Didn't get private secondary offers and state one unacceptable

[iloveapplesandcakes]

Hi, DS in Year 6 prep, we applied for four very selective indies (as advised by current school) and unfortunately he only got 2 waitlists and 2 rejections.

The state option we get is a disaster and out of question.

He has an option to stay at current school till Year 8.

One of the waitlists will run another selection process in Year 8 so too far to rely on it, the 2nd waitlist unlikely to move enough to get a place.

Are there any private secondaries where we can still apply in Year 7 for 13+ entry? I'll certainly speak to Headmaster, but would appreciate some suggestions.

Emanuel have stopped their 13+ entry for the very reasons you describe TheatreTaxi.

Arg OP, I feel your pain. This year has been strange one for offers. I wouldn't get obsessed about one school being under your current preps academic level. If it has good quality teaching your son will thrive.

My experience is from last year, so Emanuel dropping their 13+ entry must be a new development.

Yes this year was the last year I think - the move away from year 8 has accelerated pretty quickly. If your DS sat 13+ last year you'd have missed most of the changes as the pretests for schools other than the top few only started last year so boys who were older than year 6 by last year had a different system.

@Notmynom that's my understanding (and concern) as well

How does this work then for boys who move to London from other areas in Y7 or Y8 and aiming for private? seems that if you missed the boat in Y6 then nearly no options

They take up places at the non selective schools. There are always places somewhere. Or they weekly board them outside of London. This really is a very London problem and most families coming from abroad will be aware of the schools issues and plan quite carefully around it.

I really feel for you OP. This year must have been really difficult with the 11/13 changes filtering through then everyone switching to ISEB which doesn't suit all kids and interviews moving online. If your son got WL for SPS he should be fine at 13+ for DC/Trinity/Whitgift but I don't think you can bank on him crusing in with a scholarship - the competition is just too fierce now. Hopefully the SPS place might open up in the meantime.

A PP suggested Sevenoaks upthread - just popping on to second it as an option if you think the journey's feasible (plenty of the day kids travel from London). Highly academic, lovely school, big intake at Year 9, still plenty of time to apply for 13+.

City/CLS certainly used to do a “late entry” exam for 13+ entry I think at the start of Year 8, but maybe call their Admissions?

Thank you so much everyone for wise words and reassurance, it does help a lot.

I'm back to drawing board and research now, need to prepare for the call with HM.

You're right, the process did change a lot in the last couple of years with very few options remaining in case of Y6 failure.

City Boys are the same as the rest - Y6 entry for both 11+ and 13+, it's just 13+ offers are conditional upon CE performance.

You’re right, but in addition to ISEB entry for 13+ in Year 6 they certainly used to do a late entry exam I think in the September of Year 8. It may be worth a call to CLS admissions to ask if they still do. Good luck to your boy. He sounds very clever so I expect will do well wherever he goes.

City Boys no longer do a Y8 13+ entry round - it's all via Y6 pretest now.

I’m sorry OP, sounds like you were badly advised.

As a backup are there just out of London schools that are commutable? - eg I know people whose daughters go to Woldingham from Clapham -

I would definitely speak to your Head master for advice. The whole point of prep schools is to prepare a child for entry into the right/best 13+ school for them. When this doesn’t happen, the onus is really on the school to help you.

"As far as I can see the process has changed dramatically over the last couple of years and I can't find any school which allows to sit exams in Y7 for 13+ entry"

Sevenoaks School certainly worth a look OP. It's selects in year 7 for year 9 entry. Co-Ed and IB in 6th form. There are day students and boarders coming from London.

I would have a look at Fulham Senior school, they are opening a new building this year

About to RTFT but wanted to chip in there's Northbridge house Canonbury and Hampstead who might be a bit far?

And wow CAT 135+ is very bright. He definitely needs a school where he'll be challenged mentally, so IMO any of the backup schools should be stepping stones. Sorry this happened to you.

Thank you all, I'm doing my research (mainly on tfl.gov.uk and google.maps as to how to commute to all the schools suggested here ) preparing for the call with HM.

I'm thinking about staying at current prep for now, if top choice WL doesn't work out in Y8 then taking whatever's available for Y9-11 and with home support then trying to move for 6th form.

Btw - DS hasn't been tutored at all, we did some extra exercises together, but otherwise nothing outside of school. Not sure if this contributed to the outcome.

I know you've said that your 11+ waiting list option is worse than your prep but am intrigued about why you applied? There must have been something you liked about it or were you looking at using it as a stop gap until 13 as you weren't happy with his prep?

@Notmynom I applied for that school as a safety cushion long time ago, however, I was really underwhelmed by the way they managed admission process (nothing to do with the outcome) and in parallel there was some very negative feedback about this school in the recent six months or so, incl from some parents in our class who have older DCs there

It's already been mentioned but what about Thomas's Battersea square? They are starting the Y7 and 9 from September.

The other thing is if you have evidence of CAT scores and good ISEB you could just try ringing round other very selective schools now (for year 7 entry) and be open about what has happened and see if they would consider your DS, these waiting lists are not set in stone and once first tier candidates have said no, certain admission teams would love to be able to get a very bright child in.

Not read the full thread so not sure if a pp has mentioned but it’s also worth trying the new Broomwood Hall secondary school, think it’s called Northwood.

I would hold your nerve and look/wait for the right school.....not easy!
General pupil movement and waitlists really seem to move quite a lot in London Indies, although granted maybe not so much at the top end.
I know of pupils already changing schools since starting last September in Yr7.Some even going to schools they never originally applied for, but places just do come up.