Private schools - I’ve blown it, haven’t I?

[FollyClower]

I’ve one child in Yr 8 at our local state school and another in Yr 6 about to join her. We decided not to apply for places at any of the nearby independent schools, though I wasn’t totally confident about the decision at the time. Now I’m regretting it.

Can anyone give me an idea of the likelihood of obtaining places - it would be for yr 9 & yr 7 - at this late stage? I imagine all schools will be different, but I just wanted to get a feel for whether it’s even worth trying to pursue given that all exams have been sat, interviews had, etc.

Whereabouts are you, and how competitive are your local indies?

Some will have a second round of assessments, depending if they have spaces to fill. Would you be willing to move your eldest sooner than September?

Totally depends on the school and area

We moved our DD for the start of yr 8. Did a bit of reevaluating after a year of Covid classes, lockdowns & friendship issues. Our local small girls school had spaces (and a fair few more starting in various years). It’s not a highly competitive or selective school though.

It depends where you are - it wouldn’t be impossible where we are.

You won’t know until you ask . . . the schools you are considering.

You don't say the area or school, so it is impossible to comment. Many independent schools will have places - the ones which are competitive to get into will probably not have places. you need to find a school and then ask.

Utterly depends on where you live, how competitive the schools are around you and how bright your children are.
The selective private school where my children are would always find room for a bright child that they thought would thrive in their school.
But we live in a county town where private school is very much a wealthy privilege and the competition for places is not huge. They only take those they think will cope with the more rigorous academic demands but there’s always room for a clever kid.

I had this same panic last year. I had a last minute change of heart and only applied for my DD to go to an independent school in March. Luckily they ran a second round of assessments (like LIZS said) and she got in. Her year is now full with a wait list, so if I were you, I’d at least explore the possibilities asap. Good luck.

I'm sure many schools will accept new pupils at various times during the school year, depending on whether they have a place available.

I would advise you to contact the registrar.

You'll just need to call them and make an appointment to discuss it.

There are so many variables no one here can tell you.

Many schools have been hit by covid (loss of parents jobs, can't afford it now)

Just ask - they won't bite!

You presumably have a good idea of how competitive local private schools are. Are they usually over subscribed? Do they have waiting lists? Are your DC particularly talented in an area the schools want?

You lose nothing by phoning and asking. Most schools are businesses and do not want empty places so will tell you if they have vacancies or not.

Local independents vary from very competitive to not at all - there are quite a few. Children are both very academically able, the younger one especially so, which is the main reason I’m thinking they would be better off in a selective school with a larger group of similar peers.

There are 3 private schools in my district council. From what I can tell they always have spaces.

Thanks so much for all the replies. I do appreciate that it will totally depend on individual schools and circumstances, but I’m heartened to hear that it’s not a completely ridiculous idea. I

Several children DD knows have moved from state to private in years 8, 9 and starting Y10. We live in an area with excellent state schools, so possibly less demand for independent places, and with several universities nearby, so quite a lot of families who are only in the UK for short periods of time, freeing up.school places in both sectors.

Lockdown has made for a lot of turnover; definitely worth asking.

I’ve worked in several independent schools. The main bulk of offer letters will be going out now, but the process stays open - we often have students sign up just before term starts. We tend to only have a small percentage of students we accept actually come to us as they all do the rounds and apply everywhere. Enquire now and I’m sure you’ll be fine

It's worth applying, Folly, because people sometimes accept places and then drop out. It is the same with grammars.

Thanks everyone, I feel emboldened to make enquiries.

My daughter joined in a competitive school in south London in y8 (2 schools - 2 offers ), after miserable 11+ failure with 4 schools tried. A year on, she's super happy and doing great. So if your kids are up for the preparation, yes, totally doable! (and even less stressful I'd say) there is always movement. good luck!!

Due to movement in schools in south Manchester and cheshire, near me it's totally feasible

@FollyClower

Thanks everyone, I feel emboldened to make enquiries.

You may find you have to wait for occasional places at competitive schools, but currently places do come up - I think you may be too late for y7 but you could always start her in y8.

Some schools will have lots of places, especially those that are undersubscribed or non that selective in an area with selective schools. The most selective will not, and will have a wait list. Even they may well tell you that the door is not closed and that they will test for a wait list place.

Some will have scholarship places left but non scholarship places will have gone.

You won't know unless you ask.