Grammar School

[samp75]

Hi All,
My DS is currently in 4th and studying in Croydon. But we are flexible to move to new area to get good secondary education for him. There are not many secondary schools in area we live. I was thinking on moving to Kent because of good education and many grammar schools there. But commute to London should be easy. He is average in studies. Sutton grammar school has fierce competition for places. Can you please suggest some areas.

[TeenAndTween]

If you can afford it move to Winchester, Hants and commute from there.
Fantastic schools, and no grammar angst to worry about.

From what I've read on here, I wouldn't be too sure that some Kent grammars are up to scratch anyway. And if you stick to a grammar area, what are the secondary moderns / comps like if your 'average' child doesn't pass 11+?

[LIZS]

I'm not sure other grammar exams are any less competitive tbh, especially Kent.

[ErrolTheDragon]

If he's average in studies, then he's unlikely to get into a GS, and it's unlikely to suit him. Sorry to be blunt but sounds like you're being unrealistic.

[Blu]

The Sutton Grammars are 'super selective' because they are not within a full grammar system and have no distance criteria - so thousands of people from all over London apply and it is those who get the top scores who get in.

tbh if you describe your DS as 'average' I would look for an area that has good comprehensives, so that he can be put in top sets in his strongest subjects and learn at a different pace in his weaker subjects. Good comprehensives can offer just as good teaching and eduction as grammars.

I presume the area has to be accessible for London, and with housing at prices the same or cheaper than Croydon? Any other criteria?

[shushpenfold]

Hi Samp. I know that the Kent GS's are most definitely not for the fainthearted and there is fierce competition there too. If he is average in studies I'm not sure why you're determined to look at grammar schools and this is from the point of view of an aunt to 2 boys currently in Kent GS. One is very able and has loved every second of his schooling; the second however was tutored to get in and has struggled constantly, eventually almost flunking out as he was so sick of always feeling like the 'stupid one'. There are loads of really good schools out there who will be able to work with all levels of ability.

[merlottime]

There are over 20 secondaries in Croydon, albeit quite a few are church schools. Whereabouts in the borough are you? Most families I know across the Croydon have several schools that they would get into based on distance in most years - have you visited all of your local options (before contemplating a move, given the expense)? Try looking up the 'data dashboard' for each school on the Ofsted website as that will give some information about how the school does vs similar schools.

[smokepole]

My DD was near the bottom of her non typical grammar 32% middle ability/68% high ability in year 7. I did not want her to take the 11+ for two reasons, I thought she would fail and I would have preferred a good comprehensive but we live in Kent . She insisted on taking the 11+ and squeezed in . DD was struggling with the work very badly , it was suggested by the school that DD might be better at another non selective school. I agreed with the school and put it to DD ,who told me she was not leaving the school no way . She is now near the top of year 10 and is on target for mostly A grades in her Gcse's.

I have to say she has worked very hard and proved a point to me that she was capable ,despite initially struggling with the pace. I think you have to ask your DS does he want the pressure and expectation thrust on at such an early stage, also are there any good comprehensive schools nearby. I am a survivor of a "Kent Secondary School " from the late 80s early 90s, so I know how bad it can be to fail.

[Xihha]

Kent grammars are ridiculously competitive and the non selective schools are very hit and miss so I wouldn't recommend any of Kent for an average student.

[smokepole]

Xihha. I posted about this in another thread, but the post was "Shifted" in to the local Kent site. For the record DD is no 2 ,DD no 1 is on course for 3Bs at A2 from a poorly regarded Kent secondary so has achieved despite the schools reputation.

[Xihha]

I went to a poorly regarded Kent school too, having got kicked out the grammar, it's strange how the reputations don't seem to reflect the reality, I've done bits through my old job in a lot of kent secondary schools and its actually some of the ones with better reputations I'd avoid.

I didn't mean all the non selective schools are bad, some are brilliant, it's just some of the bad ones are truly terrible and not necessarily the ones that have the bad reputations, which is why I said they are hit and miss.

[smokepole]

Xihha. I went to a very "Ropey" secondary in the Dover area 1985-1990. I would like to know how many C grades were achieved in my time. I got Zero! I don't know anyone from there who did, anyway that school is now an Academy and improving, its offering the pupils an education far superior to anything I received and is giving good outcomes for its students.

[MillyMollyMama]

I cannot see how an average child would thrive in any grammar school. It is just not a good plan to move for grammars if you are not grammar material. In Bucks we have grammars but very patchy secondary moderns. Some of these would not be worth moving for!

[smokepole]

oh my patchy "Grammar" excuse the pun!. Is getting good outcomes for its students.

[Xihha]

Haha, nothing wrong with the odd pun.

Good to see some academies do work then, others seem to just change the looks rather than the important things. [Sad]
I left my dodgy school in t.wells in 2004, they've apparently improved a lot having changed names but the atmosphere seems the same to me and my friends kids are having the same issues there as we did.

[sunsout]

My dh was a very average child managed to get in a gs really only god knows how he did it! He was in bottom for years. Oh dear! Then again some how he obtained some As and Bs at A-levels. And some how he went to King's College of London....!!?? So he did ok.

The problem is that some children mature late by either life experience or natural development. However I would not move into a pure gs area. It is too stressful.

My dc's friend has always been in top set everything all her life during primary school everyone thought she was the would gs girl. However she did not do the 11+ well enough to even put onto the waiting list or to consider an appeal. So her parents and grandparents put moneys together to send her to a near by private schools instead. They are sort of typical family middle class by education but not anywhere in the rich category. We have many families like in our area.