11+ SPS and possibility to leave at 13+?

[newtothis15]

My son sat 11+ at SPJ, but also sitting 13+ at boarding schools. could he start SPJ and then try CE in Year 8 for Boarding schools? I know it is uncommon. If my DS is not successful obtaining a boarding place, then we would carry on happily at SP

I was at a not particularly famous but top-20 in rankings girls day school and 3 of the girls in my year left after 2 years having secured places at world-famous boarding schools. (I particularly remember one girl commenting that she was so relieved to be finally going to a proper school having got a place at Cheltenham Ladies College) I don't think it's that uncommon.

don't most of the top boarding schools start pre-testing in Y6 for Y9 entry though? you may need to get into the application process quickly for your chosen school's and may have already missed the boat for some.

Fully agree re. the Pre-Tests.

OP, if your son is presently in Year 6, for 2022 Yr 9 entry, must public schools require the Pre-Test in Year 6.

There is an option to take the Pre-Test in Year 7, but the pre-testing/admissions process is largely geared towards Year 6 students.

If however your son is presently in Year 7, and will enter Year 9 before 2022, you can simply register for the 13+/Common Entrance entry point.

It might be best to speak to your current prep school to discuss your options/ the option of him sitting the Pre-Test this term. Preps normally administer the test in school in Winter / Early Spring.

As PP pointed out, you sit the tests in Y6 for boarding schools. I believe all the deadlines have passed for this year. There are a couple of boarding schools who will give you a separate entrance if needed, but not sure how successful that route is. You should call your top schools to find out.

Well, they can't force him to stay there. Has he got into any 13+ schools - presumably he is doing entry for them along side his 11+.

Or are you targeting the ones that don't test until year 7?

I think you need to be more specific!

And you don't "try" CE at year 8. You get a conditional pace in year 6 or sometimes 7 and then confirm it with CE (although a few schools have dropped the requirement).

Is he currently at a school that stops at year 6?

Yes we are doing 11+ and 13+ at the same time, yes current state school finishes in Year 6. So he has interview for SPJ and 13 + boarding schools.

OP, if your son gets a boarding school place it might be better to put him into a stand alone prep for years 8&9. As most boys at SPJS will stay on in the school they won't be sitting CE, whereas a prep will have a big cohort doing it, so usually have a stream whose sole focus in year 8 is preparing for it.

It also might be easier for your DS emotionally than moving to a school at 11 only to leave again a couple of years later whilst all his new friends stay on. Plus, he might meet other boys in the Prep who will be heading for the same boarding school.

It should be very easy to find a prep place with a good boarding offer in the bag as your son will be a definite boost for their leaver's figures.

Op, do you have an offer from St Paul's as 11+ offers have already been made?

I agree with the other posters, if your preference is for a boarding school then it's best to move him to a Prep school for Year 7-8. Some of the boys there may be moving on to the same boarding school which will help with the transition.