Parental interview this week help ........!!

[Teddingtonmum1]

Applying for a foundation place at Reeds boys school , got an interview with the headmaster & burser this week, am very nervous as I'm totally new to this as told to leave my ds at home and don't want to let him down by messing up .... Any advice helpfully recieved .

We were once interviewed by a school whilst my DS was being interviewed. As always we rocked up, on time which is out of character as we're notoriously bad time keepers, but completely unprepared. After about a minutes the interviewee discovered that he and my DH had a significant mutual interest in common and spent the rest of the interview discussing it. The whole thing seemed a complete waste of time. I think schools are looking for parents who really want to send their DC there, who've read the website done the visit and really believe in it, parents who've fully signed up to its ethos; pushy, liberal, musical, arty what ever, so if loads of prep and A*s are your priority don't apply to a sporty arty school with mediocre results. Or vice versa.
If the foundation place depends on your circumstances e.g. Single mum or limited finances be prepared to answer more personal questions in particular about earnings etc, prove to them that you've done the figures, worked out how much you can realistically afford what you are giving up. I know from previous threads you have problems with your DS's father I wouldn't labour on his failings/lack of cooperation trust me it makes you look like trouble and no school wants trouble! Instead talk about your commitment to a good education for your DS and the support you will offer him and any sacrifices you personally will make to do this.
Good luck

Hi HG

Oh dear , the situation currently is I'm in the middle of court proceedings I'm not even going to have the final say on where my ds goes the judge will. Father is contesting any type of boarding CH is out even though weekly boarding doesn't affect his access , but father intent on sabotaging every effort that I'm trying to make with regards to schools nor is he putting his hand in his pocket for anything but not offering any other solution, stressed is an understatement, and ds is now in counselling as totally confused and split loyalties just want to get through January exams and back to court in February ......

Tm

I feel very sorry for you OP you are clearly in a very difficult and unsettling time. But my advise, don't give all this info at the interview especially the bit about the judge deciding which school your DS will go too this is far too complicated. Or the bit about your husband refusing to pay. Just try and keep the facts brief and unemotional, "my ex husband can't contribute anything towards the fees I'm afraid" etc.
Emphasise your DS's strong points and your commitment to his education and the school.
Do come back and let us know how you got on