Bute vs Glendower vs Ken Prep vs Falkner

[deanstreet]

Hi, DD got admitted into Bute, Glendower, Ken Prep for reception.
She luckily got drawn in the main ballot which we didn't expect, and also passed the 4+ assessments at Glendower, Ken Prep, and Falker.

Given all those schools are not far apart and we already live in that triangle, commute isn't a primary concern. What is a primary factor for us is getting into SPGS or Westminster at 11+.

Even Bute has the best 11+ record, it is primarily bolstered by the 7+ cohort, so I am not sure if its "non-selective" 4+ cohort is even of the same quality as the other schools. I am leaning towards Ken Prep at the moment as it has the least "posh" feel among the list. My family is not wealthy, we don't own a house or car and will commute by bicycle, so will feel out of touch in the South Ken community.

How is that possible..? Glendower and Falkner and KP have not had their assessments yet…

I would caution against having SPGS or Westminster as your ‘primary factor’. She is only 3 or 4 - you have no idea what she will be like in a few years and what type of school would suit her so I wouldn’t choose a Prep based on the likelihood of her getting into either of these schools. Go for the one that feels right for now. ( if you do indeed have offers from all- I don’t know the timelines)

We have Glendower and Falkner in Jan… is there “ANOTHER” way of getting accepted there?

Happy to give specific feedback on Glendower - send me a PM

General advice is go on the tours, talk to the head and teachers and go with instinct. There is not much between them from my knowledge. There will be fairly equal amount of ‘wealth’ perhaps Ken prep a bit more grounded than the rest. But I would
not decide on that basis. There are plenty to of not super wealthy people at all of these schools.

It is NOT possible to hold a 4+ reception spot for Sep26 for Falkner, Glendower or Kensington Prep already.

My DD goes to one of the mentioned schools and the 4+ assessments are in Jan. There is no other way you can get a spot.

Even nursery children at these schools are assessed and may or may not be offered a spot..

I am guessing the OP was about to start selling 4+ tutoring or other similar service based on the DC supposed stellar performance… though you would hope tutors would know the assessment timings.

For those who questioned the assessment timing, the assessments were done earlier because of Camden council's involvement in our family.

According to your original post you live either in RBKC or H&F council (eg the triangle). Also I very much doubt either council will get actively involved in private schools assessments - they are busy enough with state schools.

Not when my husband is connected to Camden council. It is not a fair game.

None of this makes any sense!

Can you please elaborate? It sounds like fraud to me

What does Camden council have to do with private admissions? Odd and anyway, I would want my dc to get into school because of their own merit, especially if you have your eyes on academic secondary education for the future....

This really doesn’t sound right….

Also, how would you know your dc passed the assessments when no one else took an exam? Normally, with academic assessments, the pass mark changes from year to year, depending on how the cohort did. It may be different for the 4+, but that is how it is for the 11+

It sounds a bit unlikely to me so I am not going to comment on the schools (we used one of those mentioned)

How have you heard you're in?

I don't think this can be true. OP has posted elsewhere that she did not get a place through the ballot for Bute. Very odd.

OP, if you are still here I want to reassure you that none of these schools will guarantee you a place at SPGS or Westminster. And I want you to know that it is perfectly possible to get into these secondary schools from a completely ordinary state primary with minimal tutoring. DD did it and I know loads more who have done the same.

However, given that your child must still be very young, please don't put pressure on her for schools like this since you have no idea if it's appropriate for her or not. They are well known to be highly selective and it's pressure nobody needs in their life.

Your best course of action is to pick a school that you and your daughter love and that will nurture her and make her happy - and wait a bit before you do. Children can change a lot between 4 and 11!

we recently went on a Glendower tour and would be immensely grateful for any feedback from current parents