Thomas’s Battersea and 13+ preparation

[Nina11]

Hi All
We are going to join Thomas’s Battersea on September for Y7 and I was wondering if they prepare kids for 13+ exams or they assume you will join their senior school at the end of Y8. A parent just warned me about that and I’m quite worried now! Thanks 🙏

Why would you join a school without first checking this? Seems an important aspect you missed. They have their own senior school but have other leavers destinations. It's not difficult to find.

Which 13 + exams do you mean? CE? Most schools
pre test in year 6 and by year 7 you already have a place for a year 9 start ? You’re too late for most 13+ schools?

I understand that, about my child, it was quite a special circumstance and we had to move. But I thought we would have a chance for 13+.

They absolutely prepare for 13+, no expectation of kids going onto their senior school. It’s an option, that’s all.

Thank you very much @Aerin1999 . Big relief 😮‍💨

What schools are you planning on applying to for year 9 entry? There are very few day schools with a route that does not involve pretest in year 6.

@Planet3 I know we don’t have much choices but there are schools like Harrodian that offer occasional places for their 13+.

Do you have a boy or a girl? There is a lot of movement in London even at secondary and spaces do become available in Y9. All the schools with their main intake at 11plus take DCs in y9 ( and Y8) even if not a huge amount.

@whathaveyoudonelately thanks for your tip. But what’s the protocol? Should I just go round and call every school in the area?

I'd just wait until your DC has started Y7 and then trust the process with Thomas'.

@whathaveyoudonelately thanks🙏

Errr... I agree with your friend. Most 13+ from Battersea are going to boarding schools who have pre tested and dropped the formal CE / 13+ exams. There is not much specific 13+ preparation.

@MBappse so you mean the new cohort they take for 11+ is intended for their senior school?

I would say mostly they would be, yes. Although there would still be some from the "junior" bit of the school who have not yet sorted their 13+ places, and perhaps some of the newcomers too. But much better to talk to school about all this, they are very open and understanding. It's more the fact there is not much need for 13+ anymore that they don't prepare kids for it, rather than whether the kids are staying on for the senior school or not.

@MBappse thanks🙏