Visit 13+ schools

[MrPickles73]

Which year did you with and without DC visit 13+ schools?

DC1 is at an all through school bit we are interested to look at one 13+ school. We have visited without her a couple of years ago.
She is starting year 4 in September. Should we wait til year 7 to show her the school? She would sit an exam in the autumn term of year 8.

Many thanks.

Sorry she is starting year 5 in September not year 4. Typing on my phone..

13+ schools tend to offer deferred places to pupils in Y6 too. I’d take her in Y5/6 so she can sit the exam in Y6 if you choose to apply.

Thanks. They only do a year 8 exam.

In that case, I’d probably wait till Y7.

I would still visit in Yr5. It is the time to consider secondary options and when everything is still a possibility. If you are undecided about the route to take, by looking with an open mind then, you have the possibility of remaining in an all-through school, moving for an 11+ school (testing in yr 6) moving for a 13+ school which pre-tests in Yr6 or moving for a 13+ which doesn't test until Yr8. By looking in Yr5 you open yourself to considering the pros and cons of lots of options which isn't a bad thing.

Also, are you absolutley sure there is zero testing before yr8 for the school you're interested in? That's v unusual these days - the schools which only have 13+ entry usually have some form of earlier testing even if they are still using Common Entrance to finalise the offers. I'd just check again, as what you say sounds very surprising.

Your current school should advise you, but if it's all all-through school they can be reluctant to give advice about alternatives and you should also be aware that you might not get much preparation for entrance exams whether they need sitting in yr6 or 8 - this will mean you wither need a tutor or to do some work at home yourself to familiarise your child for the exams.