11 Plus Exams Forum

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Hi Bleu,

Whilst Colfe's is a good school and i know a few people there that are happy; I do not think it is a particularly selective school. I know a couple of kids that went to colfes and did not get through both the Kent and Bexley tests.

Thier results at GSCE and A levels from thier own site is also not reflective of an extremely academic school. They obviously have lots of grounds and facilities and as i said the families i know that have kids there are very happy there.

I do not think you have to worry too much if your dc is doing ok at the moment. You do not need intensive support like the Kent or Bexley tests to get a place at Colfes. Good luck.

I don't know the school at all but maybe you could contact them and have a chat with the admissions people. Is there an open day coming up? if so you wil probably get a good idea of the academic standards. Do you know anyone else at the school? If so have a chat with them and ask about abilities of others. I'm sure this will put your mind at rest adn you can both enjoy his next couple of years at primary.

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Why is Colfe's your only option? (I live locally.) What about St Dunstan's? I know that they claim to be selective but I was recently looking at thier results and they are very similar to those of my daughter's (supposedly) comprehensive but very high performing state school (its not local). That makes me think that they probably more reflect good teaching of children from households that value learning rather than any very selective intake.

Since you have a son have you considered Eltham College? I'm not sure either how selective it is or what the results are but it doesn't come to mind as one of the local independents that have a reputation of being fiercely academic like say Alleyns or other Dulwich schools (admittedly somewhat less local but certainly drawing local children.)

Hello and welcome to the forum. My ds has recently been through this process and is due to start at Eltham in September. As for Colfes, I know someone with a ds there and they speak highly of the school. I understand their results on the league table do not reflect the true position and this is because the students take the IGCSE. I spoke to the Admission Officer and was told that they expect kids to be working towards a level 5, I do know that it is not a super selective school and your ds has a good chance of getting in as most schools consider interview, exams, reports etc. I did not apply to Colfes as I was not too sure of their exam results and also due to distance. My ds applied to a number of schools. I had the same worry as you as he is sometimes scatty and he is currently at a state school, but he breezed the exams and his presentation at the interview was outstanding and we settled for Eltham College as they have outstanding results, facilities, etc. Definitely worth considering Eltham College as it is a short bus ride from you. St Dunstans is also a good one to apply to. For revision, I would recommend the CGP books. The practice questions are good for practice but you only need to practice from year 5 onwards I would have thought. Good Luck

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Massive thumbs up to Eltham College so far. My boy starts in Sept and the school has really come across well!

Think you should try and get in, as all the indis are slightly different when it comes to selection...