How do I know if my DS is grammar school material??

[AllTheGoodOnesAreTaken]

Hi. Clueless mum here so please bear with me. DS is a summer-born, aged 6 and in Year 2 at the moment. I have just been informed by the school that regardless of his performance at SATS he's been awarded a grade of 3. I am new to the UK education system but I figure this is very good. DS is a fantastic super kind and sensitive boy, obviously very academic but not really an all rounder as he's not very good at sports (not yet anyway) and he's not naturally gregarious or artistic although he's beginning to show some musical aptitude. I have always felt he's very bright but nothing out of the ordinary. If he was in a Year 2 class where ALL the children had a grade 3, my guess is that he would probably be average within that context. Or would he? I mean right now he's in an average state school, not particularly academic, so I'm not surprised he's ahead academically. I feel that maybe in a private academic school he would be average or would he struggle?? That's what I can't figure out. We can't afford private but say he gets tutored to get into a grammar when he's 11 and then he finds himself out of his depth. How do you work these things out for your DC. I'm rambling big time. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Oh and by the way, before you ask me is he happy at school, the answer is so so. He struggles being with so many children at once, only has one friend, another quiet boy who's in the same wavelenght as him, doesn't play football so playtime is always a stuggle for him, and he finds it noisy. We are thinking of moving away so that we can change schools, we're just not sure how to approach the move, hence my question about grammars. Sorry, rambling again.

[lowprofile]

Personally I can't tell until the children are yr 4.
I am not a teacher, but just with my own kids, and friends kids.

During year 2 is the year the late starters begin to flourish, so those kids in rec yr1 that have always been so incredably brainy (advanced etc) just become average compared to the rest of the year group.

During year 3 the work load gets cranked up, so the one's who although bright, don't like to work, become more apparent at that age, and my experience of grammar is that due to the extra workload, the child has to enjoy academia otherwise it becomes a battle.

During year 4, things settle down, you have 2 years before applying for grammars that start in yr 7 and 3 for those in yr 8.

I think it's telling that the majority of private schools don't offer scholarships until year 4 (some do year 3 but unusual) I think it must be easier for the teachers to see potential as well.

[AllTheGoodOnesAreTaken]

Very helpful, thanks lowprofile. DS really loves studying, he's always asking for extra worksheets, loves brain games, number games and so on. It makes sense to wait until they're a little older to see if they slow down or actually continue to be very brainy. I just feel I need to make a decision now as we're going to move and I want to see what state grammas and secondaries are around us. Cheers.

[thenevernever]

your last post describes a grammar school kid to me. On the other hand ime academical and motivated children do well in any half decent school. Its the able but lazy, unmotivated ones that don't. I would try harder to get my dc that fall into the latter category into a really good school than I would my very motivated ones.
Hope that made sense? I guess I'm saying that from the way you are describing your DS, I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure you move to an area that has some decent schools but they don't have to be grammars