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Secondary education

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

Original poster

No school offers after ISEB pre test 2018

47 replies

Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 17:00

Hello, my son did not pass the ISEB computer test last year and has no offer into any schools.
He is a twin and his twin has been offered a space to most schools including Harrow (where their older brother is ) .
Though he is a sibling , he wasn’t given a letter to be invited to the pretest. I feel lost . what do i do ?

Will we be roaming around mid September 2021 looking for a school? I can’t help worrying. As it is , I am open to anything!
(He’s not sporty or academic but he loves drama and is a keen talented actor )

OP posts:
chopc · 09/06/2019 17:41

I don't understand. This is for entry for which year group in what calendar year?
It's only a few schools that have pretests etc. most schools will hood entrance exams the year before entry so he still has options

Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 17:54

Thank you . It’s for 2021 entry to Harrow, or Charterhouse (those are our first choices)

OP posts:
AveEldon · 09/06/2019 18:38

What are your current school advising?

Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 19:37

Thanks for asking. The headmaster is talking to Harrow to let him still do the protest this year but I do not want to rely on that. If anyone knows of other good boarding schools that do not require pretests, kindly advise please

OP posts:
AveEldon · 09/06/2019 19:54

Your HM should be suggesting other options - this is what you are paying him for

chopc · 09/06/2019 19:55

Sevenoaks doesn't have a pretest. However they do IB in sixth form

Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 20:05

Thank you so much for this. You are right actually ! I am so grateful for your reply

OP posts:
Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 20:07

Thank you so much for this. Your reply definitely helps and sheds some more light into possible options! Blessings !

OP posts:
errorofjudgement · 09/06/2019 20:13

Would you be open to him attending a vocational school? Eg Tring Park
There is pre-testing but it’s not based on academic tests.

AveEldon · 09/06/2019 20:14

Other questions are - did you expect him to pass the ISEB test?
Is he of similar ability to his twin?

Do you want both twins at the same school?

Or would they suit different schools?

happygardening · 09/06/2019 20:54

As others have said your paying fees to your current prep to receive personalised advise from the head on what schools too look at. He should know 1. What schools don’t pre test and 2, of those which one would suit your DS.
I’m assuming your looking for boarding can it be coed? Have you looked at St Edwards (Oxford) a happy liberal very caring school with lots to offer to all what ever your interest. It does have a sporty reputation and produces some outstanding sportsmen/women but there are many who loathe sport and actively participate in art drama and music which is also very strong.
Kings Canterbury is also popular and seems to suits a very wide range of pupils; the sporty the musical the arty and the budding thespian and Canterbury is a nice safe city.
As far as I’m aware neither pre tesr. St Edwards now offers weekly and full boarding plus day pupils, Kings I believe it still full boarding with a small number of day pupils.

Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 21:06

I will definitely research this as an option . Great thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 21:11

I certainly did expect him to pass . The twins have both been relatively similar in their academic progress . The result of the ISEB shocked us to say the least .
As you can imagine, it’s easier and preferred to have the twins in the same school but as it is , I might have to be open to separating them if different schools suit them .

OP posts:
Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 21:14

Goodness ! I am so glad I joined this group ! More very helpful suggestions and tips !
Thanks so much and I will get to researching and calling these schools this week
I am most grateful indeed 🙏🏽

OP posts:
Michaelahpurple · 09/06/2019 21:15

I think dulwich still has boarding and they use their own test in jan of year 8.

Are you set on boarding?

Michaelahpurple · 09/06/2019 21:41

There are a number of schools that don't use year 6 ISEB and to which one can apply in year 8, although fewer than there used to be. I think Marlborough is still year 7, Stowe, Abingdon Christ Hospital for instance. Wheee they use year 7 ISEB test, your son would get a chance to take it again

However, as mentioned up thread, why he failed is key. Was it a shock? Was his school expecting him to pass? Had your prep school agreed that Harrow and charterhouse were realistic aims? And did you only apply to those two?

For them not to let a sibling through to the second stage at Harrow suggests he must have done pretty badly - did he come out of the tests thinking their had been some sort of disaster?

Unless there was some unexpected slip, you need to factor the result into your thinking and look more to Stowe et al.

Good advice from your prep school is key - they should know which schools are yet to do their process, and , crucially, which are within his academic reach

Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 21:42

Hi , yes it needs to be boarding as I am an international parent (hence my cluelessness on good schools. Before now, I went with some internet research , Tatler and a few people we know who attended the popular schools like Winchester , Harrow etc gave references . Thanks a million

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Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 21:47

This is amazing and very helpful feedback. It seems we’ve been unrealistic in our choices (because his older brother got into Harrow) . He is just in year 6 now and I am feeling more encouraged that all is not lost .

If I have to split the twins so be it !

OP posts:
SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun · 09/06/2019 21:56

If you are looking for less selective all boys boarding then have a look at Sherborne school.

happygardening · 09/06/2019 22:06

As you’re international are you looking for full boarding? You’d be wise to choose a school with lots of full boarding these are now few and far between most offer a mixture of day full and weekly boarding with the majority being weekly. With this new n mind you could also look at Rugby, Stowe, Marlborough, Uppingham, Christ’s Hospital.
Abingdon is primarily a day school with a small number of boarders although most would be international this might or might not suit your,

Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 22:19

Thank you for yet another good option .

OP posts:
Original poster
Potterswheel · 09/06/2019 22:22

Oh , in that case I won’t bother researching Abingdon . Will do all others I am seeing in this thread . I am glad I have some choices to research. Most appreciated

OP posts:
Michaelahpurple · 09/06/2019 23:49

If overseas, would I be right in thinking. That perhaps your school isn't particularly informed about this process? In which case, perhaps a schools consultant would make sense, and perhaps some Skype tutoring to work out his gaps at ISEB.

Does he generally do less well academically than his twin?

Original poster
Potterswheel · 10/06/2019 00:36

Thank you Michaelapurple. He usually does really well actually that’s why we were shocked . He has been asked by charterhouse and Wellington to retake the test in yr 7. . It’s in November I think . So that’s a main focus now . If you have any ISEB specific tutor references it would really help . Thanks

OP posts:
OVienna · 10/06/2019 14:57

OP - your son's headteacher and people around him should be advising you. You are I am sure paying through the nose and should not have to rely on MN for advice on this. Get onto the head and hatch a plan!