private secondary school after state primary

[chisigirl]

We live in an area with fairly good state schools and I have always been happy for my children to be in the public education system. However, the secondary schools aren't too impressive (from what I can make out) and I've always assumed that if DH and I really cut back/save up we can afford to opt out to put DS1 and DS2 in private secondary schools when the time comes.

HOWEVER when I mentioned this in passing to a friend, she said "Don't think they might have a hard time getting a place at private schools after doing their primary education in state schools." She reckons that the state sector is 1-2 years behind the private sector so, even if bright, the boys would have a hard time getting a place. My friend doesn't have an agenda here, BTW, as her children are all girls and the local state girls' school is fantastic.

If anyone has experience of this, I'd be very grateful.

[clayreg]

Frogs
Am considering Westminster for my son at 11+ but am concerned about exam/interview process...am sure he's bright enough but not sure if he has the qualities they want (whatever they are) Do you have any tips from your nephew?
Thanks

[Issymum]

Hermit, you're right, entry to the RGS Guildford is at 11 and 13. Sorry for the mis-information!

[Loshad]

My Ds's school is 4-18, boys only, day, but they go from 60 boys in junior school to 120 in seniors, and the school is quite happy to provide past papers and guidance on the level expected. Round here (north/west yorks) I can't think of any schools that start at 13 that don't have classes in a prep school for 11-13's

[scienceteacher]

You really need to ask the school what their actual intake is. This will give some indication as to how easy it is to get in from whatever route.

FTR, DS's senior school has a five-form entry at 11+, with approx. 50% coming from their own junior school, 25% coming from indenpendent schools (mostly girls), and 25% from primary schools. They are all given the same tests, and compete with one another - there is no reserving of places for each group. They also have a 2-form entry at 13+.

The school says that primary school children are at a slight disadvantage, but they can easily close this gap by doing VR/NVR test papers a few months before the test.

[Jennypog]

My daughter went to a bog standard primary school and was offered scholarships at 2 private schools and got a place at a state grammar. So, if your child is bright, there is no reason for them not to get a place.

[Hermit]

Just to stick a spanner in the works - RGS Guildford does start at 11 for boys - my nephew has just gone there from a state primary, with no extra coaching - I reckon it's worth a try if you are sure the school is right for your child.

[bossykate]

thanks for your reply, mrswobble. no need for an off-board conversation to satisfy my idle curiousity, i think, but thanks for the offer

[MrsWobble]

not sure I want to name them - my information was second hand after all. however my children go to school in the borough of lewisham and the secondary schools these boys were considering were reasonably accessible to them. If you need specific names then I think we need to talk off the board. hope you understand

[bossykate]

which schools mrs wobble?

[bobsmum]

I went to an independent school from 4-18. There was a large intake in first year mainly from state schools. It was a very academic school and very selective. Most of the intake were given extra tution in school to catch up with us, but we were all at the same level by the time subject choice and exams came around (3rd/4th year).

The hardest bit was when siblings were split up - some passed the entrance test and others failed and went to another independent school or went on through the state system.

[MrsWobble]

my dd1 has just transferred from state primary to independent secondary. Her classmates parents (those with boys) were told by some of the more academic schools that they take very few state school pupils because the gap in achievement level, particularly in maths, is now too great for them to catch up in a reasonable timeframe.

On this basis I think the OP has cause for concern and should talk to the schools she is considering. The option lots of people seem to take is to transfer them to prep school at 11 to then prepare for Common Entrance at 13. These are London schools.

[RTKangaMummy]

[bossykate]

oh doppit (as dd would say) scummy or everyone will think we're in a click...

[ScummyMummy]

Bk- I hope you are not sweating the small stuff on this thread?

[bossykate]

haha, frogs so we are in fact agreeing then, lol!

batters, i am going to preface every post from now on with the words...

"Blast, wrote a whole, intelligently worded, rather fab post and lost it..."

[frogs]

Wasn't jumping down yr throat, bk, just ventured to disagree with you on a minor detail. Mainly wanted to reassure the OP that from our experience (now considering potential private secondary for ds) that the 11+ finish at primary school doesn't seem to be a problem wrt quite a wide range of boys schools that we've considered.

[foxinsocks]

aww issy, it sounds lovely (and lol at the 'failing' at age 3. I seem to remember your threads from the time!)

[bossykate]

oh fhs frogs! i fail to see why you are jumping down my throat. you "disagreed" with me over something i hadn't actually said.

anyway, back to the OP, imo a state educated primary school child will get into a private secondary but may need coaching to do so.

[RTKangaMummy]

My cousin DS is at Harrow atm he was at prep school

Harrow put the boys into prep schiool from 11 - 13

so you can apply to go

[Issymum]

Without getting into this debate(!), I was surprised to find out that the main independent boys' school here (Guildford), the Royal Grammar School, starts at 13. It's a day school only. In fact most boys' independent schools round here seem to do so whilst the girls' schools start at 11.

[frogs]

ahem to you too, bk! I specifically said girls' London preps stop at 11. But there aren't actually that many trad boys' public schools left in London now -- I can only think of St Paul's and Westminster that only start at 13+, and they both have associated prep schools which have an intake of state school kids at 11+ (well, Westminster do anyway, as state-educated dnephew has just started there).

Highgate are now co-ed and start at 11 in the senior school. City boys has an intake at 10+, weirdly as well as 11+ and 13. Latymer are now co-ed too, no? Even some country public schools seem to have gone that way, eg. Oundle has an 11+ intake as well as 13. I think it's only if you're after the full-on public school Eton, Harrow or Marlborough experience that a primary school finishing at 11 would present an insurmountable problem.

[RTKangaMummy]

DS's school is classed as an outer london school

60 for 11+ and 90 for 13+