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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

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:

Mendips · 10/06/2019 17:22

Your son’s headmaster should be the first port of call - but ask about rugby or Malvern

Mendips · 10/06/2019 17:24

Also I don’t understand how you know he has failed? You don’t get the marks?

Original poster

Potterswheel · 10/06/2019 17:42

You are Absolutely right! The fees are no joke. So this headteacher just has to pull his weight . I am done getting headaches on the matter . Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

Potterswheel · 10/06/2019 17:45

Thank you . No we didn’t actually get his marks, but I guess his score was not high enough for the schools that we were applying for. Although his twin did get some offers.
So I’ve come to realise that it’s either we keep our fingers crossed and let the headteacher help out or I move to plan B and start looking at other school choices- just in case . Thanks again

OP posts:

Mendips · 10/06/2019 19:00

This is fundamentally something your prep school head should be adding value on. I would be making an appointment and hearing the plan of action

Original poster

Potterswheel · 10/06/2019 20:03

Lol! Yes , I have literally added your text in an email to the headmaster . We will meet soonest.? Thanks very much

OP posts:

MrsWilkinsonAthome · 11/06/2019 05:06

Have a look at Merchiston Castle. I know some expat families with boys there whose sons struggled academically before but have now flown and bloomed. Quite sporty though.

Original poster

Potterswheel · 11/06/2019 08:09

Thank you MrsWilkinson for yet another good option. Added to my research list

OP posts:

Travelban · 11/06/2019 14:06

We are in a similar predicament. Ds2 passed the ISEB but didn't get into his brother's school as his pretest scores were very low.

He isn't as naturally bright as his brother but he is really academic (much more than his brother) as he works very hard and his end of year results for year 6 were very high.

I just think he didn't perform well on the day or just didn't do well in those type of tests. They do say they are supposed to weed out tutoring and maximise raw talent but I think they are quite one dimensional. It isn't a great system.

I wish you luck with your choice, the good news is there is lots available out there!!!

Original poster

Potterswheel · 11/06/2019 15:23

Thanks for the encouraging words , travelban! I wish DS2 all the very best too . Fingers crossed, they will all get the best schools that suit them

OP posts:

happygardening · 11/06/2019 17:57

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with asking with getting some advise of MN. Many in here have direct experience of the schools they recommend and may not more about minutiae e.g if it’s weekly boarding (despite claiming to be full boarding) that heads may who have a tendency to recommend the schools that they regularly send pupils too.
But when it comes down to which school you DS is most suited too academically or whether or not he would thrive in a large busy boarding school or a small nurturing one that advise is best sought from your current head.
IME of prep school if a child fails to gain entry into school A then the you usually have a meeting or maybe in your case an email conversation with the head ASAP discussing plan B. I’m fairness maybe he’s hoping that on the second round of pre testing for your two first choices he’ll get a place certainly at least two boys at DS’s prep school got into Harrow that way so all is not lost. Many that don’t pre test are not over subscribed either (what ever they claim) especially for full boarders so depending on the dates for second pre tests there maybe less urgency

Original poster

Potterswheel · 11/06/2019 20:45

Dear happygardening, this is such a comfort to read . Thank you for the positivity. We are hopeful and will also do more research with the headteacher and on our own . I am so glad I joined MN! I have learnt more in 3 days than I have in a whole year !

OP posts:

Comefromaway · 11/06/2019 20:50

I’d be looking at exploring schools that will nurture his particular talents. Highly academic schools don’t suit everyone. Are you absolutely set on boarding? Have you considered less selective schools with entry age 11?

I’d second a previous posters suggestion to look at Tring Park & Hammond for drama. I know a twin who attended one who didn’t pass the test for their sibling’s school and it was a very good option for them.

trinity0097 · 13/06/2019 19:33

Atom learning or BOFA pre-test packs are good.

What are his CATS scores like usually?

Original poster

Potterswheel · 13/06/2019 19:58

Thank you . We are practising with Bofa . His CAT scores are above average

OP posts:

Pleasebequietnow · 13/06/2019 20:02

Have a look at Bryanston; that has a strong reputation for drama.

happygardening · 13/06/2019 20:16

Bryanston is not great for full boarders.

Dancingdreamer · 13/06/2019 21:26

2021 entry will be the last year that Marlborough will pretest everyone in Year 7. After that the website says that the process will be:

Year 6 – approximately 70% places will be offered. There will be further two later entry points.
Year 7 – when approximately 25% of places will be offered and Year 8 when the last 5% of places will be offered.

I would definitely recommend calling Marlborough and discussing the situation re your son. IME they aren’t just looking for academics (although the academic standard is high) but DC who will add to the wider school. The music and drama is amazing. It’s a great school for the right child. My DD loved it there. It does very well with very academic DC so it may actually suit both your twins.

I agree with HappyGardening that many boarding schools will have places. Others to look at which are full boarding and seem to take late applicants would include Cheltenham College and Repton although the latter is very sporty so may not suit a DC who is less interested in sport. I would also second Malvern as an option.

Original poster

Potterswheel · 13/06/2019 22:43

Dear Dancingdreamer, this is really helpful too. Yes I have definitely shortlisted Marlborough and Malvern now and registering after discussion with our headteacher. Thanks so much !

OP posts:

Mary19 · 14/06/2019 14:40

Shrewsbury?
Bedes as back up?

Original poster

Potterswheel · 14/06/2019 15:45

Yes I have Shrewsbury . Never heard of Bedes but will research too . Thanks a lot !

OP posts:

londonparisny · 15/07/2019 23:00

@Potterswheel not sure where you are based and I may be totally wrong but try Dulwich college ? I heard its a great school and they consider late entry. From what I know one can never find out ISEB scores so it could be that your top choices were massively oversubscribed?
Hopefully something great will come along soon..

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