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

But if the OP's DS didn't get an immediate offer to Churcher's, is he likely to get an offer to PGS? It's pretty selective.

Really? Which other schools are those who applied to Churcher’s likely to also have applied to?

Quite a few have suggested it would be Churcher’s/Bedales/Ditcham as the three in the mix.

Possibly not - depends on where he fell short. The head at Churchers interviews everyone, which apparently forms a big part of their assessment along with CAT scores, school reference etc. It’s not as if they just go through the exam results offering to the top x number of students like a grammar school would. And none of these schools (other than RGS/GHS) are as academically selective as people often assume (and the schools make out). Interviews, extra curriculars and references play a huge role. They like kids who will get involved in everything the school has to offer.

My point was more that if you liked Churchers as a school, PGS is more similar in ethos, type of student etc than Bedales. Therefore thinking about what is the right school is more important than just looking for any school with a year 7 place (and as you rightly say, PGS would probably waitlist at best at this point anyway).

Ditcham possibly, but probably suits a less robust child than Churchers. Bedales, absolutely not. Other than location, they havre nothing in common. Day school v largely boarding. 11+ entry v 13+. Uniform v non-uniform. Academically focused v arty. Home counties conservative v super-liberal/global wealth (a stereotype of course, but Bedales is very marmite - look at their alumni).

RGS (not suggesting that as an option for your son, just answering your question), King Edward’s Witley, Seaford, perhaps St Eds in Hindhead. And then the local state schools in Petersfield, Liphook and Farnham. Churchers attracts people from a relatively wide area, many commuting by train.

It depends where they live. For those on the northern/eastern end of Churcher's reach, the girls may have also applied to Guildford High, St Catherine's, Tormead. For boys, possibly RGS. As people said, possibly Seaford, Lord Wandsworth, St Ed's.

As has been said, what will be a school with a good fit for him? It's also worth considering why he might not have got an offer. If they do offer to 180 as someone suggested, they reckon they have approx 240 at the assessment so 75% of those attending potentially got an offer. Was your son well prepared for the assessment? Did he feel it went ok on the day? Was it material he felt confident with? Did he have enough time to finish? ie was he struggling with the academics of it or just inexperienced in sitting exams? If he is at a state school, a lot of their practice in timed exams comes closer to the SATS in May. How did his interview go?

PGS is a lot less selective than Churchers ime.

We are south coast but from DC3's prep school that stops at year 6 people choose between PGS, PHS, Seaford and Churchers in the main. Some Ditcham, Great Ballard, Boundary Oaks or some of the boarding schools but in much smaller numbers.

Has anyone suggested Salesian College yet? If not too far it’s an absolute hidden gem. I challenge you to find happier pupils anywhere in Hampshire!

Good to know, thanks.

Thanks for the recommendation, it’s a bit of a journey on the trains (he’d have to get multiple). I’ll add this to my list. I am keeping everything crossed that he is accepted from the waiting list as it is the best fit for him and also is the best school logistically.

Of the schools mentioned, could someone let me know which are more likely to have spaces in March / April so I can narrow it down a little?

PGS has been undersubscribed the past couple of years.

That’s good to know, however does unsubscribed mean may be in trouble?

I doubt it.

Its an excellent school with excellent reuptation.

I live several hundred miles away from your area at the moment, but if i ever came back, it's where I would send my children, and I would make sure I moved close enough to train station on either the Chichester or Petersfield train line for them to attend easily.

(My children attend a different private school near where we live)

Does that mean the entrance exam can be overlooked? Or are they sacrificing customers in exchange for higher standards?

If so, respect to them.

I dont think they are in trouble, it's a well funded historical school. There were rumours of some bad behaviour, a couple of heads left in reasonably quick succession and they just lost out a bit in the local jostle (Seaford had a run of popularity where they could pick and choose and ran waiting lists). Churchers is always considered the pickiest round here. PHS also has spaces in one of my daughters' years. Its not like say, Guildford round here!

Bedales has entry at 11 and 13 (Block 1 in Bedales Prep, and Block 3 in Bedales). Also sixth form.

Thanks that’s really helpful local knowledge.

I’ve just seen that St Eds have an open day tomorrow. They are apparently also still taking applications for year 7 in September.

Where did you see they are still accepting applications for Year 7?

It’s on their website: www.saintedmunds.co.uk/admissions/11-13-entry

We live nearby - I saw the yellow AA signs for the Open Morning tomorrow and was curious, so looked at their website.

Thank you, I am going to attend the open morning tomorrow, I am pleased that it is Co-ed, that is my preference.

Good luck with everything!

Great Ballard is lovely. Small but busy and great GCSE results. Think Year 6 into Year 7 is quite full but worth a ring.