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Original poster

Grammar school - tutor or not?

29 replies

KitZacJak · 26/09/2013 13:41

We looked around the local grammar school and my son really liked it. I think he could pass the 11+ but less than half that pass get in.

I was planning on just familiarising him with the papers so he knows what to expect. But part of me feels that by not tutoring I am not giving him the best possible chance especially as a lot of grammar pupils come from local prep schools that provide in school tutoring. On the other hand, I don't want him to feel under pressure.

What do other people think?

OP posts:
Kenlee · 26/09/2013 16:18

I agree with Black mogul ....

Ladymuck · 26/09/2013 16:05

"a lot of grammar pupils come from local prep schools that provide in school tutoring"

Which grammar school are you looking at? In my experience this is an assumption that is made but in reality the majority of grammar school pupils come from state primary schools.

BlackMogul · 26/09/2013 15:23

It is an odd concept to me that a pass to a grammar school is not a pass if only half get in. Where do the other half go? Why is the pass mark too low? Would the alternative choice of school be poor or is it a good alternative? I think tutoring can help for academic subjects, but is less successful for verbal and non verbal reasoning but can help with use of time during the exam. I think you know if your DC would be responsive to tutoring and probably everyone else will be doing it. You also need to make an honest judgement about whether he is suitable for your grammar school. Would he cope with a much faster pace of work or have to spend hours on homework because he is struggling? Is he currently in a school with lots of average children, or is he working with very bright children? I have known some people to greatly over-estimate how clever their child is. I am not accusingyou of this, by the way. Over coached children can have problems and loss of self-esteem. Some grammars are way more difficult to get into than others, eg a tiny percentage of children as opposed to 30% of all the children at all the schools,not just the ones put in for the exam.

Kenlee · 26/09/2013 13:54

If you think he can survive in grammar then tutor him..