Back up schools for boys

[merksalina]

Hi everyone,
I'm applying to Westminster, St Pauls and City for my boy - does anyone have any advice about schools that are easier to get into? He passed the St. Paul's exam at 10+ but failed the interview, so I think he has a chance at the really academic schools but would like a safer option as well. Help?

[mad?]

Lots of the other indies are outside central London, whereabouts are you?

[merksalina]

We're in Islington.

[mad?]

Highgate and UCS are the ones that spring to mind but also, Bancroft, Forest, Northbridge House, Marylebone? Sorry not my part of London but those should be commutable?.

[merksalina]

Oh, thank you! I'd never even heard of some of those, must scurry off to research.

[nyr]

Highgate seems to be very popular right now. I know boys who gave up places at Habs and City for this co-ed.

[merksalina]

Is the consensus that Highgate is a bit less competitive than St Paul's? I do know someone whose daughter got in there who seemed to think that it was enormously difficult, but maybe she was just proud of her kid.

[nyr]

I get the impression that boys who don't get into QE (state grammar) still have a good chance at Highgate. I believe St Paul's would be tougher.

I think parents believe the Highgate exam is tough because the English comprehension seems to require more detailed responses than most other 11+ tests but it's something that the child can easily prepare for. I remember telling a mum about the structure of the paper in December. It was a surprise to her but the family and tutor worked hard and a place was secured.

[floreatetona]

Harrow? That has lots of boys that failed to get into the school they really wanted to go to..

[grgygirl]

I'm hearing that schools that were traditionally 'back up' options are now a lot tougher to get into, such is the London competition these days.