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

Really?

It seems like you haven’t really looked your nearest state option. It’s well above both the LA and the England averages for attainment.

I’m going to investigate Bedales tomorrow. You mentioned Ditcham struggling, has this improved since they’ve let more students in? I’m not sure about it now as do not want to disrupt my son’s education partway through.

We only relocated in August so in the midst of that I didn’t have much time to research and to be honest just put TPS on a whim as it’s close, then did some research after.

I can imagine a large majority of that is EAL rather than ordinary SEND needs. EAL skews the data.

My son doesn’t have SEN so I’m not sure that would work then.

They had lots leave after the VAT changes, but their accounts are listed so I’d say ask them talk to them as it’s a lovely school if any of your children need a small supportive school, the kids are very close. Just bear in mind it doesn’t go to a levels.

Ok - you can certainly accept the TPS place and ask to be added to waitlists of any other state school you prefer after offer day

How waitlists work for private will probably vary by school. So they may be silent on the matter to you. Right now you aren’t a greatly attractive “bet” for the waitlist as you didn’t like their school enough to apply in the first place and someone will have to administer the tests and interviews on an individual or small group basis. Plus it is clear that you would take the Churcher’s waitlist place if offered it.

(DS1 applied to two schools and managed to tell the less favoured one in interview that he preferred the other one. I’m not saying that’s the only reason he didn’t even get waitlisted but it can’t have helped 😀 he got a place at the favoured school so worked out ok but yikes!)

Thanks, hopefully they are recovering after the VAT, so many private schools were impacted. I’ll keep it in my peripheral.

That’s not entirely true, they are classed in the top 10% nationally academically, they just provide excellent support for the students that need extra help, running at 30% currently and private schools report differently so dyslexia will be SEN.

ALL private schools have SEN percentages as lots of parents who can move their children from state for extra support but this in no way impacts the school and they have the facilities and smaller class numbers to help.

Thats why the VAT Increase was a toxic move as many SEN students were impacted first.

my DS are not SEN i just know and understand the schools.

If TPS is your worst case scenario you're in a very lucky position!

Oh that is a funny story! So pleased for your son for getting his preferred option.

TPS always has a good number of wealthy middle class parents if that’s what you are worried about.
The TPS kids is our cohort ended up at the same or higher ranked unis than their / PGS friends. Careers seem to be more in line with parents wealth than senior school choice

One of the best things about Petersfield is that it is both wealthy and inclusive. Part of its semi rural roots. Did you come here from London by any chance?

Yes, from London, how stereotypical!

I see, I was thinking a SEN school in the traditional sense, not dyslexia.

Petersfield has always been attractive to the DFL as it’s an easy commute.

I’m a bit non plussed about the reluctance about the outstanding local state school - I wonder if OP had moved Winchester whether they’d be as sniffy about state schools.

Starting to think you work at TPS. OP wants private. It’s not that deep.

OP isn’t being sniffy her post is about churches “where next” she didn’t ask for advice on state schools locally?

That’s not sniffy, it’s just what her post is about, I don’t think she expected to get hounded by TPS, TPS…. “oh from london are we”

No I don’t work at TPS.

But then I don’t think private necessarily buys you a better experience / guaranteed results over an outstanding state school on your doorstep.

£18 - £25k per year buys you an awful lot of top up tutoring / extra curriculars / sports clubs.

Salesian College in Farnborough might be worth considering if you are not too far. Boys travel in from the Farnham area, with a few from Haslemere/Godalming/Guildford way

Well the ‘where next’ is obviously joining waiting lists if you want private. Because that’s what OP has already been told.

Sure. But OP clearly is happy with taking that chance and spending that money hence asking about private schools, on the private school thread….
You seem to be taking it personally.

Not heard of that one, thanks I’ll add it to the list.

I am feeling more optimistic about a place at
Churcher’s from this thread, I assumed waitlist was a soft no and very unlikely to get a place.

Not at all.

I just think OP has decided that the local state option is rubbish when most people would be delighted to get a place at an outstanding school that’s performs well above the LA and national average.

Agreed!!!