City 10 plus

[Ana19755]

Has anyone had experience with the City 10+ reserve list? We really thought he would be offered a place, as his interview and group task went well. We didn’t use a tutor and didn’t spend a lot of time preparing, but he still sat several exams and attended the interview and assessment day. He was very upset by the outcome and cried for most of the evening. What are the chances of coming off the reserve list?

Hi,
Unfortunately, yesterday was the deadline for offer holders to accept their places, and we were informed that no places can currently be offered from the reserve list. They said our child will remain on the waiting list.
My child is very upset. Is there still any hope that a place might become available?

I guess a small chance someone changes their mind. But it’s really up to you now to remind him this really was like a test-run, a place is a bonus and he did really well and is well set-up for next year. To be that upset suggests he thought it was definitely likely and the odds are stacked against, especially when you hadn’t prepared.

Thanks.He is unhappy at his current school, and a few of his friends who went through the same admissions process were offered places. Some of the children who were accepted had been preparing for a long time and had private tutoring. His best friend who is already in a private school told us they were doing Atoms in school.
Financially, moving him to a private school would be a strain for us. At the moment, he is also not studying consistently, and we do not have a plan to arrange private tutoring. We are hoping that he will get a place and that he won’t need to go through the admissions process again next year.

Honestly? Unlikely. Unlike 11+ you don’t have state school places in play where someone would hold out to see what they get there. And few places do 10+ so very little of people releasing places because offered first choice elsewhere. And it is a small cohort they take anyway. Plus even go to waiting list there will be plenty of boys on it so statistically wouldn’t go to your boy anyway.

More generally I would be really careful about putting a child in private school at this stage if a financial stretch already - fees will only get higher.

To get to waiting list without much prep is a great result so time to think carefully about the 11+ process and getting ready for wherever you want to apply. He clearly has talent but you’re competing against highly prepped boys for high end schools so talent is not by itself enough.

Thanks. I know. If it were up to me, I would leave the UK tomorrow. The job situation has been really difficult for me and my partner since the pandemic, and few good schools are very competitive. I have a child who is bright but very sensitive, and I worry about the pressure on him. Unfortunately, my partner believes we should stay here.

Come on now - there are loads of good schools in London not just a few. It has great performing secondary state schools (by national standards) and many great independent schools. You’ve picked a highly competitive one in City with a small 10+ intake, If you worry about pressure I would think about schools that take a somewhat broader academic range of pupils but still have plenty achieving top grades with good pastoral support.

If you’re staying in the Uk lick your wounds on the 10+, then move to carefully research your secondary options and start proper prep for any exams.

Thank you for your advice. We will look at our options after he feels better. I wish we had not taken the exam as a practice for the 11 Plus. I’ve had a really difficult couple of days...

I can’t help but notice that it’s your upset that’s coming over more? I would guess you had assumed he’d get in and let him know that and your surprise and disappointment is rubbing off on him? As others have said, we have the responsibility for guiding our kids in expectations and responses. It’s a 10+, very hard, many enter to avoid 11+. It’s good he’s done it / gives you both an idea of standard and him a mock experience. It’s not disastrous / the majority don’t get a place. But tells you work needs to be put in for next year.