Help pls: Feeder school vs all through

[justasmalltownmum]

Hello

Need some advice please.

DC sat 7+ for 2 schools that are all through up to age of 18. They are very competitive and academic.

As a back up, DC also sat at the nearby feeder school. Which only goes up to year 6.

Feeder school - have been in contact to offer a place. They want us to accept within a week, which is BEFORE the results of the other 2.

What would you do?
Thanks!

What is your preference? If it isn’t the feeder school, how much of a long shot is your preferred choice?

what is the penalty if you accept but then back out of the feeder school?

Preference is one of the all through schools, but it is very hard to get in to.

To accept the feeder school, they would want a deposit which would be non refundable if we then cancel the space before September.

Hmm. They know what they are doing and are trying to bag students before the others. It’s off putting surely. Also trying to make a fast buck from people who feel exactly the same as you and may lose their deposits if they then get the other offers later. Might it be worth checking out their accounts/finances online to feel sure they are very secure, if they are likely to be the second/third choice of most locals, particularly as many independent schools are struggling of late, made worse after the VAT issues for parents? I’d also be asking around re the parents in the year above, to find out if they gained places later in the year rather than being pushed into it immediately and how ‘oversubscribed’ they really are. Many independents near me are very keen for students in the current climate…particularly those with less competitive entry requirements, but it may be different where you live in which case maybe you have to take the hit.

Lots of feeder schools set their deadlines like this, and it's shit.

The options are

• pay the deposit and be OK with losing it should you get the first choice
• settle for the feeder school
• gamble on getting the first choice.

Which one you do depends on whether you can afford to lose the deposit, how confident you are about the first choice, and what the fall back (state?) options are if you end up with no selective place.

Good luck!

Call the other schools. Explain the situation. Ask if they’ll tell you early.

call the school that made the offer and explain why you can’t respond in their time frame.

Most schools offer places at the same time so parents aren’t in this position. For y7 places, the private schools have a closing date after state school offers, so families don’t have their hand forced like this. This tells you something about the school that made the offer.

Given the current VAT situation, most preps will have places most of the time. Every prep school in our area now has places.
I'd hold out for the all-throughs. You'll thank yourself in year 5/6 when it significantly reduces the pressure of 11+.
The all-throughs are also more likely to survive, whereas some preps are going to go bust.