3 options if your child was unsuccessful to your target schools at 4+
/I am speaking to hundreds of parents whose child was unsuccessful to their target schools (2026 entry).
My heart goes out to them. I feel their pain every time I speak to them. And if this is you, I am sorry.
Perhaps you went all in and did everything in your power to support your child to be successful or perhaps you didn’t know how difficult these 4+ Assessments would be. If you find yourself in a situation where your child is going to a school which was not your top choice, please do not worry. You have options.
The most important thing is that you act fast and you don’t allow thoughts like ‘I have plenty of time until the 7+ Assessments to sabotage your chances for success.’ If your child is unsuccessful in their 7+, you will then need to wait until the 11+. The 7+ needs 2 years of Assessment preparation. The 11+ needs 3-4 years of Assessment preparation. Obviously, I think that tuition is an amazing investment for all of our children but the most important factor to me if that your child goes to the best school for them. That your child receives the highest quality and standard and education for them.
And if you are paying thousands of pounds each month to send your child to a private school, you might as well send them to the best school.
Here are your options:
Apply for the 7+ Assessments.
Keep in mind that there are far fewer places available at 7+ so your child will need thorough prep (and know their prep- school alone will not prepare them to pass their 7+Assessments)
Apply for occasional places - We are incredibly successful at preparing students to pass their occasional place Assessment at top inner and outer London schools. One of our students recently passed her Guildford High occasional place Assessment (year 2 entry). One of our other students passed his Dulwich College occasional place Assessment (Year 1 entry) in December. It is up to you to be proactive here and contact your target schools directly to ask them if they have occasional places and if they do to add your child to the list.
Apply for the 11+Assessments.
Many parents I speak to have no idea how challenging it is to pass an assessment for the 7+. If your child is unsuccessful, you can start preparing them for their 11+. There are far more places available (40 compared to 8 in some cases) and you have a lovely, long time to prepare them.
We are experts at preparing children for their Assessments and we would love to support you to have incredible success. Book your Sample Week today.
