Wanstead state primary to private secondary - is it possible?

[Bow7400]

Hi I know that the conversation around state v private primary has been done to death but I would really like some advice! Our DS did not get an offer at our local state school and we really did not think we would get a place as it is a CoE primary. We looked at local private schools and DS got a place at Snaresbrook prep. We liked the school, it seemed friendly, the teachers were engaged and the results into private secondaries seemed good.
We found out last week that DS got a place at Wanstead Church School which is the school we wanted (it is an outstanding state primary)! We were really happy and want to send him to the state but we know that for secondary we would like to go private. We are worried after seeing the results for Snaresbrook prep that DS maybe at a disadvantage at Wanstead Church School to get into private secondary.

Does anyone have any experience of moving from state primary to private secondary and specifically have any experiences of either of these schools and know of anyone that moved from yr 6 Wanstead Church School to private secondary? If they did move successfully how did you do it!

Really appreciate any thoughts or insights!

I don't know the schools in question, but both of mine have gone from a perfectly standard primary to a competitive private secondary. It's perfectly doable. I think it's a question of finding a good fit secondary for your child (just as it would be for a prep school child). Our distinct feeling was that the secondary school really likes having kids from state primaries as well as preps - when we talked to the admissions person at the open day, we were pretty much told that, and strongly encouraged to apply, with reassurances that they quite understood that state applicants would be a bit less prepped for entrance exams, less polished at interview, and might not have a detailed reference (or any reference at all) from their primary school. Of course, you could say 'oh they would say that', but this isn't a school that's struggling to fill places, and they seemed to say it very genuinely. Once we joined the school, the only thing we really noticed was that our kids had done a lot less sport than a lot of the prep school kids - it's never been a problem, as the sport is very inclusive so they still get lots of matches etc, but it's a definite difference. One thing you could consider is starting at the state primary and moving later if you think it's worth it - lots of people still do the 'state until eight' thing. If you've got a particular secondary in mind, you could also go for a tour and ask them the question - see what response you get.

We're in Woodford and both of my children have gone from a lovely state school to a very selective private school. My eldest applied for 3 private schools and got offers from 2 (got through to interview at Bancrofts). My youngest is less academic but got one offer. We had a fabulous tutor and their primary state schools gave them excellent references.
It's difficult - the local private primaries here dedicate a full year to prepping pupils for the entrance exams. They even prep them for the interviews. Plus every private primary school parent I know pays for additional tuition. Local states don't do any prep. However, a tutor will help and the private schools recognise the difference. (The school mine go to take more state school kids than private school kids at 11+).
As haaaahooo mentions my eldest really noticed a difference in sports (and languages in our case), but the sports teams are very inclusive and the school makes sure every pupil plays fixtures regardless.
So, as long as you're prepared to get a tutor, I don't think being in a state primary school will be an issue. Go with the school you feel is a better fit for your child.

No experience of private schools, but Wanstead Church School is a fantastic primary. Such a great community and so supportive and welcoming. The headteacher is relatively new and she is brilliant.

Facing the same dilemma - DD has been offered a place at Wanstead Church and has been offered an informal assessment at St Aubyn's school. I am very torn. Any insight would be much appreciated. @Bow7400 Did you go to Wanstead Church or to the private one in the end?

Wanstead Church is a good school. School will offer lots of local friends and activities after school like Karate at Wanstead library and 11 plus tutoring (nearly all children are tutored but not acknowledged by their parents). Cricket, tennis as well as language club at the Wanstead house. However, if you both work full time then I would choose Forest or Bancroft at 7 plus. There is a tuition centre in Ilford, prepares children for all private and grammar schools including QE ( too far to travel) and king Edward boys . I guess you are practicing Christian so also have an option of Davenant secondary ( based on your attendance) .

I'd save your money and spend (far less) on 11+ tuition in year 5. We're nearby and kids from our pretty standard primary - Ofsted good rather than outstanding - have got into Forest, Bancrofts and grammars - Woodford County High and Latymer. Also know kids that have started at Forest and switched to grammar at 11.

Hi @Stokey i know this is a pretty old thread but do you have any insight into how stringent Latymer are with their catchment area policy? We are thinking of moving to Wanstead which I believe will be outside of the official postcode range so I assumed would make that school off limits but interested to know whether you think that is the case based on your knowledge? Thanks!

@Norberta the Latymer catchment area is very strict - but also very large. You don't need to be in catchment to take the exam but if you get through into the top 650, you have until around 10 January to move into catchment, otherwise your child is removed from the waiting list. So a non-catchment child would not be able to attend. E4 and E17 are both in catchment but not E11.