EDUCATION


that the child will be asked to come into that school for an assessment. Being on a list is no guarantee of a place. Te earlier the child’s name is on a school list the bet- ter. Tere are many legendary stories here, but my experience is that a child’s name will be on more than one list within a month or so of the child being born. A highly sought after prep school will close off its list a number of years before the rel- evant entry year. Tis is a highly frustrating situation for


those who arrive in the United Kingdom with older children or who may be un- aware of this process. Te best option is to make the dreaded phone call to the school registrar and follow it up with a very per- suasive letter. Lists may be closed, however experience has shown there is usually some flexibility.


Transferring to secondary school


Getting a child into a prep school is a real challenge, but just as daunting is securing a place for your child at a secondary school (the processes are called 11+ for girls and Common Entrance for boys). For boys, parents need to put their son’s


name down at each of the chosen second- ary schools when they’re in Year 5 (aged 10). From thereon, schools will invite the boys to sit tests and attend interviews. Te most sought after schools will offer places in Year 6 to boys to start in Year 9; other schools delay the process until the begin- ning of Year 8. All places offered are condi- tional on them passing or attaining the standard required by the admitting school in the exam (known as Common Entrance). For girls, the process is more condensed.


In most cases, the process can be com- pleted within a three-month period with offers made in the February of their Year 6. As with boys, girls are registered by November of Year 6 at their chosen school and are then invited to sit the entrance exam, usually in Maths, English and Reasoning. If a student meets the school’s required standard, they will be invited for an interview. Tereafter the school, if in- terested in the student, will offer a place at the school to commence in Year 7. Both boys and girls generally apply for


more than one school, so schools will over offer places and gamble on the number of accepting students. Due to the condensed


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mornings, drinks parties, collecting money for teachers thank you presents from the parents in your child’s class. Tey attend class rep meetings with other reps and feedback comments to the teachers on be- half of parents regarding class and school matters. Tis role is a great way of really getting to know the school, teachers and other parents in a short space of time.


Fund raising: Most schools fund raise in some shape or form. Tis can be a tradi- tional school fair (face painting, apple bob- bing, football shootouts or pretty much anything that children will pay a small fee to participate in), quiz nights or charitable balls involving an auction of prizes gener- ally donated by local businesses or parents.


Parent’s Association:Te Parent’s Association is a group run by parents, usu- ally including parents with children from a range of years. Te Parents Association li- aise with the school management and raise funds for the school too. Tis is another great way to be involved in school matters as well as meeting other parents.


Don’t let your guard down


Once you have navigated pre-prep and prep and your child has successfully been accepted into a secondary school, it is easy to be lulled into believing that that is the end of the dreaded school applications and assessments. Sadly, this may not be the case. Many secondary schools, but not all, have a minimum grade requirement that must be achieved at GCSE in order to progress into the Sixth Form (Years 12 & 13). So, gaining entry at 11+ or 13+ may not guarantee a place through the end of secondary school. Tis fact isn’t publicised widely but certainly a question worth ask- ing when looking at secondary schools is: “does the school assess out at any stage?”


Getting your child through the private


nature of the girls system this happens on a greater scale than boys.


Parents’ involvement in school life


Once your child is in the school system there are opportunities for parents to become involved in the day-to-day school life.


Class Rep: Class reps organise coffee


school system in the United Kingdom is a journey with many highs and lows. Getting your child into the right school is not easy. Places for schools, especially in London, are highly sought after and the process is competitive. But once your child is in, you can sit back and relax (but only for a bit), just until GCSEs and A-Levels begin. Ten there is the university applica- tion process! But that is another story.


Anna Currie, who moved from New Zealand to London 13 years ago, endeavours to mix the best of Kiwi and British traditions for her three children. Outside of parenting, her passion for food, interiors and travel have seen her discover many treasures in this part of the world. She can be reached at annacurrie@me.com


www.focus-info.org FOCUS The Magazine 19


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