To prepare or not to prepare?

The when to start dilemma? 

So you have your heart set on 2 or 3 elite schools. The creme de la creme when it comes to schools. The best of the best. Schools like Westminster, Habs, South Hampstead and NLCS to name a few popular schools that we are currently preparing many of our students for right this very moment. Daily parents ask us this same question:

When should we start preparing for their assessment? 

You can start when you like. However, I have very precise timing that I recommend to all of out clients and that I suggest to parents who call us to ask us for our advice. 

3+ 

One year before 

4+ 

One year before (slightly more if your child is summer born) 

7+ 

Two years before (To be precise, the autumn term of your child’s Reception Year). 

Occasional places 

As soon as you know that you are even just considering applying for an occasional place and definitely not when you’ve applied for an occasional place or even worse - once you have the date of said assessment. 

11+ 

3-4 years before (or longer if preparing for schools like St. Paul’s) 

These are my personal opinions and you will most certainly have your own. However, my opinions are based on facts and not feelings. Yours are most likely based on feelings. ANd making decisions based on feelings is usually not the best idea!

When children have the length of times given above to work with exceptional teachers like us, success is inevitable. 

You’re never ‘too early’ to start. 

You most certainly will be ‘too late’ if you start too late. 

If you’re truly serious about supporting your child to get a place at your dream schools, take the process seriously. Otherwise there really is no point.

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