Choosing when a child should move from a prep school to senior school can be quite a conundrum for families of independent-school children. In London the debate is familiar: take the conventional route at 11+ (Year 7) or stay in prep for 13+ (Year 9). Plainly stated: 11+ remains the most common entry point into senior schools country wide with over 100,000 admissions tests held each year, but there are strong, practical reasons; especially for boys aiming at the top London day schools, to favour 13+, and many London prep schools explicitly build towards that later transfer.

Finding the right senior school with the right exit point from Arnold House can feel daunting, especially for parents who are new to the prep school world. Stories from families who have already “run the gauntlet” of senior school applications can understandably cause concern for those yet to begin the process. We recognise that this uncertainty can add stress, which is why clear communication and timely guidance are so important. It’s worth remembering that, just like online reviews, the many families whose journeys went relatively smoothly, rightly keep their success to themselves. We like to think that most of our parents fall into the latter category, though we also recognise that not every family will secure their first-choice school by the end of Year 6. When this happens, there can be many different reasons; which is why open communication between home and school is key. It’s also one of the reasons we place such value on having Years 7 and 8 at Arnold House. These years give boys more time to grow, mature, and develop the confidence they need to thrive when they move on.

Our Transfer Points

At Arnold House, our recognised exit points are 11+ and 13+ only. While some families may choose to move at other times for personal reasons, our academic and pastoral preparation is designed around these two stages across a wide range of destination schools. Our parent briefings (beginning from Year 3 onwards) are designed to explain the process, share up-to-date information, and dispel some of the myths that often circulate. As a standalone boys’ prep school, our preference is for boys to move on when they are confident, capable, and ready – traditionally, this has meant leaving at 13+. In recent years, however, many London day schools have shifted towards an 11+ entry process. While this may work well for the senior schools, it is not always ideal for boys who benefit from an additional two years in a familiar, nurturing environment.

An article by The Independent Education Consultants captures this well:

“On a day-to-day basis, we talk to many senior schools about this process. In my experience, rarely do the senior schools, which put the interests of children before their own recruitment objectives, encourage a child to leave their prep school at age 11, even if they have an intake of children at both 11+ and 13+. Unless there are sensible reasons for a move at age 11, most senior schools recognise the importance of Years 7 and 8 in a prep school.”

The Independent Education Consultants: Moving at Age 11 or 13 – The Debate

Fortunately, many senior schools that were once strict about 11+ entry have started to reopen 13+ pathways, realising that this can lead to a better fit for both the pupil and the school. Experience has shown that it often takes boys a little longer to reach the same level of academic and emotional readiness as girls, and that the additional time in prep school helps enormously. By 13+, schools are also able to make more informed decisions; assessing whether a boy is likely to become a proactive, engaged, and well-rounded member of their community. His interests, achievements, and contributions at prep school provide valuable evidence that he is well suited to the academic and extra-curricular life of his next school.

We have recently celebrated some excellent results for our Year 8 boys who applied to top London day schools later in the process. This is not unusual at Arnold House; each year we have a group of boys who make later applications or take a “second bite at the cherry” further down the line. Their success rate is strong, as these boys have had the advantage of additional time to develop and refine the key skills we emphasise in their final two years here. Part of this success also comes from the positive relationships and open lines of communication we maintain with all the senior schools our boys move on to. Increasingly, our staff are visiting these schools to nurture familiar connections, participate in curriculum discussions, and ensure
smooth transitions. It is all part of a carefully coordinated process that operates quietly in the background, allowing our boys to be thoroughly prepared, confident, and presented in the most positive light possible.

Arnold House boys are always noticed and held in high regard at many senior schools due to the consistent high calibre of polite, enthusiastic and well rounded young men we send their way. Whether it’s 11+ or 13+ we have the bases covered; however, we are hopeful that 11+ senior schools think more about the boys than recruitment and be open to having a robust and dedicated 13+ entry point. It’s a win-win for all!

Dayne Matthews
Director of Senior School Transfer