The first Dukes Club in-person event was a resounding success. Dukes Club members gathered at Eaton Square Senior School in Piccadilly to hear from three of the most experienced educationalists in London on how to survive the 11+.
Sebastian Hepher, Principal of Eaton Square Senior School, David Goodhew, Head of Latymer Upper School and Professor Mark Bailey, former High Master of St Paul’s and MD at Dukes Education gave an informative, insightful and sometimes humorous look at the selection process for London’s most academically selective schools.
Sebastian Hepher began with some very reassuring news that in more than 30 years as a Head in London’s top preps, only once has he known of a child not achieving a place at the senior school of their choosing, and that was because the parents were in dispute with the current Head. His message was a clear one, that the reality of the 11+ process isn’t as terrifying as its reputation, and it can be navigated sensibly, thereby reducing the wear and tear on children and their families.
His top tip was to make the process a child-centred one. Too often, he reported seeing parents deciding on the school they liked – whether because it was fashionable or had excellent facilities – and then retro-fitting that to their child. He also said it is vital that parents don’t put their child up for too many schools and therefore more exams – his advice was that a child should sit no more than five 11+ papers. And he exhorted all parents to talk to the experts in the schools who know your child best. Listen to their advice on what school will suit your child to ensure their future happiness.
David Goodhew reiterated what Sebastian Hepher said about the 11+ process, saying the 11+ reputation wasn’t entirely deserved and that by March of any given year, the majority of pupils have the offer of a place at the school they want. He said parents should always remember what they no doubt felt when they first held their child in their arms, that they want them to be ‘happy, healthy and to thrive’. David said to keep this thought uppermost through the whole process. Like Sebastian Hepher, he said it was of utmost importance that parents visit the schools they are interested in. “Schools all say and promise the same thing, but they feel different and that is because if your gut instinct,” he said.
David made the very interesting point about how important the peer group will be to your child as they go through adolescence. “Who your child is at school with is far more important than who teaches them or the Head,” he said.
David spoke about the need to keep your child healthy through the process, telling parents not to let their child give up sport because of the 11+. And he said that children are highly attuned to their parents own mental state so it was vital that parents looked after themselves, too.
Mark Bailey gave parents a wide overview of the various types of schools on offer, from single-sex to co-ed, full boarding to flexi-boarding. He said the culture of an individual school will have a greater effect on your child than all the other factors that might be considered. He recommended that parents quiz the school on their ethos, be sure it is communicated clearly and “do they do what it says on the tin”. And like David and Sebastian before him, Mark said very plainly, “It’s your child’s needs, not your aspirations that matter.”
There was then a Q&A session with questions ranging from how schools weight applications, to whether dyslexia will prevent a child from going to an academically selective school – a resounding no from David Goodhew who praised the neurodiversity of his school.
Every parent said they found the event both highly informative and reassuring and said they would welcome many more events like this one from the Dukes Club.