London Oratory recent experiences

[gracijela]

Dear all, my son has just been offered a place in LOS, and although we are very happy, there are some ambiguities I can't work out from the prospectus. My main question is: are we to expect a banding test in the near future, and are the boys divided into classes according to the (banding) outcomes? If so, how rigid are those 'bands' - eg. is there a level of mobility?
Also, has anyone received some information on 'transition days' or, for those more familiar with the procedures, do they normally hold some kind of summer camps for the future Y7? Many thanks.

Would hope that mobility is allowed..not a very redemptive ethos if not😔

Not much in the first two years. Sets are redone in year 9 and then again in year 10. Even then I wouldn't say there was masses of movement. Partly because the original tests do probably have some predictive utility but also I imagine because of reinforcement in terms of peer group, expectations and pace. Theoretically all the sets cover the same material.

@RioYeo this is interesting to hear. Could you please elaborate on the "reinforcement in terms of peer group"?

Teens are massively influenced by the peers around them and want to be like them. Being placed in a different set can turn a small initial difference in attainment into a larger one over time. I think that is the same in all schools.

Thank you. Yes, all true. That's why I am really hoping that my son will make it to so called "letter sets" next year. He is getting really complacement by doing well in a lower-ability class. The expectations are low and the level of debate rather poor.

Does anyone on this thread have any experience or knowledge of the Junior House?