State grammar schools compared with independent schools

Yes- sorry. I only know about the girl's one.

I'm still genuinely curious about your intention in starting this thread. It does look as if you were only intending to have a go at state schools, which would be silly, so I'm sure that's not what you wanted. What did you want?

Ah, there are two! Sorry.

Still happy to answer questions about state schools.

I thought More House was a girl's school. Must go and google!

No questions about state schools?

I would agree Narked if OP is dead against a state comp no matter how good.

To be fair i'd have to say there isn't that much of a mix at grammar schools either.Usually the children from working class backgrounds , very quickly become 'middle class' or the ones who are more, shall we say 'rough round the edges' leave or are asked to leave.

FWIW I would always choose a state grammar over a private school if we had them around here. To get an academically selective senior school here you have to pay for it. Class sizes at private academically selective schools are often the same as state grammars. I'd much prefer the mix of DC at a state grammar.

There are independent schools that are effectively non selective (and have smaller class sizes and a greater emphasis on all round education (big on sports and arts.) One of those sounds like it might be a good fit for what you want for your DS.

Skippy, by your own admission, your DS probably wouldnt get into GS. The thing is that the same will apply for selective independant as well. You cant simply rock up to a selective school, say 'here's a big fat cheque, now let my DS in'.

Your DS is good at some things, not good at others. Surely you would be better off looking at the atmosphere of the school rather than setting your DS up to fail by flogging him though entrance exams?

You are describing your DS as still being a little boy. He wont be in a couple of years. You are looking for the school which will see him through to being 16 or 18. By this point he will probably have seemingly doubled in height while at the same time his voice will have dropped through the floor (I have a 14 year old so have seen this happen).

Have you actually looked at your local state comps? This is the term of open evenings and day time visits. You may already be in the catchment for an excellent state comp or two!

No one is offended. On any subject, no-one minds questions - but generalisations that refer to the schools and children of many of the people you are asking might just provoke a challenge.

Re grammar v private, clearly this is an irrelevant debate as you have already decided private is 'better' and state schools are full of rough bullies.

More pertinently,it's irrelevant as the decision has been made for you as it is now too late to apply for grammar schools as you have missed dates to apply for exams/misssed exams as these are all in Sept this year,due to a rule change across England. It used to be that some were in Nov or even later, but now results must be known before applications are made at the end of Oct.

So your dc would not get into any grammars.

So pointless thread, really, except to get your fears about 'rough' state school children out of your system.

In terms of independence, year 6 is the start of a turning point, I would say. My dcs are state educated but prior to year 6, neither they or their friends at state primary went out on their own. Once they get into year 6, that is typically the age that parents start letting them have a little more independence - go to local park/shops/friends on their own (with mobiles so they can contact you and you them). This is to work up towards secondary when most would be expected to do at least some of the journey to/from school independently.

My dd had some friends whose parents absolutely would not let them off the leash at primary, drove them everywhere etc, and planned to do this at secondary too, but in practice,once they started secondary, found that acertain degree of independence was the norm and that a lot of time/money could be saved by letting their dcs have a bit of freedom.

So whilst at the start of year 6 your dc may seem totally unstreetwise and unprepared for independence, you'd be amazed at how much they can grow up ovr year 6/start of year 7.

I think the OPs questions were answered but perhaps she didn't like what was said. OP talk to your head friends neighbours mums you meet about local schools both state and independent you can read the GSG, ofstead reports, (neither in my view worth the paper theyre writen on), Tatler or post on MN but the best thing you can do is decide what a school must have; mixed close to home a particular sport/extra currucular activity etc go and look at a broad selection listen to whats said talk to teachers and pupils ask questions that matter to you and then do what we all do choose one hope you get a place and then cross your fingers that you made the right decision.

So what would you like to know? Plenty of us use it and would be happy to answer your questions. Ask away!

More money that sense
' bored of the current school scene '
Like many of us have a choice

Is it me or is there something fishy about this thread. The OP has had quite a few helpful suggestions both re state and independent schools but seems to be ignoring everything and writing comment which Im not sure make sense!
Seeker you're right was is the point of his apart from to start the never ending state versus indie debate. Though this time it didn't work.

But you haven't said what you want to know!

"Don't think state is a realistic option as for us the fees would be much easier than jumping through the state selection hoops (right postcode, right church, etc.)"

Then what exactly was the purpose of the thread? Tourism?

Bintang, this is where it is worth looking at and talking to schools. Large schools can be large in the number of pupils but may have plenty of experience in assisting students to negotiate the school. Many schools arent a single massive alienating building.

Large school doesnt automatically mean large classes. My DD has just moved to a state high school with around 1900 students, 700 in the 6th form but the A level French class is around half a dozen.

If you were considering a move north of London OP then I would highly recommend this school - 'outstanding' in all categories with the only improvement being to show other schools how to be outstanding (I might be paraphrasing a little!).

Though Jenai, Gnome, if he has an ASD, he may find a large school simply too much.