Relocating - year 9 admissions

[Olutor]

My DD and I are relocating to UK in a couple of months. I'm a total novice at this school's application process as we left the UK seven years ago! She's been in the American system but now of course we're switching to the British system so many potential obstacles !? She's on the waiting list for entrance exams to Latymer grammar - year 9 (we have a flat in North London) but I can't/ don't know how to get hold of past papers. Can anyone help please? We are also willing to be based anywhere in the UK for the right schools as my work is based on-line. So please any other ideas for school districts would be really appreciated. I'm terrified of letting her down with my ignorance about the system. Many thanks in advance

So she will be going into year 9 in September?

Have Latymer given you any indication of how likely it is they will have a place (I wouldn't think it was highly likely). Are you looking at State schools?

For State schools you move to an area and then apply for a place through the LA, which has to find you a place but it may not be at your prefered school. However you can then appeal for any schools you prefer.

I would think that any Grammar schools are unlikely to have places, as people tend not to move from them much.

Is your DD going into year 9 in September or already in year 9? If the later she will also have to choose her "options" and may not be able to do exactly what she wants. Also a few schools still start the exam subjects in year 9. She will also have to adapt to a different style of teaching and maybe gaps in her knowledge.

Education here is not based on school district like in the US, so living in the right place will not necessarily get you into the right school.

You need to start by thinking of where you can/want to live, based on price and any work considerations and maybe family and friends.

Good luck!

A few grammar schools in Bucks squeeze in children aged 13. These are traditionally children who have not got the pass mark at 11+ so have spent 2 years in a prep school trying to get up to standard. I know several children who have moved to a grammar at 13. Therefore the schools you could contact are Sir Henry Floyd School in Aylesbury and Chesham Grammar School in Chesham. Your DD would have to take exams set by the schools but you would also need to speak to them about whether you need to live in the catchment area at the time of taking the exam. They are responsible for admissions at this age and I would very much consider these Schools. The other grammars may well be full, because there is a pecking order of grammars dictated by parental preference. However, Bucks has a much higher number of children in grammar schools than many other areas because it is a county wide system.

It might be worth asking on the 11 plus forum. There are some very knowlegable people on there. Also in north London there is Henrietta Barnett and St Michael's If you are catholic. As I am sure you are/aware someone will have to leave for you to get a place at these schools.
The education authority will have to find your DD aschool place but this does not have to be at a good school or Close to your house

hello @MillyMollyMummy, @mummytime @Mary21 thank you all for your suggestions. Firstly DD is going into Grade 9 (she's in 7th grade in the US system). I am sure that I am being extremely naive about finding a school, so thank you all for your comments; at this juncture, I would happily pay for a service/navigator at this point! I have heard of the nightmares associated with finding schools in the UK and I know that the grammar schools are super competitive. I'm just hopeful that the universe will align to make things work out for DD.

I will definitely look into the schools you mentioned above. Finding the right school is our number one priority.

We return to the UK at the end of June. Luckily we have a few friends scattered across the UK so I am hopeful that wherever we end up, we will meet wonderful people and make new & lasting friendships! So everything revolves around this 'perfect' school!

Thank you all so much.