Do many private schools have yr7 places to fill at this time?

[SuperSue77]

Just wondered if anyone knew whether any independent/private schools had yr7 places they look to fill at this stage in the run up to Sept? We lost an appeal for my son to go to our local school and we’re trying to work out what to do next. He was turned down from a few small nurturing non-selective private schools during the usual intake process but we feel h to us was based on an old ASD diagnosis report and he has come on so much since then, he has matured, he is on ADHD medication and he has found a new passion in football which is enabling him to mix with other boys and improve his social interaction. Some of these schools didn't even meet him! He is bright and has no cognitive issues, just needs some support from time to time with coping with disappointment.
I’m wondering if these schools might now be looking at their financial forecasts for next year and thinking they’d like to take one or two more children?

It depends on the area and school. But it is worth calling around as in some areas this year 7 cohort was a lower birth year for some reason.
Some schools are oversubscribed and have maximum class sizes. Others flex a bit more.

Whereabouts are you?

The most prestigious and selective school in our area are struggling to fill their places. They have lots of FB sponsored adds and recruitment events going on to fill their yr7 places

I’m in Surrey where there seems to be no end to the amount of money people have.

If a school has already turned down someone for that academic year I don’t think that they would reconsider at this point (unless you applied very early). I would look for some new schools where you can start the process afresh.

@SuperSue77
I am so very sorry you didn't win the appeal, gutted for you.
What reasons did they give for their decision?
Can you see anything that they may have missed?

Yrs im not sure somewhere that has turned him down would reconsider.

Surreys quite big.

Any prep schools that go to year 9 might be worth a shot.

Might be worth talking to an educational consultant? A few hundred quid but they may know who has space and will take ds. Good Schools Guide have a SEN consultancy service.

They didn’t give me time to say everything I wanted to. They rushed everyone through and the Chair said they’d heard enough before I’d had a chance to ask all my questions of the school. Their manner was brusque and I felt intimidating into changing what I intended to say by cutting things out. The Chair told me to “summarise” my case and I explained that I thought I would have the opportunity to present my case in the same way the school had, and then the Clerk said “you can have the time you need” but in a begrudging way that made me feel bullied into being as fast as I could, hence me missing bits. The first two women who went in to have their individual hearings came out in tears.

Where in Surrey? Some schools make consider and may not be full. Problem is all schools will want to see an educational psychology report or latest report. May be worthwhile redoing one costly but will probably help

@SuperSue77
I hope one on the experts will come along with their slant on this for you.
If you don't feel you were given a fair hearing, you may have grounds to ask for a judicial review, but I'm no expert.
@panelchair, can you advise on this please?

I’ve had prh47bridge’s view and they agree. I just feel I have no fight left in me right now. I’ve been fighting for my son for several years now alongside a stressful full time job. I just have no energy left and yet I need to keep fighting for him.

Any prep schools near you (I.e go to 13), they often have places because they lose children at 11 to independent day schools.

I had friends in similar situation, but more West London. Prep school was perfect. The child had 2 years in a small nurturing environment the head then advised them best options for 13 (they also often have contacts).

You could go on the wait list for the school you want and you may find you get a place in a bit anyway.

Echoing others, DS is in a prep school to 13 and they often take at year 7.

What is your other state option? Might be worthwhile taking a second look. Private schools have a cheek wanting money and 'problem free' kids imo. State can be more caring but are under resourced. You could donate what would have been fees to where he ends up?

Another recommendation for looking at a prep to 13+. They often have Y7 places as people leave at 11. It gives you two years to “undo” the hangover of an out of date medical assessment.

I would, however, make sure that there are usually places at 13 for boys at the sort of next schools you would be interested. Also, some of these schools may already have 13+ places filled through pre testing. 13+ places are more common at boarding schools though - is this something you would consider? A chance place at a state school will be less likely.

@AlyssumandHelianthus he had
his transition day at the state option and it went quite well. It’s the only option left to us now so I’m going to try and be really positive about it for him. The big issue is getting him there, too vulnerable to attempt the convoluted bus journeys, so we parents will have to drive him through congested roads each day, pretty miserable given his sisters can walk their their school and they all walked to their primary.
I do get the sense his state school are more caring. I know they “have to” take him, but I also feel like they actually “want” to educate him, and make a difference to his life. I imagine it’s more rewarding making a difference to a child like my son than it is to a group of kids who just sit there doing what they’re told. The indy that turned him down recently said they couldn’t support him without 1-2-1 support - I wanted to reply “are you teachers that poor that they can’t manage my son in a class of 18 without a 1-2-1 when his current state teacher has a class of 30 and manages fine?!! But I have just kept quiet as it is just the bitterness coming out in me. Another issue with the indy was that it only
offers combined science whereas the state school does triple sciences and also additional
maths.
I like your idea about donating some money to the state school, I will do that and be grateful that my son has a decent school to go to. Thank you for your suggestion. x

I hope all goes well for him! I was really worried about my (mildly) SN kid's transition to secondary and we looked at private too. Like your experience, they didn't want him and he's far from needing 1:1. At his state he's had; art therapy, school time extra tutoring in English, really responsive form tutors who have sorted out various issues, pretty much immediate switch to online lessons and weekly phone check ins during the pandemic, help to get involved in DofE, and so many more things. The teachers really deserve the pay rise they're campaigning for.

@AlyssumandHelianthus thanks for your reassuring post! I also agree with you about the teachers’ pay, so many of them go over and above to support our children. I’m glad you’ve had such a positive experience for your son.