For many parents, sending their children to a private school for the whole of their education is simply unaffordable. With private school fees more expensive than ever, many parents are looking for a mixed economy in which they send their children to a state school for part of their education and a private school for the other parts. Nevertheless, the question remains: when is the best time to move a child from state to private, or vice versa? There are many factors to consider and four main entry points for UK private schools. These are the 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+ entries.

The 7+ Entry Point to UK Private Schools 

Many parents feel happy sending their child to state primary schools, and see independent prep schools as more of a luxury, particularly if their child has no problem with reading, writing and arithmetic. On the other side of the spectrum, children with learning needs and an EHCP (Educational, Health and Social Care Plan) also get one-to-one support for free, which is a big incentive to remain at a state primary school.However, some children may feel overlooked in large classes of mixed abilities or may want more of a challenge. Some parents may also be attracted to the facilities and extracurricular activities offered at private schools, or want to nurture and foster a particular talent that their child might show, for example in music or drama.Some research suggests that it is best to invest in your child’s education in the early years where their experiences are more formative, and making a move to a private school in Year 3 can ensure your child masters key skills that they will need going forward. Some children will inevitably benefit from the smaller class sizes and make faster progress than at a state school. The added benefit is that the 7+ exams tend to be less competitive than later age groups, so children are more likely to get in. A lot will depend on the quality of the provision at primary school, and how happy parents are with the teaching and learning. If money is a consideration, it may well be worth waiting for the 11+, as it is still a hefty financial commitment to move your child at 7.

Sending Your Child to UK Private Schools at the 11+ Entry 

In many respects, 11+ entry makes the most sense as primary schools naturally end with the Year 6 transition to secondary school. However, it is important to remember that not all private secondary schools actually offer 11+ entry: many schools (for example, Winchester College, Eton College and Marlborough College) start in Year 9, and therefore you will have to find somewhere else for your child to go for Years 7 and 8. If you move your child in Year 3, they can stay at that prep school until they move at 13+, which means they do not have to move twice in three years.The good news is that more and more schools offer 11+ entry to make themselves more accessible for primary state school applicants. Academic powerhouses like City of London School for Boys and Hampton School start from Year 7 (City actually has a Year 6 intake). Many other schools such as Rugby School and St Paul’s Boys School have affiliated junior schools which pupils can attend first.It’s important to do your research, as opportunities can vary significantly from school to school. For example, Harrow School now provides bursaries to fund prep school education for the brightest boys aged 11-13 from particular London boroughs. Eton also offers 13+ scholarships to boys who have attended a state school in at least Years 6, 7 and 8. Moving twice may seem inconvenient, but it could actually benefit students in the long run.Learn more about the top 30 UK Independent Schools in 2021.

UK Private Schools and the 13+ Entry

13+ tends to be the most competitive entry point as many students are looking to transition from prep school to senior school. However, moving children in Year 9 still has three key benefits.Firstly, students will be privately educated for their GCSEs and A-levels, therefore having all the benefits of an independent education when the academic stakes are the highest.Secondly, whether a child is at a private prep school or a state secondary school, waiting until the 13+ gives them more time to mature before sitting rather stressful exams. Some pupils aren’t ready to handle the pressure of the 11+ in Years 5 and 6 and need more time to develop various skills.Thirdly, if a child is at a private prep school for Years 7 and 8, then they get to enjoy being a ‘big fish in a small pond.’ They are likely to be given more responsibilities, can run for offices like Prefect and Head Boy / Head Girl, and can generally enjoy being in a smaller, more nurturing environment for a little while longer. If they are moving to a private senior school from an affiliated junior school, they are likely to be moving with lots of their peers, and so friendship groups largely stay in tack. However, moving from a different prep school or state school for Years 7 and 8 could potentially be quite disruptive for the child socially. This is because they will only have been at a school for two years before meeting a whole new set of peers and teachers all over again. This will be more challenging for some students than others and will perhaps depend on the individual child’s confidence and resilience.Thinking about grammar school options? Read this: Grammar School vs Private School.

A-levels and UK Private Schools, the 16+ Entry Point

Finally, some parents may decide to move their child to private school for Sixth Form for lots of different reasons: academic challenge, better support when applying for universities, a different social environment (for example moving from single-sex education to co-educational), smaller class sizes, want to try a boarding school experience or push themselves in a particular area. There are many scholarships and bursaries on offer for talented Sixth Form pupils too: for example, Mill Hill School offers numerous scholarships to promising athletes.Interestingly, more and more pupils also transition from private to a state school for Sixth Form. There are many excellent, academically selective state sixth forms (for example, The London School of Excellence or Harris Academy Westminster) which provide high-quality teaching and university support (and a more diverse pupil body) without the hefty price tag. Many state schools offer a broader range of A-level subjects than private schools, and because rules about catchment areas become a lot more flexible with Sixth Form colleges, pupils have a lot more choice about where they could attend than they do in Year 6.Whether a student is moving from state to private or vice versa, many pupils moving after GCSE is an opportunity for a fresh start and a chance to revitalise interest in academic work. Again, parents will know their child best and tell whether a pupil will thrive with consistency or change.You might also like: Should You Send Your Child to an Independent School?

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About the authorKristina is an Oxford English graduate and qualified English teacher. She trained through the Teach First programme before working at one of the top independent schools in London. She is now a private tutor and freelance writer.