13+ application

[newtothis15]

what are prons and cons of a child from state school applying for 13+ place compare to 11+? For me it is about affordability...
My child is in the state school and would prefer for him to go to local state school for year 7/8 and then pay for education from 13+

Is 13+ normally consider the route for prep school children?

Depends on the school, the child and the level of competition for places.

If you are in London and applying for a place at a highly sought after, academically selective school, a child from the state system would need to be very clever and/or heavily tutored and/or have an additional outstanding talent to compete with students from an academically selective prep at 13+. But many do, so it is not impossible. Academically selective schools are very good at identifying talent. You are the best judge of your child.

Elsewhere, schools are less over subscribed and need to recruit students to fill places. So if your child is a good average academically and well behaved it will not be difficult to find a place somewhere. If you are prepared to pay for boarding it is very much a buyers market.

Look for a school with a large number of 13+ starters. That will make finding new friendship groups easier.

If you are worried about finding the fees do make sure you factor in price increases (average 4% pa) and the possibility that a new Labour government may impose tax on school fees.