City of London school 16+

[Tessa78]

Can anyone share their experience with City of London 16+ exams and an overall experience being at this school in Six Form?

My DS wanted to study there since he was 11. Unfortunately his 11+ was not successful (primarily my fault - my mother tragically died the same year and I couldn’t support him with his exams prep at all). He got a place at his 13+ at another school and he is doing very well there. He is doing music and German as extra curriculum, and actually German is one of the reasons he wants to go to City of London: his current school doesn’t have German at A Level.

What worries me: my DS has 11 GCSEs this year. Does it make sense to add another stress, I.e. 16+ entry exams? I understand the school has two layers of exams: CAT and the specific exams, and I don’t really want him to revise anything for CAT, but more to focus on his GCSEs topics. I guess my question: was it hard for your boys to pass the exams and whether was it worthy? Are they happy at their school?

My DS got through the 16+ exam without much specific prep at all.

He prepared for the interview which was billed as “getting to know you”. However after a couple of expected questions about why that school, why those subjects, he was asked fairly in depth academic questions about the subjects he wanted to study. He wasn’t prepared and struggled, the experience really upset him. I felt it was disrespectful tbh.

So if you decide to go for it then be warned. But if your DS is reasonably bright it may not need a huge amount of additional work.

Thank you Donotgogentle!my

my DS is reasonably bright, but exams are exams and need time for prep. My only concern is my DS has a lot on his place this year: GCSE, grade in music, next DofE… Thank you for your advice. I will pass it to my DS and ask him to consider if his dream to join this school worths all those efforts. I’m afraid he may say yes.

One of my DCs did 16+ at a similar school. Didn't really do any prep and was all done and dusted by mid November anyway so didn't impact revision for GCSEs or anything else. I think both the exam and interviews were on a Saturday so didn't need any time of school. I don't think a huge amount of prep should be needed really? I'd let him go for it but stress there is a lot of competition so he may well not be successful. It will probably depend a bit on his A level choices as well.

This was broadly my DS’s experience for City too.

Re the CAT paper, he did about 5 x 1 hour online revision sessions to remind himself on technique but nothing for the substantive subject exams on the basis he was doing that work for GCSEs anyway.

His interview was on a weekday, it was not a happy day.

I think my DC had to have a separate interview for each A level subject and a general one. They said they didn't go particularly well but theywasn't too bothered and I said it was good practice for life in general..

Thank you all!

talked to my DS and urged him to consider a high competition etc etc. he said he would go for it anyway as he liked this school from the first visit. Well, let’s see!