How often do occasional places arise at London girls' private schools?

[dutchlinda]

My DD is at a state school in Year 7 and not thrilled. We're hoping to switch her to a more rigorous state school (her current school is not), but she is academic and quite driven so for the first time we are thinking of going private.

How often do occasional places come up at your DD's London girls' private secondary school?

There is often more movement than the schools lead you to believe but the movement can be erratic. I’d just start ringing the admissions teams at the schools you are interested in and ask. It will be so variable. It only takes one family at a particular school to lose a job, suffer a bereavement, have a child who is struggling in that year group for whatever reason to mean that a place is available even when there ordinarily wouldn’t be. Anyone who wanted to avoid paying for the autumn term’s fees would have had to give notice by the beginning of this term so you may have just slightly missed the boat or you may find that there is an admissions person who is delighted to take your call having exhausted their waitlist as all of the girls on it are settled at the schools they have been at for the past year and the parents have decided that it’s better the devil you know.

@FoxandDuck Thank you so much! That was my instinct as well. I was thinking that we would have to wait a year anyway as she would probably need to prep for the entrance exams. (Also hoping we can find another state place.)

I can see lots of material about the 11plus requirements but surely the tests are different if entering later? If anyone knows I’m all ears though I know I should probably just call!

It’s tricky as my DD has lovely friends but finds the school quite boring and I can see what she means. But she has a lot of confidence at being at the top now and not sure how she’d feel about being at the bottom (and being one of the not wealthy kids at school!)

Some schools offer in year testing if there are places available. Scout out the websites of schools you like and call them to see if they have spaces. If they have then visit and see the school in person. They will explain their entry process to you.

Where are you? V approximately. I have experience of 10 schools- teacher and many dc!
One was duff, the rest really impressive. And yes I’ve done the practically weeping with the admissions lady (they’re lovely)

Just to add that if you don’t find a place for year 8, there may well be more chance of finding a spot for year 9 as it’s more of a natural move point - some go to board then for example.

She might not require that much preparation as the entrance process outside of the formal entry points may well be very different. If she is coasting where she is, then it may be better to move her sooner rather than later so that she can get properly settled into a new school before they even start thinking about GCSE choices.

Thank you all!
@Lamelie We are in North London but willing to travel!

I’m south, so not much help! Francis Holland Sloane Square was amazing. We had to be strict about friends and money, fortunately she was only there for VI Form. Pastoral care and teaching both excellent.
Phone round, if she’s coasting currently she’s unlikely to need coaching.

You can subscribe to the Good Schools Guide. Com , find out which are in your area and start calling them… I also believe the sooner she moves the better if she’s miserable. You may get a place this September, you never know!