Would you move your Y9 dc to a Grammar school from a good Comp

[Priv]

Hello Mums, we just recently moved to Mk from US, my ds (y9) has been in the local comp for 4 mths after an initial shock and settling in, he has made some friends, he’s above average academic. He is in top set for Math and hopefully move to top set for English. He has been offered a place at a grammar 20miles away. He does not want to go, he does not want to try and make new friends again. I am also concerned that at the grammar he would be academically behind the other kids and there would be a lot of catching up. Would it be wise to move him?

[penguinsandpanda]

If he's happy I would leave him put at the comp - he's had a lot of change already.

[DemoKritic]

No I wouldn't. He seems to be settling in well where he is, he's made friends and its seems like a decent comp. Its GCSE preparation from now onwards. no more upheaval.

[vipers]

Depends which Milton Keynes comp and which Aylesbury grammar. If you were comparing a bucks upper school vs grammar then I'd usually recommend moving but as you have a comprehensive and your child is happy then maybe not. Happy to discuss specifics via pm if helpful.

[TeenTimesTwo]

I would also check whether GCSE courses have already been started at the Grammar.

[penguinsandpanda]

My daughter is in a grammar and they start GCSE courses in y9 as do our local comp - they don't teach things in the same order.

[Priv]

Hi, thanks for replying. Maybe I got the terms wrong between comp and upper . He is at Shenely Brook end and has been offered a place at Sir Henry Floyd Grammar. SBE have already started GCSE ( he missed a term) SHFG wil be starting in June.

[vipers]

Shenley is a comprehensive as it's in MK. SHF is excellent for most children especially the ones who like music and drama. It's a very good school and will offer more if your child is naturally academic and likes to be stretched. If you'd said AGS I'd be added in some different caveats!

[penguinsandpanda]

Is it possible for your child and you to visit the other school if they haven't already.

[Priv]

Hi, yes we have visited, the tour was good , had a chat with Year head, who was very helpful and polite. My ds not not want to move again and he worries he will be too far behind academically. We wish we could test it out for a week and then make a decision, would make things eaiser

[penguinsandpanda]

My daughter is at a grammar and has struggled being average compared to being top before and sometimes the girls make fun of her. The children also come long distances and there's no socialising after school so harder to make friends than at primary. The homework is very heavy and they have a longer school day which combined with travel means there's time for little else in the week. Academically its great but she is not happy there - she's a very sociable, active child and it hasn't really suited her. It does vary with the child and school though - I hated my comp and would have preferred a grammar but I was quiet and just liked to study. Results wise grammars are normally better but I don't think the differential is that great.

[TammyWhyNot]

No. Because
-he had already experienced enough disruption

• it’s 20 miles away: easy socialising is really important to teens, especially ones who don’t already have a local friendship group
  
• There is no need: he is at a good school with his intellectual peers, there is nothing intrinsically magical about Grammars. They are schools with the middle and support sets selected out. Same curriculum, same pace of learning as top sets in s good comprehensive.
  
• He doesn’t want to.

[HPFA]

I wouldn't move any child of this age who doesn't want to move unless there were very compelling reasons. He is going to be incredibly resentful and that is hardly going to help him academically.

[DemoKritic]

Why not leave him at the good comp where he doing well and happy and consider the grammar for A'levels? he's only got 2 years left.

[BubblesBuddy]

I would look to going to The Royal Latin School in Buckingham for 6th form if he wants a change. However, Shenley gets good results with bright students so I would stay put.

Most parents of boys I know still prefer AGS to SHF. However, you must live closer to RLS.

[Battleax]

Twenty miles is a hell of a long way. Is he doesn’t want to. I’d leave if and review options for sixth form at the appropriate point.

[Battleax]

PLUS he doesn’t want....^

[sayatika]

No I would not move him because it sounds like he will do well wherever he is. I have friends who have moved their DC from comp to grammar and they say there is a lot less support at the grammar. Moving gets harder as they get older too so it is great he has made friends where he is and is happy.

[ggirl]

No , he's happy and has made friends ,so important at this age...daft to change that if the school is good.

[yikesanotherbooboo]

No , I wouldn't. Grammar schools are not 'better' schools. If he is motivated he will do well at any good school.
He has already had disruption and faced settling in once I would only do it again if he wanted to which he doesn't. I also agree about the social aspect and all the toing and growing involved when a child's school is that far away. I believe very strongly in mental well being and happiness being more important than a hatful of A grades.
Lots of options for sixth form.