Preparing an average-ability boy for 7+ at top London schools

[Blink888]

Has anyone got experience of prepping an average‑ability boy for 7+ entry to the top academic schools in London (Westminster, St Paul’s, King’s)? My son is Winter born and started Reception in September 2025 at a pre‑prep that isn’t very pushy or academic, so they follow a state‑school‑style programme. He is doing fine and seems to be happy there, but I’ve noticed that I can’t really stretch him beyond the school curriculum at the moment. He’s stronger in reading and phonics, but his maths is at about average aptitude.
I’m wondering—are there any realistic chances at all for this kind of profile? Does anyone have experience with this? I’m open to starting tutoring in Year 1, but I don’t want to waste money, stress myself out, or damage his mental health.

I am also a teacher, but sixth form.

I don’t think we can truly judge a person’s intellect during their primary years, as children grow and develop at different rates. That’s with the exception of learning difficulties, which of course will limit what a child can achieve.

A child might seem bright and almost like a child genius at 8 or 9 years old, but that doesn’t mean they’ll excel later at A-level and beyond. I’ve seen pupils with straight grades 9 at GCSE, and A*s back in the day, who were then mediocre at A level and scraped a B in maths and physics, or who dropped out when they thought it was too difficult.

@daisydaisydais128 similar here - knew someone of near mensa level iq who went to one of the top schools, did reasonably well at gcses, failed badly at a levels - they were autistic and struggled with the college dynamic. Went onto doing great things but much later on that the norm of fantastic a levels-->fantastic degree->work

@Methreeme Yes, I think too many people fall into the trap of thinking that because a child is ahead in reading, maths, or whatever it may be in primary school (or even secondary), they are a kind of genius. 95% of people can be trained to excel in school level education; it’s mainly learning facts and learning skills that you can apply (exam technique being one). Hardly anyone is a genius. It’s a once in a generation occurrence, if that.

If 95 % of kids can be taught to excel how are so many not excelling. I don't actually agree with that and also just because a child doesn't achieve the highest grades doesn't mean they aren't gifted. The lrish system means every kid has to sit lrish, for example but they may hate that and be gifted at Maths. They also all have to sit Maths but be gifted with words but that doesn't take away from how strong they are.