What's in a 'readiness assessment'?

[Scirocco]

Looking at school options for a family member and the private school websites refer to 'readiness assessments' for pre-school and P1 entry. I'm assuming they're looking for more than the readiness of the parents' finances, but can't see what they're actually assessing. Is there a guide somewhere to the formats of these so people can prepare?

I think it will be just a chat with the child to see what they are like. Can they follow instructions etc. Nothing you can really prepare for. I didn't do anything when my children sat these assessments.

Thanks @Musicaltheatremum . Are they likely to take into consideration things like nursery/preschool reports, etc? Family member is bright but ND and likely to be non-verbal at first contact with anyone.

Might be worth speaking to the private school as the nurseries don't always know where you have applied....it's not like going into the local primary school where they might send things on.

I was about to say they are to screen out SEN...

They are checking the child is ready to start learning in their type of environment

Ah. That's a bit of a shame. Family member is bilingual (also knows a few words in another two languages, but only really reads, writes and communicates consistently in their two main ones), great at maths already, has a rather scientific mind in some respects, also loves sports... But tends to take a couple of contacts to 'warm up' enough to interact. Even at 4, they'd probably do better with a written exam or set of puzzles laid out, than with a chat with a stranger.

Do you think I should tell their parents to look into home ed with tutors instead? They're worried about the class sizes and teacher ratios in state schools.

For context, not my child! My DC is younger so I've no experience of getting a P1 place anywhere. The child in question is currently 3.

Worth trying private and see if they take him.

Personally I'd say give state a chance to see of it works. If he can't cope due to ND then state will find out and he can get the Scottish equivalent of EHCP (education and health care plan, previously statement of special educational needs, or something). Selectively home edding keeps hom out of the system which might make getting help, if needed later, harder.

Thanks. He's a great wee kid, it can just take a while to get him out his shell. Diagnosis was pretty young as it was very apparent, but he's got a ton of strengths. Maybe there's a 'reasonable adjustments' option to at least get him to see the assessment setting and assessor in advance...

This may be very unfair, but I feel as if any school who has an assessment to get in age 4 is going to want children who have no need of reasonable adjustments, as they may be too much effort later. People pay money to go private so their children get small classes and attention. They don't want attention being diverted to children with SEN.

Whereas a private school with no assessment for entry age 4 may be just the ticket.

Are there any that don't have assessments for 4 year olds? I hadn't seen any?

It depends how competitive /academic the school is. If it’s a feeder for academic preps etc then they will be looking for the kids that are most likely to move onto those top schools. So kids who will listen to the teacher etc will be preferred because they are the ones who are most likely to keep up the good leavers destinations.

If it’s a less academic place then it will depend on demand and their attitude towards SN. Some will be nurturing and kind and have experience with dealing with kids like your nephew. I assume that the parents have made some preliminary checks on that angle.

Some private schools are first come first served and don’t have an assessment.

Is the school from 4 to 18? If nephew isn’t likely to do well in tests then it will hopefully mean a less stressful school experience because he won’t have to do 13+ /11+ etc

Thanks! I think he's likely to do well academically in the right environment - I know people are always biased about family, but he's genuinely bright. I think a run-through school would probably be best for him for consistency, if we can find something suitable. He'd also probably be good at hockey and rugby as he loves running, throwing and hitting things with sticks!

I don't think you can beat talking directly to schools of interest, private schools vary in approach to SEN as state schools do.