21st October 2024 · Latest News
We all know that places at London’s most prestigious secondary schools are highly sought-after and the admissions process can be a demanding one for children, particularly if multiple applications have been made. Your child will go through a period of exams, interviews and tests as well as additional tasks for those pursuing academic, art, music or sports scholarships.
But with the right support and a well-planned approach, children can manage the array of assessments and emerge satisfied – and unscathed. Read on for our fool-proof guide to surviving admissions.
Do your research
The starting point for many parents is understanding how your child will be assessed. Prep schools will be well versed in the requirements of prospective secondary schools, even if they change from year to year. To support your child, try to be on top of this too. As well as having on-going, regular conversations with your child’s current school about what the process will involve, ask the secondary school you’re interested in how they assess.
Be clear with your child about the format and content of the tests as different schools have different approaches.
In the main, the interviews are geared towards finding out about the pupil – a chance for pupils to talk about their interests and ask about the school. There will be a few scenario-based questions, such as, ‘If you met the prime minister what would you ask him?’.
WANDSWORTH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
- Applications to join Year 7 in September 2025 open online on 1st September 2024 and close on 31st October 2024
- Put up to six schools on your application form and list them in order of preference – just putting one school on the form does not mean you will get a place there
- Check carefully whether the schools you are applying for have any extra admissions requirements, eg the Wandsworth Test or a supplementary information form
- Offers are made on the evening of National Offer Day, 3rd March 2025. You should accept or decline your offered place immediately. If your child is offered a place at a lower preference school, they will remain on the waiting list for the higher preference school(s).
Source: Ark Bolingbroke Academy
Limit the number
Consider how many admissions tests to put your child through. Be realistic and only apply for those schools where your candidate has a good chance of being offered a place; too many and your child’s wellbeing will suffer. Three is a good number whereas six is too many. Moreover, let your existing school and/or tutor advise on which schools to go for as they know your child – and their prospects – well. And there’s the rub as it is often parents who ignore this advice.
For years tutors have been criticised for hot-housing children into top-notch private schools and in their defence, the demand often comes from parents themselves, as well intentioned as they are. “It’s about educating parents,” explains Mary Lonsdale, founder of tutoring agency, Mentor Education. “Parents overwhelmingly bias tutors who say they’ve got children into certain schools rather than understanding if they have the tools to teach their child.”
She adds that a crucially important job of a good tutor is to advise parents on which schools their children will be suited to depending on their academic ability, interests and personality. “Sometimes, this means having tricky conversations with parents who are aiming too high.”
LOWERING THE STRESS OF ADMISSIONS
- Make a shortlist by attending senior school fairs or exhibitions, where you can speak to staff in person. Applying to too many schools will up the stress levels.
- Visit your top choices. Choosing a school for your child is a big decision and will often come down to gut feeling gauged during a school visit.
- Find the best fit. Be aware of your child’s strengths and find a school that fits them rather than trying to make your child fit a particular school.
- Do some entrance test preparation, but not too much. Your child will ideally feel confident going into their tests, so it is worth looking at past papers or familiarisation tests if available, but spending hours on revision can lead to anxiety.
- Use school admissions staff who are there to guide you through the process and are always available to help.
Source: Woldingham School
Steady, stress-free preparation
From early on, your prep or primary school will be preparing your child for any English and Maths papers that they might be asked to sit – at the 11+ entry point, tests on these two subjects should align with the national curriculum. Some schools also teach verbal and non-verbal reasoning in the early years.
The long summer break is an important time to maintain learning and consolidate skills. Pupils should complete summer homework set by teachers and listen to their teachers’ advice.
Having said that, it’s important to keep the balance; you don’t want them to burnout or lose motivation before the exam season has even begun, which is a very real risk. Let them develop their interests outside of the classroom too as the school will be interested to learn about hobbies.
Reading is generally a very good preparation and it’s worth noting that book worms are usually well placed in entrance assessments.
This is when a school’s broad and diverse enrichment programme comes into its own. Tracy Dohel, Principal at Ernest Bevin Academy, says: “While academic rigour and results are often at the forefront of parents’ minds when choosing a secondary school, the extra-curricular programme and enrichment opportunities offered by the school are just as important.
