Yr 1 or 7+ to avoid 11+

[itsmehere1]

We’re trying to decide what’s best for our DD who is currently in reception at an outstanding-rated state school with a class size of 24. She’s happy there, though we feel she could be more challenged.

Our original plan was to move her to a private school at 7+, but we’ve now received an in-year offer for Year 1. The cost would be around extra £2k per month, not a financial strain, but a significant amount that could instead be saved for her future.
Our main reason for considering private school was to avoid the intense 11+ pressure. We’ve heard a lot about how stressful the process can be, and we’d prefer to bypass that if possible.
Given our situation, what would you do?

1. Accept the Year 1 offer now.
2. Stick with the plan and try for 7+, seeing if she gets an offer.
3. Keep her in state school and prepare for 11+.

Depends on school choice and location.

Isn't this your 2nd identical thread?

I’d take the 11+ question out of it. It’s too far away and you don’t know your child’s academic abilities.

Look instead to any other benefits. If they’re clear to you and outweigh any concerns, then move her for those. If you don’t think the benefits are clear, leave her where she is.

If you can afford it, the earlier you get them in the better.

School selective private and all through in London

Thanks! Currently the benefits don’t outweigh the concerns at yr1 but potentially will at 7+ and 11+

Yes that’s where I’m stuck. Can afford but questioning if it’s put to best use now or later.

I agree. The kind of school that suits you and your child now might well not suit so wellas they progress through key stage two.

Great points! There's a lot to think about. It’s challenging to choose a school based on her current personality, however even if we have a clearer understanding later, there’s no guarantee she’ll secure a spot at the best-fit school.

Parents move their kids into a school that takes the pressure of 11+ off the table, so DC can still sit those exams without the pressure of nowhere to go in year 7. So some do the super selective options grammar and London day school without the fear of not knowing where DC can end up. Those that do this would not sit 5 or 6 schools registration fees and exams and only do 2 favoured options.
DCs move all the time for Sixth form too so you not stuck in one school as options open up at later stages.

Agreed, it seems like a sensible approach that balances ambition with security. Our main concern is whether we’re being too cautious and spending to avoid the intense pressure or if we should simply accept it as part of the process.

Suggest reading MN SW London 11+ threads, wait list and a few no place offered from the past 3 years to give an idea of the intense pressure. One fact is the VAT meant families that did boarding options now may prefer London day schools at cheaper fee levels.

Just bear in mind that all through schools won’t prepare your child for 11+ so if you move her now and then in years 4 or 5 feel that the school isn’t the best fit as she’s got older, you will still need to prepare for 11+. Although there might be less of a gap for 11+ readiness between independent primary compared to state primary, you child will still need to get familiar with the different exam techniques of other schools, possibly through tutoring. You will at least still have the yr 7 place at your all through school but if you do make the decision to prepare her in yrs 4 or 5 for a move at 11+ you might have all already mentally checked out of current private school. Some DCs move from state to independent around yr 4 and 5 to avoid the 11+ as by then there’s a better feel for which schools suit.

“We’re trying to decide what’s best for our DD who is currently in reception at an outstanding-rated state school with a class size of 24.”

Sounds like you are already an almost private school experience for free!

24 kids is VERY lucky in state. Just challenge her yourselves and save your money.

I would move her now.

She is happy and doing well - the first few years at school /should be about developing the “soft skills”. From 7+/yr3 things ramp up and all learning through play has gone….let her be little for long as possible. Outstanding state schools are the equivalent to private…..save your money and wait until 7+ as originally planned then you can go prep and she will be tutored at school for 11+ with her peers etc. good luck

7+ and 11+ are brutal for popular schools in London. It’s mega stress and you’re by no means guaranteed a place.

If you want to go private at some point, and money isn’t an issue, I’d grab this with both hands.

Ah, opposing perspectives - that’s exactly what makes this a dilemma! Lots to think about…

Thanks everyone, look forward to hearing more views.

is the place at your ideal school for her to go to secondary school? Or is it “just a place”. That would be a driving factor for me.

Also think about the commute.
How long would the daily commute to the private school?
I did a 50 min drive each morning with 2 small kids to their private school. It was a slog.
this was pre covid when no one worked from home and the roads were busy. We were posted overseas at the time and the school was paid by our employer. So we had no choice but to suck up the commute to the school.
I would not recommend a long commute to school with young kids.

We just came out of a super tiring 11 plus journey. We are based in central London and l, like someone mentioned above, we ended up applying to 6 highly selective schools, ( my DD is in a state primary atm)
She did really well and got into all her choices, but this was an arduous and stressful process for both myself an DD. Despite being in top 5% of her class, DD had a lot of extra learning to do co prepare for the 11+, as the gap between state and prep curriculums sounds huge..
And throughout this process I wished we’d tried 7+, rather than waiting until 11+..
Check what the senior schools is like, what are the children like? Is it a good school for all rounders and solid academically? then I’d move her now.
if you are not sure, then look elsewhere, but don’t wait until 11plus to give your girl more time to enjoy herself in years 4 and 5:)
just an opinion

good luck with whatever choice you make OP