Churcher’s College Rejection - Where Next?

[TreeMeadow]

My son has just been rejected for a place at Churcher’s College (Petersfield). I realise we will now be late applicants, but I’m desperate to find him a private place somewhere. To be honest, I thought it was a given he would gain a place at Churcher’s so foolishly didn’t apply elsewhere. Which other private schools would people recommend in the local area, we have only been here 6 months, so I don’t know it too well. It needs to be good pastorally and be open to late applications e.g. not oversubscribed. I am prepared to travel into Surrey and Hampshire.

TIA

Have you made a state school application? If not, get one in pronto as a late applicant so at least he has a school in September or is on waiting lists from the outset.

Yes, I have, but I am not keen on TPS which is part of the Bohunt trust. I really need recommendations for local private schools who people have experience of or know of them being undersubscribed or open to late applicants. We live in Petersfield.

How old is he?

Sorry he is Year 6, so this is for Year 7 entry in September.

No worries! What are you thinking for senior school as that could influence where you pick for the next 2 years.

Thanks - It is senior school we need, I don’t want a prep school, I’d like Year 7 - Year 11 at a minimum.

Ditcham Park? Seaford? I’ve got 2 friends with children in Seaford and they absolutely love it.
I assume you’ve ruled out Bedales?

I’ve rang both of those and they said they’ve given out places and have a waiting list. Do you have any idea how the waiting list works e.g are these schools likely to end up with places available in a couple of months? Do they have a high rejection rate of places?

OP, you are doing the right thing ringing up the schools. It will be quite hard for parents to know about acceptance rates etc, especially as VAT changes will have changed the dynamics in the last couple of years.

Are the schools you are ringing asking you to sit any late assessments before they add you to lists?

Phone The Good Schools Guide. Seriously. That's what we did in similar circumstances and it was well worth it.

They said they have made all of their offers and also have wait lists, but to get back in touch around Easter.

Thanks sounds promising will do that tomorrow.

My children still in Prep, but from what I’ve heard places often become available. If you think of it like uni, some children will get multiple offers and can only accept one. I suggest asking if you can be added to waiting lists if possible. There may be a cost though? I’m not sure.
How far are you willing to travel? I can imagine Cranleigh has a waiting list, but might be worth a phonecall. L Theres a very small school in Chichester that’s Pre prep right up to senior, but as I said it’s quite small. The only reason I know about it is because it’s near Goodwood.

Have you thought about prep for 2 years and then senior for year 9? A decent prep will help you get a place that suits you and your child as a late applicant.

I think you can definitely be hopeful for a waitlist place. The sector isn’t exactly thriving, schools have empty seats!!

Yes - position will be much clearer in early March after state school offers and acceptance deadlines

Are Seaford and Ditcham popular schools? What is the likelihood of a waiting list place? Sorry I’m not too familiar with the area, so don’t really know. They also want money to sit their tests to hopefully be added to waiting lists so I don’t want to spend hundreds if no hope.

I’ll look at Cranleigh and contact them tomorrow, thanks for the suggestion.

Seaford is a big school, Ditcham smaller. Seaford big on sport and drama etc AND academics to complement each other.
I know Seaford has a very good SEND department from what my friend says as her son has dyslexia and ADHD. I believe they also have a very big pastoral team that’s quite targeted.
I know almost zero about Ditcham. Sorry.

Seaford and Ditcham are both popular (there’s no sixth form at Ditcham).

Have you looked at Great Ballard? No idea what it’s like though.

Have you absolutely ruled out all state schools?

That doesn’t bode well if they are both popular.

Does anyone know how the waiting lists work? If my son was to outperform someone who is already on the waiting list, would he get offered a place before them?

There is probably a greater chance of Seaford then as they may have more spaces to fill vs a smaller school like Ditcham, would you say?

St Edmunds Hindhead have mini buses from Petersfield I think, or did. Goes up to 16.

You could try MRC in Midhurst (state school) but if you're in Petersfield itself you’d be outwith the catchment and unlikely to get a place. Maybe worth asking though.

Forgot about St Ed’s! OP worth phoning them too

Thanks, another I’ve added to the list for enquiry tomorrow!

All the local state schools are just too big. I also do not like that TPS is under the Bohunt umbrella, and Bohunt’s last ofsted downgraded them.