“Enrichment programmes not only enhance children’s learning through exposure to new experiences and opportunities, but they also contribute to the overall development of character, and help to develop important life skills such as confidence, self-discipline and leadership.”
These extra-curricular interests will land well in any admissions interview.
Moreover, think about your child’s wellbeing during this preparation time. Those who are tired and hungry won’t be as focused on further learning.
Comments Edward Rees, Head at Hornsby House School: “Our Year 6 cohorts continue to step up to the challenge of the 11+ process, achieving a balance of work, rest and play as they secure their places for Year 7 at some of London’s top independent schools.
“It is the culmination of seven years of nurture and excellent schooling in which the children are encouraged to take risks, try new ways of overcoming challenges, and learn how to educate themselves.”
HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR DAUGHTER IS READY FOR SENIOR SCHOOL
- Practise the journey to and from school in the holidays to make sure that they are confident about the route and transport arrangements
- Enjoy the ritual of sourcing a new pencil case, water bottle and school bag so that she feels fully equipped for the first day
- Talk through the timings of the school day so that your daughter knows the daily rhythm of her new school
- Find out about the typical school lunch menu and ensure that she has nut-free snacks with her to fuel her through her day
- Look on the school’s website to find out about all the co-curricular opportunities available and talk together about which activities she will join
Source: Streatham & Clapham High School GDST
What to know about interviews
Over-preparing your child for an interview will be obvious to any assessor. Instead, you want to provide them with the opportunities to discover what it is they do enjoy and encourage them in their development – this gives them confidence which then carries across in the interview.
Remember that interested pupils are interesting to schools. They are looking for a spirit of curiosity in both the school and the world around them. Schools want to discover how they think rather than simply what they know.
In the run up to the interview, try to keep them relaxed and chat through a few simple questions with a parent or older sibling. Perhaps, ‘Why would you like to come here?’ or ‘What are your favourite activities at school?’ or ‘Tell me about your favourite book or film’. Pick a topic to discuss from a newspaper or ask family members who they don’t see regularly to have a phone call or Zoom with them as a mock interview.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT 11+ AND BEYOND
Navigating the 11+ process can be challenging for both parents and children. A well- rounded approach to preparation can make a significant difference
- Integrate sports, hobbies and social activities alongside academics to ensure children remain confident and stress-free.
- Personalised support is key. Differentiated teaching in core subjects and specialist instruction in arts, languages and sciences can help meet each child’s unique needs. Regular communication with parents provides insights and guidance.
- Familiarity with various testing styles is crucial. Practise with past papers and resources like Atom Learning, along with mock tests and CAT assessments, building confidence and readiness.
- Beyond academics, nurturing essential skills such as public speaking and debating is important. Opportunities for lessons and club participation can enhance confidence in communication.
- Collaboration between schools and parents is vital to find the best senior school fit for each child, ensuring alignment with their strengths, interests and aspirations.
Source: Eaton Square Prep School
It may be that parents are concerned the interviewer will not grasp who your child really is, especially if they are nervous. But rest assured that personalities will and do shine through during interviews. And if you can put your child at ease from preparation stage through to interview, it shouldn’t be as stressful a process as so many of us fear. The main message is to let the school do their part with teaching, while you encourage reading and discussion at home so your child can relax and be his- or herself. As Oscar Wilde famously said, “Everyone else is already taken.”
PREPARING FORSENIOR SCHOOL
Getting ready for senior school isn’t just about passing the entrance exam. It’s a year or two’s journey that needs careful planning in terms of breaking down the knowledge, skills and personal capabilities that your child will need to successfully navigate this exciting transition.
Simply bashing through endless past papers are a sure-fire way to put your child off studying and results in a surface-level experience, with no conceptual understanding beneath this that they will need in their senior school studies. How can your child build up their academic ‘fitness’, such as attention span, vocabulary, reading comprehension and accuracy in problem-solving? What about the resilience to fail and pick themselves up?
Empathetic tutors add huge value when making a game-plan, as they know your child’s academic performance and can advise on what focused prep work would make the most impact.
Source: Commons Education