is appreciated.

@OneSillyBlueUser thank you! I am familiar with these schools.
They will definitely be asked to write their name once they have drawn a picture. You may need to begin with pre-writing shapes for her to get the correct movements before beginning to form the letters. You can do it in sand or shaving foam spread in a tray to make it fun. Lots of fine motor activities like playdough, lego/duplo etc. When I assessed, for the summer borns that couldn't write it, I would write their name later on and say 'what does this say?'. That's the first step - can they recognise their name? I have written several posts with 4+ tips and FAQs if you wanted to have a look at my insta: @ beyondtutoringlondon I thought it might be easier to put everything in one place! I'm happy to answer DMs too.

Thank you @MyTwoDads for your insights. Obviously I cannot assess a child's full academic potential and level by a playdate but we do share information with other parents if our children know the numbers, how to write, if they know how to read. That is what I meant by similar academic level and hence I was wondering if for instance 10 kids all know how to read and write I am slightly baffled how they decide between them.

@Navigatingparenthood there are many facets to the assessment, and so it is easy to gain/lose points in the various areas covered. This means that the total score for children that can both read and write could still vary due to the other areas.
Having said that, when there are very similar scores there are factors which schools consider when deciding who to make an offer to, and who to put on the waiting list. Factors are gender, ethnicity, birth month, siblings in the school already. It is important for schools to have well balanced classes.

The tricky part comes when it comes to looking at the waiting list, as some schools rank and some do not. This is when the skewing starts. For example, if several summer born children do not accept the offer, chances are the ones that performed highest on the WL will be from the autumn (not always though), by the time it gets to the start of Reception, the cohorts are not as balanced as the original selection. It's a best fit situation though.

Anyone up for ranting? 😁 DC went for assessments but it’s almost impossible to gauge anything about their performance although I tried to question of course. The only feedback I got from the assessors was along the lines of “She was settled, no tears, had lots of fun”. The waiting game is not for the faint of heart :(

@GloMumit is absolutely an infuriating process, mine has done two assessments (Highgate & Manor Lodge) so far and he hasn’t shared anything beyond “read a book” and “played”. Where was your assessment?