Hurry  Hurry  Hurry!

30 JUNE 2017 DEADLINES FOR ENTRY TO TOP SCHOOLS – ONE WEEK TO GO!!!

Is your child aged 9 or 10?

Are you considering sending your child to a top British boarding school for age 11+ entry in 2018 or age 13+ entry in 2020?

2017 deadlines for registering your child for 11+ and 13+ entry to a top UK boarding school are fast approaching. Don’t be one of the many parents who kick themselves for missing important dates in the school admissions process only to find that the lists are closed.

The following schools have JUNE 2017 deadlines to register your child for entry at age 13 in 2020:

Westminster School

Wellington College  

Tonbridge School

Winchester College

Eton College

Harrow School

For girls, many of the most prestigious boarding schools, such as Downe House and Wycombe Abbey have imminent deadlines for age 11 entry in 2018.

If you are aiming to get your child into one of the UK’s leading independent schools over the next few years you need to start the process as soon as possible.  It is essential to plan ahead to make sure that your child has the best possible chance of gaining entry to the school of your choice.

Many parents of bright children think that their academic brilliance alone will earn them a place in a highly sought after and prestigious school. There is a widespread myth that family connections, money and status can bypass standard registration procedures but this is simply not true in the vast majority of cases.

Registration is only the first step in the process. Once your child’s name is ‘on the list’ he or she will be considered for entry in accordance with the school’s admissions procedures. Unfortunately these vary significantly from school to school, so it is vital to be aware of the next steps.

A simplified timeline for age 13 (Year 9) entry in 2020 might look like this*

  1. Register your child and pay the registration fee
  2. Child sits ‘pre tests’ during Year 6. Many schools are now using the ISEB Common Pre-test which children take at their current school in Autumn 2017 for 2020 entry
  3. Depending on the Pre-test results, your child may be invited to attend assessments and interviews at the school in the course of Year 6
  4. Conditional offers are made and your child’s place at the senior school is confirmed, subject to them achieving a minimum grade in the Common Entrance exam in Year 8 (in reality once a child is offered a place at a senior school in Year 6 it is very rare for them to fail in Year 8)

* Please note that this applies mainly to children educated in UK prep schools and applications from overseas may be managed differently. Contact the school or one of our consultants for details.

For 11+ entry the timescales are usually shorter, although some schools, such as Benenden, recommend registration up to three years ahead.

Entrance exams for Year 7 (11+) entry in September 2018 are held between September 2017 and February 2018. Again, each school has its own procedure so contact us or the school for details if you are unsure.

Of course registration is only the first step in the process of selecting a school for your child.

Other vital stages include:

  1. Do your research (before or after registration) -  find out as much as possible about the schools you want to apply to for your child. Look at websites, read prospectuses, talk to other parents and teachers, visit, get expert advice.

 

  1. Manage the process – keep a calendar of key dates to hand to make sure that you and your child are well prepared for important assessment days, exams and interviews.

 

  1. Preparation – make sure you know when and how your child will be tested. Get sample papers and engage a private tutor to address any areas of weakness. Consider having your child professionally assessed to identify what he or she needs to work on.

 

Education Advisers specialises in providing expert and impartial advice to parents on selecting and applying to UK private schools, both day and boarding. For a free consultation please call +44 1622 913970 or email info@educationadvisers.co.uk