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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

HELP NO 11+ OFFERS

67 replies

mosi2014 · 12/02/2017 09:16

DS has got no offers despite reasonable academic ability. Clearly none of the schools were right for him. No feedback given. What to do? In SW London. Prep School for 2 years and try some schools again for 13+ (very few don't do the pre-test). Ideally I would prefer a laid back school with smaller class sizes. Appreciate any suggestions.

OP posts:

AnotherNewt · 12/02/2017 11:31

One to consider, given what you've said about your DS, is Dunhurst (prep school for Bedales).

Very easy to weekly board there (loads travel together by train from Waterloo and are met at the other end)

Original poster

mosi2014 · 12/02/2017 12:08

Have got feedback from 2 of the schools, one he is on the waitlist.

OP posts:

mosi2014 · 12/02/2017 12:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MixedGrill · 12/02/2017 13:00

So have you applied to state schools or not?

doonaduvet · 12/02/2017 13:11

I know this can be very stressful. I would also suggest trying Fulham Prep, Newton Prep or Rokeby for 13+. What about Kew House, Reeds, Hampton Court House or Ewell Castle School?

sazzy5 · 12/02/2017 13:31

Do you think your DS current school would've given a less favourable report? Do you think he should've passed the exams? I would ask the schools what happened. I'm also very surprised your current school hasn't called you straight in for a talk. I'm really sorry you're in this situation it must feel really horrible.

Original poster

mosi2014 · 12/02/2017 14:48

No- we haven't.

OP posts:

Original poster

mosi2014 · 12/02/2017 14:49

I think it's very likely. Sorry for being cryptic.

OP posts:

Original poster

mosi2014 · 12/02/2017 14:49

Exams and interview passed in two schools.

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Original poster

mosi2014 · 12/02/2017 14:52

Thank you for the suggestions. Will get on the phone tomorrow.

OP posts:

QGMum · 12/02/2017 15:26

You have my sympathy as we were in the same position as you this time last year. No offers, but two wait list places. Both wait list places turned into offers by early March so unless your wait list places are at highly selective schools. where most accept the offers, then it will probably be fine. Remember most kids are applying for at least four schools but can accept only one place. The schools over offer but have to be cautious in case more accept than they can accommodate. I know lots and lots of dc who got into their school via the wait list. If you feel able to name the school I'm sure someone will be able to give an indication of chances.

I suggest you do the following:

Email wait list school to let them know they are your first choice school and you would accept a place immediately if offered. Call and speak to registrar as well. She is your new best friend. Let her know how much your ds loves the school and why it is a great fit for him. You want to be the first person she calls when she goes to the waitlist.

My dc was at state primary but my understanding is that your prep head should help you no matter what has happened in the past. That is what you have paid for and that is his job. I guess this would only not apply if you had gone against their advice and not applied to any schools they recommended. But ask them to call wait list school to make a case for your son if you think that's appropriate. In any case, I can't see it being good for current prep to have a dc with no offer.

Start researching suitable preps that go to 13 like Newton prep, Thomas's, Wetherby or Fulham and call them to find out about availability of places and entry process.

Start researching 11+ schools that may have availability and call them. Some will just say no, but I found that schools we had visited at open days but not applied to were more open to a late application as we had previously shown an interest in the school. I was told to call back after the offer deadline. Less selective schools worried about burning through the waitlist will be more open to late applications. New schools like Radnor House or Kew House may be worth trying, although unfortunately I think it's harder for boys as less day school choices.

Start thinking about state schools. You can make a late application and go on their wait lists. Go and have a look, you might be surprised. A short journey to school and local friends makes for a happy dc.

It is stressful but I'm sure it will work out ok in the end.

Good luck!

Mary21 · 12/02/2017 15:34

Hampton court House? St James Ashfird? Ewell Castle? The cedars Croydon? St Johns Leather head? Eton sq Seniors, Thames Christian College.
Or Prep Newton Prep, Newland House, Twickenham prep. Hill House. Kings House Richmond.

FernetBranca · 12/02/2017 15:53

I really feel for you. We know some people exactly this happened to and it's a nightmare. I know on Mumsnet everyone always say "well, everyone gets a place somewhere" but that completely overlooks the fact that none of the schools are joined up and it is perfectly possible to get no concrete offers.

Whether your prep school head likes you or not, you need to tap into their advice and networks. Remember it reflects badly on the school if they do not support you and even if they do it through gritted teeth, they should be pulling out all the stops. There are some secondary schools who will have places, whatever they like to say, and the prep heads know this or can find this out better than parents can.

