Y5 girls not allowed at 11+ Open Days - is this new?

[KittyWithStripes]

Is this usual now? DD is starting Y5. It’s not a huge deal, but I’d always been told it’s nice to start looking around at a couple of Open Days when your DC are in Y5, because there’s so little time in Y6 before it’s decision crunch time. Seems reasonable, you and DCs can start getting an idea of what they’re like.

Been on the website for a couple of London girls secondaries (SHHS and others) and it’s strictly Y7 2024 entry only who are allowed to attend the Open Days. Has that always been the case?

It has always been the case. DD grammar runs one in spring for year 5 but one in autumn for those who have passed.

local schools run open mornings fir year 6 to make final decisiob

Is there something later in the academic year for those in Yr5 who are looking at a Sept '25 start? Where we live (outside London), there seemed to be one or two after Feb HT and then a flurry in the summer term which were open to anyone regardless of the age of their child.

Maybe a covid backlog?

And yes @letmesailletmesail most private schools do an open day in June/July.

We visited schools in year 5 (comprehensive schools and not in London). Like you I didn't want to leave it till year 6 when there is only a month left to decide. I emailed both catchment schools to ask if it was OK, one said yes and the other didn't reply so we went anyway. I know a few other families who did the same.

It's not a post Covid thing.

We've looked at those London schools (incl SHHS) post Covid and it was fine to bring a YR5 - in fact it was encouraged by our prep head as the children can picture what the 11+ is actually for.

I assume the schools are trying to be more efficient as from their perspective it makes sense to only invite YR6 students.

From what I’ve seen locally, the most competitive school is the most restrictive - the September open days are only for y6 and then there is one day this term that isn’t restricted. The other schools seem to be more relaxed.

I’ve got a little while but would like to look over a couple of years to spread out annual leave I need to take etc and get a better feel for the schools. I do think a restrictive approach to open days favours those coming from prep schools who have access to more knowledge/info about schools. I feel like I need more time moving from state to work out what I’m doing.

@KittyWithStripes A few schools had this rule last year (eg G&L) and I know some Y5 parents went and weren't challenged but I didn't dare risk it as I thought we'd get an immediate black mark against our name for flouting the rules.

I do think the Y6 rule is more widespread this year though as I've noticed that some schools we're planning on revisiting in Y6 that we saw in Y5 now have a Y6-only rule.

In an ideal world, parents would get to see schools in Y5, then create a shortlist, and revisit the favourite ones again with more perspective in Y6, not least because you want to know which exams your child will be targeting / what exam boards they'll be sitting / what prep to do (with more than a month to go...)

Don't think this matter at all. Lots of mums (esp for London) already made up their minds at least 4-5 schools they must apply before Y5. It is irrelevant when they have the chance to visit the school open days.

Still a lot of London private schools offer open day not just for Y6. Only few place hard restriction and I doubt those schools actually black mark their future customers, they want paid students who rank high in the exams.

Summer of year 5 there are open days, school visits., etc.
Sept in Year 6, open days etc.
Each school seems to have a different route and preferences.