how hard do you push?

[dadwithadaughter]

My 6 yr old is at a first rate London day school but not a hot house type. She is a confident and accomplished communicator and does really well in written and read English. She is about middle of the year in Maths and most other subjects. Her mother and I have the view we should allow her to be who she is so no extra homework and tutoring.

We are just beginning to think about London day schools and boarding. As far as we can tell at this early stage she might want to board. It looks like she is a bit below Cheltenham Ladies College standard, for example, but she is a bright kid and can probably raise her game with a bit of extra focus and some help.

I am very nervous about adding pressure. All the girls who got into St Pauls this year did so without tutoring and none of those who were being tutored got places. Speaks volumes!

Any thoughts about raising the game or just letting our children be who they are?

urgent I certainly do know of Preps that exclude bright pupils with SpLDs but then I and many parents start to wonder about their other educational strategies as well. If schools like Latymer and Westminster invest in extensive support because they appreciate what these bright pupils can bring to their communities, then it shows a certain narrow mindedness . I am sorry you have experienced this. However there are plenty of good preps around here that take children with all but the most severe difficulties (whose parents would be seeking specialist help anyway) providing you apply in time, which can mean at birth, even having your child in time before the waiting list closes, which I suppose is a form of selection in itself.....

Whatwouldrondo I agree. It is narrow minded and often lazy.

I'm only familiar with the North London "names from birth" Preps, wouldn't you describe them as hothouses?