11 Plus Exams Forum

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?

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

We're in Islington.

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?.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.