Son didn't do well in 11+, options for mid year Y6?

[ashley30001]

Hi all,
Looking for some advice as we're new to the UK system. Son is in Y6 in a state school in central London and sat a bunch of 11+ exams to independent schools and didn't progress to stage II in any of them. This has been eye opening for us and we want to get him into a better school asap so he can start closing some academic gaps. We were thinking mid year Y6 entry into a few local independent prep schools that go upto 13+/GCSE. We would ideally like him to exit at Y8 end and go to a senior school. My question is: If many of the London senior schools already take their 13+ exams when kids are in Y6 (and we missed those), would it severely limit his options for senior schools for Y9 entry stage? Are there schools that assess kids in Y8 for Y9 entry? What other exit options are there for Y8 students in 13+ prep schools? (Not looking into boarding). Thanks in advance all

Most of the Co-Ed schools, Emanuel, Latymer Upper, Ibstock etc don’t have the 13 plus and all take a few into year 9 ( and year 8). Occasional places do come up as there is a fair bit of movement with international families and also schools not working out for one reason or another. Have also known boys who didn’t sit the 13 plus joining schools like Hampton, Kings etc in year 9.

Have also known lots of children who didn’t get in anywhere selective at 11 but have gone on to do very well academically. (And vice versa!) It’s all a bit of a lottery at such a young age and often not a reflection of how things will be later on! Also lots doing well at non selective State schools so don’t rule those out..

This happens to many in state school, who are not aware of what/how to prep for the 11+ But, once in a prep, they help they get up to speed. We have seen this happen. One dc ended up getting an occasional spot at St Paul's for year 9, after not having a spot anywhere for the 11+!

Your best bet is to contact a couple of prep schools that run to 13. You should ask about their success at placing children in this situation, and which schools tend to have places. A few secondaries hold back some places for y9 with an exam in y8, but not many, so you would be looking for an occasional place. But occasional places come up - children move overseas, or are unhappy or choose to board at 13.

When you say you are new to the UK system, how long ago did you move here? I would be a bit concerned about moving your child now, and again in year 8, having presumably moved to their current school not that long ago??
As there is no guarantee that your dc will become a high achieving student, I would recommend finding a less selective independent school they can stay in until 16. Giving your dc some stability will help them perform better / be happier, and a decent independent should allow them to achieve their academic potential.

It’s not unusual to go to a prep for y7 and y8. However these preps are feeding 13 plus entry schools like Harrow. You need to check destinations of their leavers in y8. Also ask them about what schools he might get into. It’s their job to know this. You need to be flexible in what you want too. What about boarding? Far more options than London day schools!

Ask the prep school heads where they might suggest as potential destinations and a later admissions process. Most will have enough contacts and experience to be able to advise you.

Where are you based? As there will be some London day schools which definitely will offer late entry. They are not the most academic ones so usually about a good cultural fit rather than acing exams but can be a good grounding if you wanted to try for a 13+ / or occasional place later.

Wetherby Senior, Northbridge house Canonbury, Kensington Park, London Park, Maida Vale are all senior schools which are worth looking at depending on where you are based. If you can be more specific with general area I’m sure people can be more targeted with advice.

I agree with a PP @ashley30001 – are there some non-selective private schools that you might be able to approach? I don’t know about deadlines but anecdotally some private schools may be losing students because of increased taxes and CoL issues – which may mean they are more amenable to a later application (if this would be late).

It”s not clear (sorry) when you moved to the UK but did you make an on-time application to a state school, or are you only considering private schools? if the latter then the advice of others re asking the prep school for support with ongoing applications is good.

11+ in London is batshit especially for boys where the schools typically have only 36 places and 500 applicants (unlike private girls schools, the main entry point for boys is 13 where they have more vacancies).

If you’re new to the uk it’s a level of competitiveness that you don’t typically see in other countries and can be quite a shock. Many parents put their kids through the 4+, 7+ etc and unless you started tutoring age 2 like these other parents you don’t stand a chance.

Did any of the schools provide feedback on performance so you know how far off the mark your child was? Ie is applying to a competitive school still an option? Some of the other schools noted above eg Northbridge don’t have a high entry criteria but also don’t get much better results than state so you have to decide what’s important to you.

Did you put in an application for state schools also?

Others have already said it but I wanted to reiterate that - if you’re new to the UK - you might be unfamiliar with the amount of prep that goes into London 11+ schools. It starts at year 4 and none of it happens at school - these children are all tutored.

In order to get into some schools (like Highgate, for example), they generally have to be doing maths at GCSE level. So your son could be very bright and have done very well for someone who hasn’t been tutored. But he wouldn’t get through to the next round because he hasn’t done enough prep.

Also, some these exams are the sort that you have to learn how to pass - like non verbal reasoning.

I know children who did full summer camps dedicated to grammar 11+ (in London) and didn’t get through to round 2.

What I'm saying is: I wouldn’t worry about his academic credentials just based on the 11+ circus if you haven’t been preparing him for it!

Just to reassure you OP- you absolutely do not need to have GCSE maths to get into ANY school at 11 plus! And lots of kids at State primary get in without tutoring from Year 4. It’s usually a matter of exam technique rather than curriculum covered.

