Boys 13+ entry

[HowFarIsTooFar]

Hello!

We are relocating to London (probably northwest / central) in September 2025 and

I’m wondering what to do with my Year 6 son. I think he could get a place at a Prep School - which would give him some stability as he could stay for three years, rather than move twice in two years (ie a new primary school for Yr 6 and then a secondary for Yr 7).

However, looking ahead does that leave us with a problem in Year 9? I think City, Highgate and UCS have all stopped doing Yr 9 entry.

Does anyone know which schools are still offering it? Is it just SPS and Westminster? Doesn’t feel at all sensible to rely on getting a place there!

I’m worries that preps these days just feed to boarding schools and that DS will just be searching for an Occasional Place in Year 9…

Very grateful for insight - we are coming from the countryside where it is all much simpler!

I have just done exactly this - moving in August of last year and DS has just come through the ISEB/11+/13+. You’re right re Boarding school. Day places at 13+ are only the super selectives City/SPS/Westminster (we did all but SPS) unless you go further north to Mill Hill/St Albans. Def feel free to DM me

You should definitely have your DS sit for the 11+, for the reasons you mention. Far more choice, and more places. Spending one year in a prep, is no big deal. It happens a lot for many reasons (e.g. parents move their kid to a more academic school in year 6 for the 11+ prep, or because year 6 in a particular prep school gets depleted due to many kids passing the 10+, etc.). There is always lots of movement in London. And year 6, because of all the exams and the prep, goes by very quickly.

Besides, by sending him to a school that goes to year 8, you are likely to face too small a class in years 7 and 8 (most kids do the 11+) and any friends that your DS makes in year 6 may leave. In Central London, the 13+ has ended up being mainly for boarding.

I would get an Atom subscription and start the prep now for the 11+. You have sufficient time to prep, if you start now and are methodical.

Thank you - super helpful advice.

It sounds like just doing one year is not as big a deal as I thought. Really grateful for the input.