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Secondary education

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Original poster

Hertfordshire Indy entrance exams

15 replies

MrsDThaskala · 15/02/2021 22:25

Hi to all,

We live in Hertfordshire and are looking at Indeoendent secondary schools for our son. If you've been through this, could you give some tips and advice on what they entrance exams are like, how you got your loved one through it, and interview advice, as in what they asked. Don't really want to tutor to the max, but an idea of where to start would be so helpful. Any tips or advice? Websites for papers? Where does one get past papers from?

Many, many thanks,

OP posts:
Hersetta427 · 15/02/2021 23:22

You probably need to say which schools to get more relevant advice.

interestingdays · 16/02/2021 05:19

Have been through this with my son. Very much depends on which school you’re applying for in terms of interview questions and preparation. Each were looking for something different.

Original poster
MrsDThaskala · 16/02/2021 11:30

Of course, sorry.

St Edmunds
Bishops Stortford College
Hockerill
St Christopher's letchworth possibly

OP posts:
Hersetta427 · 16/02/2021 11:56

Hockerill is a state boarding school not an independent school. The only way to gain entry is to either A) prove a genuine need for boarding (parents both work demanding jobs with long hours or are overseas), B) pass a language or music aptitude test and score at least 95% - these tests cannot be tutored for as they use made up languages and the music is unlike any other aptitude test or C) live within 400 meters of the school to get a place on distance.

To give you an indication, we live a mile away and are much too far away to get a place, although we never considered it for DD as Saturday school would mean she couldn't pay her main sport which she is at national team level for so it was a non starter for us.

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 16/02/2021 12:58

We've just gone through the entrance exams for St Chris and St Edmunds for our DD. Happy to answer questions. Both were welcoming and friendly, St Eds was always our preferred school. DD was tutored in maths and she thinks this helped although the kids now all seem to sit the online tests which are 'tutor proof'.

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 16/02/2021 13:13

The two systems we encountered for the entrance exams were run by GL Assessments and CEM. They are online tests, St Eds ran the latter and St Chris the former. Both are designed to be tutor proof and you can't get past papers for them but if you visit their website, you can see sample questions.

St Chris asked us to do a written English paper first and then DD sat the test for maths and NVR. St Eds was all on the test and it was split into three sections, maths, verbal reasoning and NVR.

Both schools ran Zoom interviews and these went very well. Teachers were friendly and trying to get to know the child. If your child isn't great at chatting with adults, it would be worth practising. Questions like 'What is your favourite subject?' and 'Why do you think you'd enjoy coming to our school?'

26374hsg · 16/02/2021 20:35

Weekly boarding at Hockerill is not usually too oversubscribed. As it is a state school it is free to apply and no exam to prep for, could be worth a try if up for boarding.

Original poster
MrsDThaskala · 16/02/2021 21:05

Thank you.

Yes I've heard about the online tests. I'm not sure I believe tutor proof. I mean, he is not tutored at the moment, but I'm worried about the tests. Also finding a tutor is crazy! Local ones have said they have no places.

Thank you for clarifying what's involved in the entrance process. Fingers crossed.

Sorry yes I forgot Hockerill was state and I remember now about Saturday school.

Hmmm.... I know BS is more academic than the others on the list, but not my priority. I've heard good things about the other two.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsDThaskala · 16/02/2021 21:07

Okay...one more question, I'm assuming, sorry, but for you having answered it may mean you are local to the schools mentioned. Can I ask, if you hadn't chosen Indeoendent schools, which local state schools would you have loved?

OP posts:
nevernotstruggling · 16/02/2021 21:08

When I was at st chris in the 90's we had quite a few kids from st eds they are quite different schools though st c is not the hippy utopia it once was

Original poster
MrsDThaskala · 16/02/2021 21:17

Haha... I did here that about St Chris'. I don't know why though... What makes it a hippy utopia? Is it a good school pastorally?

OP posts:
loveisagirlnameddaisy · 16/02/2021 21:33

By tutor proof, I think they mean reducing the advantage of having a tutor coach children to answer questions worded in a specific way. These tests are mainly multiple choice or worded quite simply so that they test pure ability and comprehension. The CEM website explains the theory behind it.

loveisagirlnameddaisy · 16/02/2021 21:36

@MrsDThaskala

Haha... I did here that about St Chris'. I don't know why though... What makes it a hippy utopia? Is it a good school pastorally?
I believe it is a good school for pastoral care although cannot speak from personal experience. Their ethos is about putting the child in control of their education and encouraging them to love learning. They don't believe in competition if some children always miss out and they like to treat the children as equals eg they call teachers by their first names and are allowed to challenge teachers quite robustly.
Hersetta427 · 16/02/2021 21:41

@MrsDThaskala

Okay...one more question, I'm assuming, sorry, but for you having answered it may mean you are local to the schools mentioned. Can I ask, if you hadn't chosen Indeoendent schools, which local state schools would you have loved?
Local state schools (assuming you are local to bishops stortford if hockerill and stortford college are on your list) for your son I would say bishops stortford high school for boys. However with all state applications distance is king. Live much over 1.5 miles from the school (unless you are at a feeder primary ) then you probably won't have much of a chance. If you are considering bst Edmunds then maybe st. Mary's will be of interest as it is a catholic school.
nevernotstruggling · 16/02/2021 23:04

@MrsDThaskala

Haha... I did here that about St Chris'. I don't know why though... What makes it a hippy utopia? Is it a good school pastorally?
Difficult to say how it is now as I'm 41...it had a heavy leaning toward support over discipline in the positive sense. There was no Bells or detention (special study session instead) and the school is self governed. It's not summer hill though. It models a family community feel as opposed to them and us teachers/students. It's a very gentle and caring atmosphere. The staff retention is amazing. Some of my teachers are still at the school. I'm in touch with my teachers still and that is culturally normal for us old scholars. Most stay until retirement.
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