Chances of getting into academically selective independent school from state primary

[Schoolsdilemma123]

Hello,
Longtime MN lurker here - first time posting. I'm in Hertfordshire and when DS is older I'd love him to go to one of the academically selective independent schools within reach such as St Albans boys, QE, or habs. We are applying to primary school now and I would like him to go to our (Good- rated) local state school as its right on our doorstep so mornings would be easy and he would have local friends. I assumed that we wouldn't have a problem getting him in to one of academically selective secondary schools later on if we pay for tutoring and nurture his extra- curricular interests etc. Obviously I think he's a little genius but every parent thinks that about their kid so may not be accurate!
However, I recently spoke to a parent who is sending her children to private prep school for primary; she claimed that 100% of them pass the entrance exams to the secondary schools of their choice and it's much more difficult for state school kids to get in, even with tutoring. Is this true? I've been looking at various schools websites to try to find out roughly what % of their intake comes from prep schools vs state but the data doesn't seem to be available.
We can afford private primary but I'd prefer to have a few years to build up our savings before we start paying school fees as we've just spent a lot on doing up the house. Plus the issue of having to drive him every morning. I'm aware some parents choose 'state until 8' but my son is highly strung and I think uprooting him halfway through his primary school career would really unsettle him so I'd like to make the right choice from the outset. Thanks so much if you've read through this essay and have any advice!

Nowadays private secondary schools are not such as academic hothouses as they used to be. Many have SEN teachers, and several streams in subjects like maths.

Two of my GC are at a private secondary - a very highly thought of establishment. One has a brain like a planet and got a scholarship, the other passed the entrance exam, but no scholarship - I think he got in by sheer force of personality at the interview!

You don’t need private school. You need to make sure your dc learn to read, and then read a lot of books. You need to make sure your dc are proficient in maths. In Y4 do some gentle introductions to the sort of material in entrance tests (but not a lot). In Y5 get a tutor or use Atom.

the main thing is how you parent rather than the school you choose. You can help your children learn to read quickly or you can let them go with the flow and just be taught at school. You can give them books or unlimited screen time etc

If your child is bright, does he need a selective indy, or would a non-selective offer him just as much, without the pressure?

@CloudPop , I agree that we should be wary of such '100%' claims.

Actually, I don't think it would be that hard to achieve this figure if they manage parents' expectations and are listened to. If they advise the parents of the less academic kids to apply to non-selective schools which use exams only for setting, and the parents of the brighter kids to apply to schools which require only low pass marks, I don't think it is impossible that 100% would pass. It isn't hard to get into an independent school if you set your sights at a realistic goal.

Now if they were saying 100% got into Eton or Roedean, then I would be sceptical.

Following this post, having done much research there is no material academic difference between Habs, MT and St Albans. Parents at those schools will say differently. If you are looking for super selective schools then look at the top ten schools such as Westminster, City or St Paul’s.

Can I put my 2p in on this conversation.
We recently moved from overseas, lived in Astralia for 12 years.

However, while we were in Australia, I applied for my daughter for Habs.
She was in a local state school in Australia, and had never had any tutoring whatsoever. Also bearing in mind, the Australian education system has a more relaxed approach to learning, and they're also 6 months behind due to our academic year starting in January rather than Sept.
My daughter was also entering into year 8 - so not your usual entry point.
Habs sent the exam papers to the school in Australia via email, and someone form the school invigilated her. She made it in, and is now thriving at Habs.

I'm not saying the private prep doesn't help, but I'm inclined to believe that entry into a selective school is very much dependent on the child and their natural aptitude. If I'm honest, we had applied to other schools, as we didn't believe out daughter would make it into such a competitive school, because she'd never had to learn in that sort of environment, or where assessments are so vital, such as the 11+ etc, as we didn't have that sort of thing in Australia. So we were all pleasantly surprised. Proud of course, but I am now debating whether putting a child under pressure with the 11+ is really worth it. I have a year 4 boy in a local state school.
Just sharing my experience...

My son into got all schools pvt or state without any tuitions but with my full support. He cleared Westminster as our first choice but in the end we went for local top grammar school because of train commute.

I presume someone has already mentioned this, but QE is a state school not an independent. Your son would sit the exam & then apply through your local authority.