The Year 4 Split: What Competitive Prep Schools Don’t Say Out Loud

By the end of Year 4, many children seem to hit a quiet but very real turning point in their prep school journey. It’s not marked by fanfare or assemblies—but by internal conversations, silent observations, and subtle regrouping.

Parents often sense something has shifted, but they can't quite put their finger on it. The truth? In many academically competitive prep schools, the latter part of Year 4 is when informal ‘streaming’ or ‘setting’ begins—and it can have a significant impact on your child’s confidence and future school trajectory.

💡 What’s Actually Happening in Year 4?

Whether or not your school officially announces it, here's what typically starts unfolding:

1. Subtle Ability Grouping Begins

Many top prep schools begin grouping children by ability during the final term of Year 4—usually in core subjects like maths and English.

Take King’s College Junior School in Wimbledon, for example. Although the school emphasizes holistic development, it’s well known that academic performance is tracked closely by Year 4 to assess suitability for fast-track 11+ and scholarship routes.

At Sussex House, a well-regarded boys’ prep in Chelsea, the focus on preparing boys for Common Entrance and scholarships begins intensifying around this stage, with increased differentiation in subject expectations.

Even in co-ed settings like Thomas’s Battersea, teachers begin placing children in sets for key subjects by the summer term of Year 4, aligning with ambitions for schools such as Eton, Westminster, and Wycombe Abbey.

2. Internal Tracking for Exit Routes

Schools often start considering whether a child is better suited for:

• 11+ entry to London day schools (e.g. City of London, JAGS, Latymer Upper),

• 13+ entry with pre-testing (e.g. Harrow, Eton, St Paul’s),

• or alternative routes to less competitive senior schools.

By Year 5, the path is already being nudged into place.

At Wetherby Prep, for instance, teachers will already have ideas about who might thrive in an academically intense setting like Westminster, versus who might be better suited for a school like Radley or Pangbourne.

📉 The Confidence Gap

This kind of silent separation creates a psychological shift, especially for the children placed in “middle” or “lower” groups. Even if it’s not explicitly said, children notice where they stand. They compare spelling test results, homework feedback, reading levels, and who’s getting pulled aside for ‘extra extension work’.

Some parents report their child suddenly saying:

“I’m not one of the smart ones.”

This can be heartbreaking—and misleading.

Children develop at different rates. What’s seen as ‘middle group’ in Year 4 could be top set by Year 6. But when early decisions are made behind closed doors, it can be hard for families to keep perspective.

🔄 Still in Year 4? You Can Turn the Table Around

If your child is currently in Year 4, the story isn't written yet—not even close.

The summer term of Year 4 is a powerful opportunity to shift momentum. Many prep schools use this final term as a kind of informal assessment period: observing work ethic, attitude, and response to challenge in preparation for more formal grouping in Year 5.

This means your child can:

• Show rapid progress in writing, maths fluency, or comprehension.

• Begin reading more deeply and writing more thoughtfully.

• Build confidence by asking questions, participating, and showing enthusiasm in class.

• Demonstrate the kind of learner mindset schools want to promote to higher groups.

  
  

For example, one family we worked with had a son at Dulwich Prep London who had been in the middle group for most of Year 4. After a few focused months of building vocabulary, tackling challenging comprehension texts, and engaging with current affairs, he started to stand out. By Year 5, he was being considered for pre-tests to St Paul’s and Westminster.

The same happened with a girl at Newton Prep, who moved from a support set in English to the extension group by showing consistent effort and progress, supported at home with regular reading and storytelling practice.

The takeaway? If you make this final term count, it can send a very different signal to the school—and open up new doors before formal 11+ preparation begins in earnest.

💬 What You Might Hear Instead

Schools rarely say, “Your child is now in the lower class.” Instead, you might hear phrases like:

• “We’re keeping things flexible.”

• “They’re working at their own pace.”

• “We’re supporting them in the fundamentals.”

These aren’t red flags—but they are indicators that your child is being monitored in a certain direction. It’s important not to panic, but to stay curious and engaged.

👣 What You Can Do As a Parent

1. Stay Calm and Ask Questions

Don’t jump to conclusions. Instead, ask:

“How are the groupings determined?”

“What does this mean for my child’s senior school options?”

“How often are groups reassessed?”

2. Focus on Effort, Not Group Labels

Help your child see their value beyond academic placement. Praise their resilience, curiosity, and improvement—not just results.

3. Partner With the School Strategically

Let the school know your long-term hopes—whether it’s aiming for 13+ schools or prioritising a well-balanced education. Be open to feedback but make sure you're part of the planning conversation.

4. Look Beyond the “Top Set” Narrative

Some children thrive in slightly slower-paced groups and leap forward later. Not everyone needs to peak in Year 4 to succeed.

The Year 4 split is rarely talked about openly—but it shapes a lot. The key is not to fear it, but to understand it.

This stage can be the beginning of a powerful journey if handled with confidence and awareness. Your child isn’t being “labelled for life”—they’re simply entering a phase where observation matters more, and direction becomes a little clearer.

And the good news? With the right support from both home and school, that direction can still change—for the better.

📞 Need Help Navigating This Stage?

If you're unsure how your child's current academic group might affect their next steps—or you just want a second opinion on school placement, confidence-building, or preparation strategies—we’re here to help.

👉 Contact us today for tailored advice and support on navigating your child’s academic path with clarity and confidence.