Alaia5 · 12/02/2017 16:15

OP - could you say a bit more about exactly where you are in SW London.
The exact same thing happened to my son's friend 3 years ago.
They called St James School in Ashford. He went in a couple of days later, sat an informal assessment and was offered a place there and then.
I think they have an extensive school coach service. It's all boys. Stunning grounds and they practise "mindfulness" a couple of times a day.
Also, The Hall School in Wimbledon will no doubt have places, but you may have to wait until the closing date for offers to be accepted for them to confirm this. It's a smaller school and co-ed. They have a longer school day until 5pm which puts a lot of people off I think (that's not prep time -actual lessons finish then, but they do a chunk of sport every day).
I think these are your two most likely options.
Also Radnor House did not fill up last year and I know for a fact they called up to offer a place for my neighbour's son who they had rejected following the exam! By this time, he had already accepted another place elsewhere.

Good luck!

Alaia5 · 12/02/2017 16:18

You need to speak to your prep head too. Ask to see the reference he gave. This could be the problem. At the end of the day, a prep school's reputation is largely down to leaver's destinations, so it will not be in his interests to hold your son back in any way.

Ancienchateau · 12/02/2017 19:15

The two schools where DC I know took exams after offers (and got in) are Ibstock and Radnor, also St Catherine's but that is girls only. You could try The Harrodian too.

amidawsh · 12/02/2017 19:56

St James's Ashford & Halliford have done a second admissions round in April in the past iirc.

Hold tight though, the waiting lists DO move. It sounds like you have history with your prep head, despite this he should help you here - a child without a secondary place is not what he wants for his school's reputation. Surely a common question amongst prospective parents is "does everyone always get offered a school of their choice?"

Original poster

mosi2014 · 13/02/2017 07:40

Again thanks for all the info.

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coldandold · 13/02/2017 14:10

Did you talk to the Head about which schools you were going to apply to in advance and did he agree they were realistic? If so, then he should be absolutely pulling out all the stops to get your DS to the top of that waiting list and calling around looking for other options too. No head wants parents lower down the school, or prospective parents to know that they have got it this badly wrong so use that to put pressure on him.

If that doesn't work then I think your best bet is, as you say, to find him a prep for a couple of years and then apply again at 13 - I think Dulwich, Whitgift, Trinity all have 13+ entry without needing a pre-test at 11.

The problem you may find is that some of the Preps get more and more picky is the years go on and it becomes easier for them to cherry pick the kids who will go on to bolster the annual list of scholarships - imagine Newton and Dulwich Prep set the bar quite high at that point.

Thomas' is probably out as it's only their Clapham branch that runs on to 13 and it fills up with kids from the other branches wanting to stay on longer. Fulham Prep might be worth a try as I know of kids who've left there at 11 not to go on to their next schools but to other preps that are more focused on getting them ready to board - so they may get unexpected vacancies. Northcote Lodge by Wandsworth Common definitely has places from time to time and may be quite accommodating (the linked girls' school always seems to take in a few girls at 11 who haven't found spots elsewhere).

Fingers crossed the waiting list moves for you.

DIN2K · 13/02/2017 14:47

I know that Fulham Prep has places - and they are about to open a Senior School. I thought it was a super place.

Jaxx · 13/02/2017 17:54

Thames Christian College have a few places - received a letter this morning. We have decided to go with a state school, so didn't apply - but I really liked this look of this place.

Not a well known School, but looks very supportive and looking at their results, they seem to get the best out of the children they get.

Original poster

mosi2014 · 14/02/2017 07:25

Sorry I haven't figured out how to do individual replies, but I am looking at all the suggestions that everyone has made and really grateful for all the kindness, sensible suggestions and solidarity here. Its very interesting to hear that despite the firm deadlines schools such are not filling up after deadlines. I am looking at State schools (didn't apply previously), prep schools, international schools and all schools within a reasonable commute from the Richmond area.

Sorry if my answers are a little cryptic! It will take a little time to sort something out and will keep you updated!

Again appreciate any suggestions!

xxxx

OP posts:

amidawsh · 14/02/2017 10:04

my friend was in this position 2 years ago, she intended her ds to stay on at his 3-18 school then had a very swift change of heart, right around now.

Many schools were a bit shirty with her - they were at this stage of the process with plenty of applicants, had given offers and were waiting for acceptances/firm numbers. By Easter, they were ringing her . You might have to be patient.

Dancergirl · 14/02/2017 10:57

Hope you manage to find a school OP. Did I read correctly that you didn't put in a state school application?? Why on earth not?

Mary21 · 14/02/2017 11:10

How close are you to Christs, Greycourt,Orleans. As a late applicant you will almost certainly get Twickenham Academy but if you are very close to any of the above schools you might stand a chance from the waiting list after national offer day.

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