My child’s best friend did the 11+ for Highgate and had to be working at GCSE level for maths to get a place (along with all the other exam prep). They did get a place, and that’s what their parents told me!

They obviously don’t have a GCSE in maths at age 11, but were working at this level with their tutor.

That's what they told you.

You could try Thames Christian School in Clapham Junction for yr 7 onwards if they still have spaces. Small school, small class sizes and could be helpful in building confidence and filling gaps etc

Very true! My child didn’t sit the exam, so I don’t know!

So many of DC’s friends got stuck into the whole thing and it seemed frantic and ridiculously competitive and it was all the parents would talk about for years (pretty much year 4 onwards - mostly the parents who were applying for the grammars, tbh - Laytmer especially).

I was just trying to reassure OP that these kids are tutored big time, and the fact that her son didn’t get through to round 2, doesn’t mean he isn’t doing well enough at school or that he isn’t bright.

@Clasaassa- I suspect your friends were trying to convince themselves that the £££ they spent on tutoring was worth it! I have DCs at schools that are more academic than Highgate in terms of league tables. Were at state primary and just had tutoring for exam technique. Certainly no GCSE maths! Am also involved in admissions at one of the ’ top’ schools and again they are certainly not looking for GCSE in anything!
Having said that, we’re in SW London and some of the N London parents are on another level!

OP is not targeting grammars, private schools are an entirely different landscape with more options, especially after VAT as many second tier schools are now losing pupils and likely to have occasional places. I guess new schools like Wetherby Pembridge may be interested too. Or Alleyns Hampstead, even though it's not technically new.

OP it doesn't have to be prep, unless you only want super selectives. There are lots of all through schools.

Oh c'mon, Westminster, SP, Kings are not north of the river! 😂

Oh boy are these N London parents another level! 😂 (Well, I have no experience of other areas but it was truly anyone would talk about for years. It made me want to run away to Finland!)

Now that one of my DC is at secondary, the talk has stopped. People seem to have found their place.

So I find that once your child is on whatever “track”, the stress of schools and status anxiety winds down… (maybe?!)

Well Westminster is technically! Kings definitely has a (very) slightly less highly strung parent body!

Thanks all for the responses. Super helpful. I’ll look into the schools mentioned above. We’re based in Chelsea if that helps provide some specific school names.
agreed that the 11+ was wayyy more competitive than I anticipated. We also applied to schools only in SW which also tend to be super competitive - King’s, St. Paul’s etc. I believe my son is a bright boy, and has many talents. I want him to be in a place where he’s thriving as much as he can academically and in other co/extra curriculars. he’s not enjoying his state school much and going daily is becoming a dread for him. So the change is also largely driven by just wanting him to be in a place he likes going to daily. (Though I understand kids will dislike school to an extent regardless 😅)

The Y7 entry deadlines for all schools I looked up have passed. But I’m understanding from the responses that it’s still worthwhile reaching out to less selective ones and asking if a place is available for Y7? Or second option of moving mid year Y6 to a school that goes beyond Y9 so he has some stability for a few years. Is my understanding correct?

The ones I listed definitely are worth reaching out to. NBH Canonbury is probably a bit too far tbh but the rest are ok I think location wise for you. Wetherby Pembridge also maybe a good shout too. Although deadlines have passed I am certain all of them would consider your son - especially given the non UK background / currently at state situation. Some may ask you to wait until offers and acceptances are made and received - usually March.

Otherwise yes he could move mid year 6, keeping in mind that there will be a bit of movement at y7 with boys leaving for day schools. Good options could be Wetherby prep and Hill House. Sussex house too - and Brighton college prep (this maybe still too selective)

Even if bright, depending on how long you had to prepare for the exams there will have been a lot of kid who have had a year to prep for exam technique and get used to VR/NVR type questions.

There will definitely be a school, and probably more than one which will be open to having your DS.

@ashley30001did you have a tutor and did they advise on schools? Did you use Atom and if so was he scoring highly? If not I would get him assessed by a tutor so you have some guidance of where he sits in his cohort as a whole, ie where he sits academically in sw London private schools. It’s a highly competitive area and all the dc sitting the 11plus for kings / St Paul’s are outstanding academically/ multi extra curricular / prepped for the exams etc. The U.K. eduction system is very exam driven and you need to find a school where he will thrive, not the first place that will take him.

Check out Thomas campus if they have spaces to move in Battersea or Kensington, Thomas which now have a senior school campus to 18. Knightsbridge school that goes up to 16. Wetherby Pembridge a new senior school that goes up to 18. This allows your DC to apply to schools without the pressure of having to move. In fact call on Mon to see if you can move your DC for this term onwards. Those schools would be more relaxed for Year 6 since 11+ would be completed.

Try out Atom and a Tutor to cover gaps, creative writing has a marking checklist and maths the worded questions are based on your child understanding what is being asked and using the right formula.

Try for occasional places in Latymer Upper, Emanuel, Ibstock, Harrodian as another MN mentioned. Check if you apply for 11+ St Paul can you reapply at 13+?

Check out good schools guide.co.uk and London Preprep website. It would cover more London schools options.

True :) but somehow it never feels like a N London school 😂