Private school -how to get to a good one at this time of the year for year 7 - sept 19

[anamine]

Hi everyone

My son is in year 6 in a comprehensive school. He is very bright and passed his Kent test with a good score. He chose 3 grammar schools and been offered an Academy school. He is very devastated, disappointed and outraged as he put so much effort and pressure to get this. We are appealing this decision which we don't find fair. In the meantime, we thought that a private school would be an alternative although the fees are very high. What are your recommendations in terms of private schools price /quality of education. i am aware of deadlines that may have passed but any advice on how to get a good private school and/or get scholarship / bursary wold be appreciated. I am trying to find alternatives in case our appeal does not work.

Wow, it's way way too late.

Exams for private schools started last year. You can only get third tier independent schools at this point, honestly

Take the academy and then call all independent and grammar school and ask them to put you on waiting list for an occasional place.

Why didn't you apply to independent before? Many people (including me) applies to all grammars, had a comprehensive back up and I also had 9 independent schools (we got 6 of the 9, some were back ups).

Sorry no need to get upset now just call the schools and see

Yes independent schools are now done and dusted and will have their own waiting lists of kids who did their exams. Deadlines for entry were just over 6 months ago. We did both independent and state just in case. You need to accept the academy and then put your name down for independent bearing in mind they will already have waitlists.

Well I know of children who have been offered places as late as August, just before the September so there is hope.

However, you will need to consider a wider range of schools, not just the top academic ones. Also, you will be too late for a bursary application or scholarship exam at this stage. There is no reason why you can't apply for either at 13+ and 6th form. Good luck.

Sorry, OP. For whatever it is worth, I truly belive that a bright and driven young person with self discipline and supportive parents will do well at pretty much any school. Try and put a positive spin on it for your son and good luck with the appeal.

Some may have a second sitting in March, should there be capacity after all acceptances are received. Alternatively try the academy and look at 12/13+ entry.

Another option would be a prep school for 2 years if you have any that go to 13. Where abouts in Kent are you?

Agree prep schools usually welcome pupils at year 7. However you need be cautious about the destination schools at 13 , whether they prepare for CE or individual school tests and whether you have missed any pretests. Of course there is a financial commitment. If a grammar place did come up you would need to give a full term's notice and move very quickly.

It's not necessarily too late OP. I'm not sure about Kent but I do know of people in your circumstances that did just that, March exams and interviews; so don't despair.
Start ringing around the private schools you're interested in on Monday AM and take it from there. Good luck

I know of someone who didn’t get a grammar school place despite passing the tests with high marks. She rang the local selective private school after state offers day, explained the situation, her DS was invited to sit the entrance test and subsequently offered a place for that September even though there was a waiting list. So it can happen - give your local indie schools a call and in the meantime find out where you are on the grammar school waiting lists as there will be movement.

So hard for you and especially your DC after hard work put in!

Where in Kent are you?

There is actually plenty of shifting about at this time of year in Kent (and Medway) because people leave indies when they get Grammar places or give up a ‘just accepted indie place’ for a free Grammar...so prep schools need to fill Year 7&8, including good preps that focus on great senior school destinations. They would then prepare your son for 13+ entry and in cases can even have sway with certain indie senior schools despite having missed the official pre-testing...

Some even have adverts for year 7 entry on their web page...

There are some great academically inclusive all through 3-18 indie schools in Kent that are worth exploring too... the teaching and educational experience at these indie schools can be brilliant - don’t be put off by league tables because these schools have a broader intake they, understandably, have a broader set of outcomes in terms of exams results.

If it were me I would try and get appointments with the HMs at schools of interest.

If he got a good score he may get in on the waiting list

Thank you for encouraging us and thanks for your answer.

Appreciate your comment.

Prep schools will have some children that leave for grammar schools so that would be the best starting point.

@anamine
FWIW I would have done exactly as you did- if your child gets a good score in the 11+ then it isn't unreasonable to expect a grammar place.
We have a very upset 11year Old too, different set of circumstances, but essentially, I made enquires at 2 private schools Fri AM who have both been willing to see what they can do. Both have made it clear that all the bursaries & scholarships have been already allocated though.
We are busy making a plan of action atm.
The same thing happened to my DN too few years back. DN Sat 2 private school entry exams after March 1st result and was offered places at both. All is not lost.
It's very hard OP, but chin up

1. it's early days. It's hard but stay calm. There'll be significant movement in the next few weeks.
2. find out where your ds is on the waiting list for the 3 grammars. make sure they know to keep you on the waiting list for the foreseeable future.
3. you are very unlikely to get any scholarships/bursaries at this point. If paying fees are not an option and let's face it they aren't for most, then hold your nerve and see what happens in the state sector.
4. a bright motivated child with parental support can do well at most schools. If they are driven there's a wealth of information online to support/help/boost academics - it's no longer only available to those at the "best" schools
5. long term, higher education wise, his school will be taken into account with contextual based offers. It might all work out just for the best.