London private primary -reading expectations

[Tessa23]

Does anyone know what is the average reading level for 4yr olds taking entrance tests/starting at the competitive London private primary’s (Ken prep et al?). Thanks

My children are much older so things may have changed but I don't think schools expected the children to be able to read at all at 4. One school (The Hall) went through the letters with my son but that was about it. Some of the. children doing the assessments are only a little older than 3 (if the assessments are in the Autumn).

Some children may be able to read some things when they join but plenty won't. As long as you put in the reading practice, your child should be okay.

We did the assessments for these schools recently and got through. My child was able to recognise most of the letters, but could not read. I'm sure there is a broad spectrum of abilities given the age variation of the children, so wherever your child is at will be sufficient. And, in my opinion, I think the school are more interested in soft skills at this age than having attained reading, writing and arithmetic.

Thank you both- that is really useful and encouraging! It’s just so opaque what they are filtering for really- and I honestly have no idea where my child is re peers on all sorts of comparators.

Stuff that may come up in the assessment:

• drawing a picture of a person;
• having a cheerful conversation with an unfamiliar adult;
• the child listening to a story and then being asked questions on it and what they think happens next;
• something with beads or blocks (fine motor skills).

Very useful thanks! Subject to the vaguaries of them sleeping properly (normally fine but for colds and occasional nightmares)that should be doable as they love that sort of thing!

I don’t think it differs from private to state school.

personally my parents read to me lots before I started school, holding the book in front of me and pointing out the words, and I could already read short sentences when I begun primary. I think the more parents do before school the more likely the child will develop good reading skills quicker. Unless they have something like dyslexia.

a lot of the kids who’s parents didn’t bother are the ones who took longer to catch up.

as for expectations, the school would likely not expect them to read at all at four.