For those who held onto offers at Eton and Westminster until the last minute.

[Colleger]

Id be interested to know if more parents end up going for Eton in the end and when they relinquished the other place. So I don't agree with holding onto two places but I am resigned to the fact that this happens. So I won't bash anyone for it, I just want to work out how likely my child will move off the waiting list and when it will happen.

Only £500!

colleger - the schools will be keeping an eye on the academic progress of all the boys on the waiting lists, so I think that it would be worthwhile calling the admissions offices after the summer exams to see if they have begun to put the boys in some sort of ranking depending on their exam performance.

This can give a slightly clearer picture of your DSs place in the list and of his ultimate chance of promotion.

Further to hg's post, the cost of confirming a place at Eton is currently £1500.

The deposit is £3000 at Harrow. I can't imagine there being many families who will pay multiple deposits of this size just to keep their options open.

Not all schools do exams though. Some kids are at state school, alternative schools or even home educated. I go the impression that if a musical boy turned down a place then a musical boy would move off the list. We were also told the waiting list had nothing to do with academics as those on the waiting list already scored very highly on the computer test.

Re; Eton I think you're generally right colleger I remember being told at the Eton parent show round thing that boys on the waiting list had passed the academic test but had not performed so well in the interview/prep school head report, they were watching to see how they "matured" hence the need to keep the school informed every time your son is picked for the first 15 or a lead role in a play or helps an old lady cross the road. At St Pauls I believe they offer out places to those that they really want and are likely to meet their requirement at CE and then put some on the waiting list who are more "boarder line."
Win Coll also has a waiting list dont know how you get off this.

I wonder if parents who undermine the credibility of their prep school head by holding several senior school places for their first child find that the head's references for their subsequent children are less enthusiastic?

HG re Eton, not necessarily. My DS passed his interview with flying colours, but they told us that although he had passed the academic test his maths scores were a 'bit flat'.

In any case, we found the Eton admissions very helpful and informative throughout our time waiting so It's still worth calling them from time to time IMO.

IndridCold the key words here are "passed the academic test" I think you have to pass the academic test to make it into the waiting list. I do agree speak to admissions for whatever school. We've had many friends who've done this and nearly all have found them to be really helpful and also give sensible advise about your individual child's chances.

hg I think we agree, but I just wanted to make the point that not all the boys on waiting lists should be looking to make improvements in the same area. For my DSs it was definitely maths, but that won't necessarily be the case for other boys, and it's as well to find out what that is from the relevant school.

Colleger, just tried to send you message from phone on train and failed.

The school the v musically gifted child gas gone to is Eton.

By chance, sitting in my kitchen at the moment is a young man, ex Winco, v v bright, vv musical. I asked about time etc to do 6+ hours practice, to which he responded that the time wasn't the problem (suspect he did about that) nor the facilities, it was whether you decided to do so, ie if you had the will. He, for example, loathed cross country running and orchestrated his music exams to coincide with such events. It's true he did not go on to eg one of the major music schools but is a freelance musician overwhelmed with commissions for composition and conducting as well as playing.

On the other hand, not that this is v helpful, I know another young man who has gone through compprehensive schooling, graduating from RSM this year, being taught by international specialists, who can't get an orchestral job although he is immensely gifted because he hasn't got the experience and orchestras are cutting back. It's really hard for the young, as well as the old.

Not sure that helps but feel free to pm me.

"I wonder if parents who undermine the credibility of their prep school head by holding several senior school places for their first child find that the head's references for their subsequent children are less enthusiastic?"

Not at all, but this may depend on the prep school. If the prep and head are both strong, the senior school can hardly pressure them for a parent's actions. I can however see the possibility that if either is not rock solid, pressure may be perceived or even applied. Good heads in strong preps will also have worked out which parents are more susceptible to pressure.

RCM, not RSM