11+ support thread for year 7 starting 2026

[NookAndCrannying]

Just wandering if anyone else is in the final throws of indie prep for 11+ with their dcs? Last furlong now it seems on what feels like an incredibly long race!

JAGS 11+ outcomes are out!
My DD got offer from JAGS! Wish best for all of you! xxx

Ah massive congrats! Hope you’re celebrating wildly!

@NookAndCrannying thank you so much☺️

Huge congratulations @drdee x

My DS got an offer at 7pm last night from the Oxfordshire indy he wanted! Such a huge relief after over a year of prepping!

Ah congrats…

Congrats all so far - its such as relief isn't it. Like you can finally sleep and not feel uncertain!

My son got an offer at Forest School in Walthamstow, he is delighted! Now waiting for Highgate results today.

We also got our Nr 1 choice- GHS 🎉
congrats to everyone!

Hi Mums, hope you are well.
Our DD has received offers from South Hampstead High School, CLSG and Godolphin & Latymer at 11+.
Would greatly appreciate any feedback if someone has been in a similar situation or has daughters at these schools.
Thank you so much!!

@NWMumofDD Hi, my DD also received 11+ offer from City of London Girls, JAGS and academic scholarship from her current GDST school! Its hard to decide isn't it!

DD got into Highgate! Good luck to everyone else still waiting

Congratulations! My DD is in Year 7 at Forest so if you want any info, feel free to ask. I remember how nerve wracking it was this time last year!

Thanks that is so kind - its is SUCH a relief. Did your DD come from a state school or prep? Hope she has settled in well and made new friends? We loved the school when we visited, and liked its holistic ethos.

She came from state school. We chose it for the holistic ethos and we loved the grounds and facilities. We were sold on the idea of a rounded education and I’m pleased to say the reality is exactly that! The timetable is a logistical marvel of academic subjects and co-curricular. DD has learned to cook and got a drone licence, in between Latin and history! She was not at all sporty in primary but has embraced it at Forest and played hockey and football matches - two sports she had never played before.

She’s made lots of friends, joined lots of clubs and taken part in lots of house events. All in all we are delighted. DD1 is a real all rounder so we felt Forest was right for her. DD2 is very different and we weren’t sure it would suit her when the time comes but having got to know the school now, we feel it’s a place where everyone can find their tribe and their passion and we hope she’ll go there too. Let me know if you have any specific questions at all.

Thanks - your note already answers quite a few questions tbh which is how is school life and what you describe sounds perfect for my son - it sounds like your DD has done really well!! Specifically though (thanks again!) it would be good to know

1. what extras besides the fees, uniform etc do we need to budget for - is lunch included and clubs - do they take childcare vouchers? Just trying to work out how much of the co-curricular we can afford
2. how well do they help year 7s settle? I know it can be a super difficult time as they go from a cuddly primary to a 'big school' where they have to navigate and get to class on time, presumably also organise themselves, email teachers (?) - my DS is pretty organised, but also, he is only 11! Also, how big are classes?
3. how does your DD travel in? Our only worry is travel taking up a fair bit of the day, as he'd need to take the Forest bus from Hackney morning and eve. Do you know if they run a couple of buses in the evening - in case he wants to stay after school for a club?

Thanks!

Lunch and extracurricular clubs are all included in the fees, as are all trips apart from residential / overseas.

There are 22 children in each class. They switch the classes around every year but they stay in their form all the way through school. They have form time twice a day, morning and after lunch.

I thought the settling in was good. They have an induction day and a session for parents with advice. The form tutor is their (and your) first port of call for any concerns or questions, whether pastoral or academic. They will then escalate if need be. For the first few weeks I was very hands on with asking DD if she had homework or needed to email a teacher about a music lesson etc. Now she seems to have it sorted and they’re clear on letting children make mistakes and learn - they expect this. It did feel like a step up from cuddly primary but the school assured us that they will adapt. DD would forget her head if it wasn’t screwed on but she seems to be thriving with the independence and loves checking her emails etc. No idea how DD2 will fare if she goes but I do feel confident the school will support her if she struggles.

She gets the school coach from north London. They don’t have a late coach, but DD does all her clubs at lunchtime. They seem to squeeze a lot into the school day. I’ve had to do a few late pick ups when she’s had a house rehearsal / event but not regularly. There are Saturday matches if your child plays in a team (and there are a lot of teams!). There has been feedback from parents that a late coach would be helpful but remains to be seen if they will action it.

Homework has not been heavy in Year 7 which I’ve been happy with as it’s given her a chance to adapt to the longer day. But she is definitely pushed academically and I’m pleased with the feedback on her progress.

Hope this helps! Feel free to DM me if you want to chat further so we don’t derail this thread :)

Thanks so much - yes will DM. Good luck everyone on your secondary school results and journeys!

Are you get anything from Highgate?

Yes we did - no offer for us - but TBH Forest was always his favourite as the cricket and drama facilities are amazing, so we’re all good. Highgate is exceptionally tough to get into so we’re had our eyes open, and he enjoyed the experience.
How about you?

We are on short reverse list for Highgate. I think because we applied bursary. So we have to wait now..n

Fingers crossed for you - I hear there is a LOT of churn so if it’s a short list you’ve got a good chance.