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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Am I really too late to privately educate just because I did not get DD's name down by 2?

69 replies

toolatetoprivatelyeducate · 12/04/2009 16:05

We are in West London and had intended to send DD to a state primary until she is 7 (she will be three in August). However, circumstances have changed (well state school catchment areas have) and we want her to go private from Reception.

I have been looking at the websites of Ravenscourt Prep, Bute House, Orchard House and Chiswick and Bedford Park and it seems we have no chance of getting her into Reception at any of these. Is this really true or do they hype up the difficulties of entry to make themselves look exclusive?

Has anyone manged to get a DC into a popular private school despite not having got their DC's name down by the official deadline?

OP posts:

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Butkin · 14/04/2009 23:24

I suspect things are changing. Our school was well oversubscribed in reception (even a sibling couldn't get in) but in our year (Yr 1) we've lost 3 little boys since Christmas(one because he moved overseas but two because of economics) and only one has joined so now we're two light in the year.

I'd suggest you put his name down for any schools you like (probably 3 or 4) and then work down the pecking order when the crunch comes.

You can't compare how things are in Reception with 7+ because so many kids get packed off to boarding school then so spaces always open up.

KathrynAustin · 16/04/2009 09:50

3 friends in SW London who weren't allocated any places in state primary schools for reception have confirmed places in private schools in Putney & Wimbledon - to start this Sept.

None had their children on the waiting lists and contacted the schools for the first time at end March/April 2009 (to start reception September 2009).

I think the current economic climate has opened up some places in private schools.

Elibean · 16/04/2009 22:17

jujumaman, slightly off topic, but....am wondering if the school whose parameters changed this year was in N Barnes? dd's school had same situation, always been the overflow school for the borough, then suddenly massively oversubscribed this year.

It's reputatation has been improving massively over the past few years, but also they had a very high number of siblings this year, and only 8 places for non-sibs - unusual.

But for some reason, it hadn't occured to me that the credit crunch had a part to play - seems obvious now you mention it

DesperateHousewifeToo · 16/04/2009 22:48

My ds attends one of the schools in your list toolate.

He is in year 2 (so in his last year), 3 boys have left since he started in Reception, so there is definitely movement in later years if you do not get a place staright away.

If Orchard and Ravenscourt will not accept a registration fee, I would register at more schools (even all of them if you can) and give yourself more options. If they know that you would be willing to consider a place that comes up mid-year or after Reception, then they will be more likely to conact you if a place comes up, iyswim.

In most of those schools, the boys leave in year 2/3 but the girls are expected to stay on til 11 yrs. However, some girls do leave with the boys because their parents would rather they sit 7+ than 11+. So, even if you do not get in staright away, you may find places come up after year 2/3. I know my sons school often have places further up and welcome them being filled with open arms.

Lots of parents hold more than one offer and do not make a decision until nearer the time. Quite a few in ds' year did. So there will be a lot of movement in the spring before your dd is due to start in Reception.

The long and short of it is that I agree all is not lost, there is every chance of a place- particularly in today's economic climate.

Good luck. May 'see' you at ds' school (dd is due to start in September, even though he leaves then).

jujumaman · 17/04/2009 12:01

That could well be the one EB

It's a combination of siblings, improved reputation and credit crunch, methinks. And useless council not building enough schools in the area because they assume everyone will go private. Hope your dd is happy at the school. It looks lovely

Elibean · 17/04/2009 19:04

Ah, Jujumaman

It is lovely, and you're right, silly silly borough not building more schools. We looked at 2 private and both nearest state primaries (including L) and vastly preferred L to the others we saw. dd's Reception class is 10 over the maximum numbers, because for the first time ever there wasn't a big drop-out to private schools....no one has left, in fact. So they've split the class into two small ones, but I don't think they have the space to do that again, unfortunately.

I hope your dd is happy wherever she is going now, and that you are happy there as a parent, too.

Hijack over, sorry OP

Elibean · 17/04/2009 19:12

Should qualify: I think its lovely, as does dd....but when I was telling people at dd's pre-school last year where she was going, I had some hilarious raised eyebrows and polite expressions

jujumaman · 17/04/2009 20:23

Elibean

I got lots of "It's meant to be great" on announcing dd was off there. Like you I far preferred it to other local options.

Anyway, it's not to be now - doubtless to the relief of many! Good luck with your dd's time there.

Elibean · 17/04/2009 20:44

Thanks.

I suspect our dds would get on rather well

Miggsie · 18/04/2009 18:53

...my friend was 34 on the waiting list of a popoular private school...offered a place last week for Sept!

Elibean · 18/04/2009 20:43

OTOH, one of dd's friends was 2nd on the list for our other local primary, and still hasn't been offered a place now (still on list). I think it really can depend on luck, situation, how many other schools there are in the borough, etc.

Hopefully this one is unusual, though!

JChadha · 27/08/2009 12:11

Not sure how you got on toolatetoprivatelyeducate but we live in Brackenbury and had trouble getting into the local good state schools but had a last minute offer from Ravenscourt which we accepted at the end of June. Lots of girls dropped out and as we had a daughter, we got a call. We never registered her on her first birthday (had, as expected, lots of other things on our mind with a new baby) and were always told that we had no chance of getting in so do keep trying - even if it means moving your child during the first time as they always have lots of drop outs. Good luck - know how you feel - we were in the same boat and its not nice...

NappyValleyMum · 02/03/2010 12:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SeaTrek · 02/03/2010 14:07

I agree - I think it is a bit of a scam, too.

My SIL has her three, pretty average, children in 'competetive' and 'academic' private schools in west London and there were no names on list at two!

SeaTrek · 02/03/2010 14:09

competitive
oh and the grammar

wheelsonthebus · 03/03/2010 15:16

new to this thread, but yes:

a place at the school we had wanted (although ultimately did not send dc to, for financial reasons) opened up in Reception when a pupil's father was transferred to New York for his job. It definitely happens. The credit crunch has also opened up places. But it is definitely worth going to open days at the school of your choice and making yourself personally known to the 1) registrar and 2) head, and keeping in email contact every six months or so. Get your name down too for 'occasional places'.

follygirl · 08/03/2010 14:14

We were actually really late in getting our dd into her independent school. The assessments had happened in January and in November (Reception had already started in September) we attended the Open Day and found out that they did have spaces. She had to have an interview with the Headmistress and the Head of Pre-prep and was offered a place. Tbh I didn't realise that it was a big deal and hadn't coached her at all. She started the year late (missed nearly 3 months) and did spend a fair bit of time catching up but she is doing really well and is now in Y1.
I don't want to name her school but it is a very reputable one in Herts.
If I were you I'd contact the schools directly and find out if there are places if you have missed the assessment deadline.
Good luck.

ricks · 02/12/2010 14:03

gr8 discussion thread!can anyone pls tell me what they ask for preschool assessments? my dd is to appear for putney high this jan for reception.

thebelletolls · 02/12/2010 17:29

Agree with Scienceteacher about calling Registrars. Offer to come in and look at school. They would like to think you are keen on their school and not just desperate maybe. It's a mystery how my ds school works. We know people who had their children down for a couple of years before Reception, they didn't get in and now there is space in Year 1 when they were still hoping for a place, two other children came in instead. Sorry - no other practical advice though.

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