Starting to look for 11+/13+

[Solasum]

We are based in inner London, and DS is aged 8, Year 3, in a prep.

I know it is early days, but I am keen to get a strategy for looking at next steps.

So far I have got as far as would consider boarding from 13+, if a day school would want it to be an easy journey.

What else should I be thinking about? When is it best to tour?

His school do information sessions a bit further on, but it does seem to push people into particular schools. They also cover pretest.

All input welcomed

I'd start by making a very long initial list.

Put on it all the day schools which are easy to reach (remember some have coach routes, so can be easier from some areas than you might expect (eg Kensington to Dulwich)

Also every area in which you'd consider 13+ boarding (is he at a prep that goes to year 8 already, or would that mean two moves?) eg where you have family, places easy to reach by car or train.

Then sort it what sorts of big things matter - single sex/coed, A level or IB, any particular facilities that would really benefit your DS? What is he like - what sort of school will,see him thrive?

Then look at the online prospectuses - obviously designed to market the school, but always a worthwhile start point. Then subscribe to the Good Schools Guide and read the reviews on the schools still on the list.

Then you could ask here, in tandem with finding out from the school where they think he would fit. And hope you end up will a short list.

You probably want to have done most or all of your visits by year 5, so year 4 isn't too early to start, especially if you want to look first time without your DC.

Thanks @AnotherNewt. Do you recommend visiting first time without DC then? Why is that? In case they fall in love and you really don’t?

I suppose work on the basis he isn’t going to dramatically change over the next 5 years.

Why is that? In case they fall in love and you really don’t?

Pretty much. Also in case they take against the school you really think will suit for some random reason connected to the open day.

Also, because you might want to look round quite a few, and that could get tedious. Better a few visits to your pre-cooked shortlist (which can be done in year 5 or even year 6 depending on when deadlines fall)

As took DDs. They are going to live there. What they thought was important to us. We shortlisted and then listened to them. However we all agreed!

For avoidance of doubt, I do not mean you don't take them at all.

I mean you take them only on your second visits to the (much shorter) list of schools you still like after your first adult visit.