Radnor House- How selective?

[KindergartenKop]

Hi! My DS has registered for the 11+ at RH in November. They are moving to a new site and doubling their intake for Y7 2023. How competitive was it before the site move and would it therefore be less competitive this year?

DS is also applying to Hampton and KGS and sat the 10+ for these, didn't make the cut but feedback was that he's about the standard they expect at 11+.

At the moment it looks like its all one big planning application, which will take years, rather than "rolling" bitesize applications.

I went to the open day at radnor last Saturday - the school staff then took us to Kneller hall. They will definitely be moving into Kneller Hall in September 2023 - the main building , music block & sports pavilion will be ready (not dependent on planning) and there will be a modular academic plan. Then the substantive academic block completed Easter 24 and sports complex & swimming pool by summer 24. Their contingency plan seems strong and the Head Mr Wideman is very experienced- an excellent Head. That’s what they presented to us.

I'm not sure why the council would stand in the way of the application. Wouldn't they rather see a thriving private school on the grounds of Kneller Hall than an old building going to waste and crumbling?

Assuming everything is done presently and correct - why would they want to prevent it going ahead.

They won't "stand in the way" but the planning department are overstretched and have a backlog of major developments ahead of this one in the queue.

@dynamits Do you have that on good authority or conjecture. Have you actually heard someone in the planning department say that? Do you work there?

I'd like to know as it's a school we are considering.

I live locally, follow local issues on social media and in the press, take an interest, and can see other developments taking a long time. Richmond council's planning dept has been merged with Wandsworth and resources were cut back due to government "austerity" cuts. So they are under-resourced.

Here's the list of major developments. If you scroll through from the bottom up and look at the "decision due" dates you'll see what I mean: www2.richmond.gov.uk/PlanData2/Planning_MajorDevelopments.aspx

Well you had Radnor already? Pretty easy to get in from Early years, even more years ago. I don't understand your comment.

The new radnor model is taking children from reception all the way through to 6th form . The existing radnor only takes from year 5. If the new model was in place when I was looking for a reception place, I would have put my kids in like a shot. There are no other all through co-Ed independents locally , and assuming that they take nearly all of the children through to senior from prep, the chance to not have to worry about the 11+ would have made it very appealing.

Still don't get it as you could always join very easily in year 5. In the meantime go to whatever school is the most convenient for you. Actually I would have preferred that. In any case, entry to Kneller will be very easy as they need to fill the spaces. That is the priority number one, get those fees x seats up. They are owned by private equity and revenues come first.

I have no issue with the private equity. They are a business that needs to make money and the best way to do that is to become a successful and desires me school locally.

@KindergartenKop to answer your initial question, radnor will be easier than the last few years to get in to as they need to get bums on seats. They have been over subscribed the last few years but are quite often a back up choice due to the limited facilities they had on the current site. new plans will make it very popular but many parents won’t take the gamble of sending their kids their before planning is approved. . I would say your best chance of joining is now as they make the move the kneller and need to fill it. Good luck

@Whatsblueandflies that was my reckoning too! Thanks