Too late to apply for year 9 independent

[1busybee]

Hi

Merry Christmas everyone. I have a son currently in year 8 state school and he is really unhappy there. The school is going through a lot of changes. He has good friends but still is not happy. We have his name on the waiting list for a school locally which is a large school with a good reputation and the LA have said he s first on the list however no space has come up in the last 6 months. We have not applied anywhere else. We have recently come in to a situation where we would be able to fund an independent school if needed but I’m thinking we ve probably missed all the deadlines etc. My son is currently in top stream at school (which I know is quite arbitrary as all schools are different) but he s one of those sporty kids that can pick up pretty much any sport and do it well. Unfortunately because he s quite unhappy at school I’m not sure a school report would be particularly glowing in terms of his attitude but his attainment is good (we havent had a parents evening for two years). Have we missed year 9 deadlines completely and what would you do if you were us ?

You likely have missed all deadlines. All you can do is research the schools you want and speak to the heads/registrars. Make appointments for tours discuss movement of places/possible year 10 entry etc...

It depends which school you want. The super-competitive London schools will be full. You'd very likely still get a place at a 'regular' Independent school outside of London where there isn't such pressure on places.

When the schools are open again, ring the admissions teams of the indies you’re interested in and ask about occasional places and to go on their waiting lists.

Yes, you have missed the deadlines.

Sought after schools who are managing large numbers of applicants are probably not receptive to late additions to their lists.

But away from London and a handful of 'big name' schools, you may well find it's still possible, especially in schools which do not have a 13+ entry point and will be looking to fill ad hoc vacancies.

I'd say it's worth contacting the admissions dept of every school you are interested in (they'll be working in January before term starts for pupils) and see what they say. The worst it can be is 'sorry, no' and it might just be 'okay, yes'

Thanks everyone. Hmm that’s what I thought. I was sort of hoping the state secondary we applied for would have had a place by now and panicking that one won’t come up. I discussed it with my husband ages ago and he did the ignore and move on thing snd now agrees we need options!!!!

It is possible. Places do become available. We decided to move our child to an independent school for year 9 only at Easter of year 8. He had applied to the school for year 7 entry and was on the waiting list when we accepted the state school place (London but not super selective). I phoned them up, my husband and I went in for a chat with the head, and he was offered a place. No regrets moving him.

If you aren't in London then contact the schools you are interested in.

It's worth mentioning that independent schools near me have had a huge swell in applications so it might be tough.

We had a similar situation with my daughter 2 years ago and contacted schools early January and she was able to sit admissions exams and was offered places at 3 schools so it is possible but may depend on where you are/the schools. None of the schools we approached said it was too late

That’s interesting thanks. Interesting @MrsMiaWallis if there has been a huge swell in applications that might free up a place at the secondary he s on the list for!! I thought maybe the numbers would be lower this year due to job uncertainty but obviously not.

I think some Independents have done well out of lockdown because of the perception that they've dealt with it better than maintained schools. You only have to read threads on here to see that is not universally the case though. I think full boarding schools with a large contingent of overseas children will have lost a group of children.

My DH is involved with admissions at a big name 13-18 (well away from London). They are always slotting the last few kid in during the summer before Y9 starts, despite the official entry process starting in Y6. It's 100% worth talking to the schools you are interested in.

I would definitely start contacting propective schools shortly after christmas. Admissions teams may be in the office before the official start of term as they may be busy preparing for entrance exams. Explain your situation and they may be able to accommodate. As you are from state sector they may be more sympathetic to missing deadlines since you wont have been discussing/planning for entrance exams for months like those in private prep schools who are aiming for hese exams. You need to look at past papers though as your DS should have a chance to practice beforehand. Some schools have past papers orexample questions to download on their website.

We re south of Cambridge so there are a few options in Cambridge and a few south. Cambridge isn’t London like for independents but there are some top schools there. Thanks for all the advice. I’m very grateful.

Some will have already started their selection process, or even made offers on a deferred basis, but others will only be held in January. I have known kids apply and succeed even after offers have been made, so all may not be lost yet, especially if dc is sporty, musical etc. If you are happy to move him sooner than year 9 they may consider an in year application if they have a vacancy now. Worth ringing a few in new year.

Fee paying prep and junior schools have seen a small increase in pupils this year and senior have seen a moderate decrease which has led to a 1% decrease in overall numbers of fee paying school children of all ages according to ISC figures published in October. So if you aren’t London and it is senior not junior then you should be fine. Good luck and hope he feels happier soon.

Those figures are from last year. Things have changed
.

@MrsMiaWallis nope - it was the TES article by the Chair of the Independent Schools Council Barnaby Lenon who is very worried about the sector.

He revealed that across the ISC's 1,300 member schools, there had been a 1 per cent drop in pupil numbers. I will attack a link at bottom.

Mr Lenon added: “But this small decline is being driven by much bigger declines in boarding schools but particularly international boarding schools."

ARTICLE: Private School Funds 'shot to pieces' mergers expected 4th November 2020

www.tes.com/news/private-school-funds-shot-pieces-mergers-expected

Interesting. Certainly doesn't back up my (totally anecdotal!!) local experience

@MrsMiaWallis facts seldom do especially when it comes to schools. Always look at the data is my mantra! However my own anecdotal nugget is that I was talking to a friend who is a deputy at one of the big name Prep Schools last week and he said its been a shocker in the sector - lots of appearances of coping, nailing down full timetables on zoom meanwhile teachers and leadership buckling under the strain, impossible financial decisions to make, parents demanding financial accountability, two famous heads Prep heads just been kicked out by governors as not up to the 'new' demands on Preps, mental health issues rampant in staff, bickering about those furloughed by those not furloughed. Like most areas of our society it has been a shit show of a 2020, covered up with a glossy veneer of stability.

Agree with LIZS the 2 secondaries we are considering - 1 is highly academic for yr 9 and the entry exam is in Oct of yr 8. But the other school the entry exam is end of Jan in yr 8 so though you would have missed the application deadline I would contact them as you are not too late for the selection process 😉.

It’s never too late. For various reasons a friend pulled her child from one particular school a fortnight before the September term was due to start. She made a list of schools, ranked them in order of preference, picked up the phone and spoke to the head of admissions. They can only say no. (Also, don’t be surprised if you’re offered a place at your waiting list school with days to go before the start of term...!) Good luck.

I think it depends which school. My daughter’s private doesn’t advertise spaces but makes space for kids they think are a good fit. My friend’s daughter is starting there mid way during year 9. Jot down his good points and fire a few emails off to a few registrars it can’t hurt.

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know if schools save their new in year admissions to the start and end of terms or allocate as spaces come up in state schools?

I guess I can still be hopeful then that a place comes up at the state school in the next week or so? I will contact the other options too though.