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THE
KENSINGTON DIARY
LONDON
For the family life that shapes you as much as them
EDUCATION & CAPABILITY
UK EDUCATION & PREPARATION
Understand the UK school pathways, make informed choices for your child and navigate selective school entry with greater clarity.
Where do I start?
Are grammar and private schools the same?
Which school pathway is right for my family?
Is my child at the level schools expect?
What preparation is needed?
Do we need a tutor? And if so, when?
What if my child is rejected?
How do I prepare without burnout?
How competitive is it really?
When should preparation begin?
How much does preparation cost?
Which schools should we be considering?
Does any of this sound familiar?
Many parents feel uncertain, overwhelmed or unsure where to begin. You're not alone.
The hardest part is often is knowing which decisions matter, when they matter, and what is right for your particular child.
Find Out Why so Many Families Struggle with Selective School Admissions
Hidden Map
Human Cost
True Cost
Hidden Map
1/3
Selective school entry isn’t difficult simply because the exams are competitive. Families are navigating different entry points, changing expectations, different assessment formats, different admissions criteria fragmented advice and often while investing considerable time and money without a clear understanding of what actually matters.
A Clearer Way Through UK School Choices and Entrance
01 — UNDERSTAND THE PATHWAYS
State, grammar or independent?
Prep, through-school or another route? Understand how the systems differ and where the key entry points sit.
02 — MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE
What suits your child and your family?
Understand the competition, commitment, cost and implications of each route before deciding where to invest your time and money.
THE UK SELECTIVE SCHOOL PATHWAY GUIDE
A free guide to help you see how grammar and private school pathways fit together. Understand the key entry points from 4+, 7+, 8+, 11+ to 13+, the different routes through the system and when important decisions typically arise.
See how decisions made at one stage can affect the options available later including when children move between state, grammar and private education, where the main points of selection occur, and which routes may give families another opportunity for entry.
03 — NAVIGATE SELECTIVE ENTRY
Understand what different schools are looking for, when decisions need to be made and how readiness develops so you can choose schools and an approach to preparation with far greater clarity.
THE INTENTIONAL PARENT™
A comprehensive guide to grammar and private school admissions from 4+ to 13+, helping you understand what to expect, when and how to prepare, and how to make informed decisions for your child without unnecessary pressure.
If the Pathway Guide helps you understand the landscape, The Intentional Parent™ takes you deeper, into how selective admissions actually work, what schools are looking for, the decisions and timings that matter, and how to support your child through the process without unnecessary pressure.
WANT THE INTENTIONAL PARENT™ & FURTHER HELP CHOOSING A SCHOOL?
Choose the Extended Edition if you want everything covered in The Intentional Parent™ Essential Edition, together with additional school-selection resources, including our vetted school lists for London, and the extended region including Cambridge and Oxford.
You do not need both editions.
The Essential Edition is designed for parents who want the complete admissions guidance; the Extended Edition is for those who this alongside also want more help researching and shortlisting schools.
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RAISING CAPABLE CHILDREN: THE FORMATIVE YEARS
Education is only part of how we prepare children for the future. Beyond academic achievement, children also need opportunities to develop judgement, independence, adaptability, confidence and the ability to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Our Raising Capable Children work explores how everyday experiences, at home, through school, sport, travel and family life can give children opportunities to participate, make decisions, take responsibility, recover when things go wrong and gradually learn to navigate more for themselves.
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