My son (Yr 5) and I have different ideas about what secondary school would be right for him: I assumed he would go to a local comprehensive but he wants to try for Latymer - about which I only know it is insanely competitive to get in.
He goes to a reasonable but uncompetitive Hackney state primary school but he has disliked school since year 2. He's up the top of his class for everything except handwriting which is mediocre/atrocious. Recently he's been going to a local secondary school for regular Maths & Science days (seems to be some remnant of the G&T scheme, though his primary would never call it that) which he loves, along with the extra "theoretical" maths his teacher gives him. He seems motivated by all the extra stuff though he just rolls his eyes at the day to day work.
He may be right, a competitive school may be just the ticket for him and I'm happy to support him.
My questions to you experienced MNers are
- Does any child get a place at Latymer without tutoring? We couldn't afford it but I can take him through practice papers (I've done verbal reasoning etc in my time).
- Would the culture of the school suit a lad from a low income Hackney family in social housing - would all the others go skiing at Christmas etc? I really have no idea what to expect.
- Can you get through the whole entrance malarkey without it being insanely stressful / spirit crushing. I feel that if it is the right school for him etc etc
Love to hear your experiences