Reference for private schools at 11+

[PaintTime]

All of the independent schools we’re applying to at 11+ say that they require a reference from the current school as well as a formal assessment. Does anyone know how this reference is organised. Do we need to let the school know that they have to send a letter to each school, will each school contact us and ask us about this or will they go to our current school/head directly without going through us? Have no idea how it works. Thanks

That's not always true, Trinity. We've been asked a number of times to give parents a reference on letterhead to give to the school. Seems a weird way of doing it to me, but there you go!

The comment about Surrey schools not doing references is inaccurate, we're also in Surrey and our state primary definitely does. We have to pay £30 per go.

My DDs state school didn’t give her a reference for the private school we wanted. They were deliberately obstructive. Several parents wanted private schools for a variety of reasons. It was purely down to the Head witch! I have known another Head go above and beyond to help a child get into WA from a state primary. It’s all down to respecting the parents and the child in my view.

Our independent secondary asked for references from our state primary. They asked directly and we weren't involved in the process at all.

I have no idea whether the primary provided the reference or what was in it (I never asked, although was tempted to ask) but from everything I know of the Head over the 7 years we were at the Primary I am as sure as I can be that, if he provided it, it will have been very basic and fact based. Both my children were offered places.