How clever to get into Grammar school?

"Mine only went for sixth form, the extras were vital for all. The more you had on your "extra list " the better your chances"

Either this is in an area I don't know anything about- or things have changed.

Just to be clear, the so called Surrey grammars are not in surrey. Most are in the London borough of Sutton. This is important because not everyone gets the same number of school options to put on their CAF. Depending on where you live, you can put between 3 and 6 schools on your CAF.

I'm afraid that I would agree that well prepared and motivated rather than bright is what will get someone into the grammar schools over the next couple of years. I would also consider carefully what you are looking for, especially if you are also looking at a lengthy commute.

It depends really not only on the school but also the year. I have known some distinctly average children get in with coaching. One of my dd's was offered a place she she is just a hard working middle ability pupil who didn't even get coached.

We are not a super selective area.

Should add dd2's school is in the top 40 schools in the uk but the grammar scores higher.

Op, I don't really , but all I'll say is that none of our three older ones got into grammar school despite 135+ IQs and scoring up to 139+ on the entrance exams for the competitive independent schools they ended up in. So I really have no idea at all.

Op, I don't really , but all I'll say is that none of our three older ones got into grammar school despite 135+ IQs and scoring up to 139+ on the entrance exams for the competitive independent schools they ended up in. So I really have no idea at all.

Sorry Tiggy. I know GS require only a level 5 but Indie school children (most of which will sit for GS as well as Indie) are covering level 6 therefore the state school children need tutoring to that level to be in the top %.

These days it is nothing to do with 'cleverness' - it is all to do with preparation and practise.

How to assess a child's 'brightness' at a primary level?

If you have to resort to a tutor to get your child into a grammar you may find that you are setting your child up to fail. If they are not nautuarally bright they may find the level and pace of stuty to hard and fall behind over time. By all means use the bond books etc but only as a measure as to your childs level/standard.

Mine only went for sixth form, the extras were vital for all. The more you had on your "extra list " the better your chances
Lots of friends have same experience though but as our school had 200 more applications than places the top academic marks weren't enough. We are not in London and have only one girls grammar in our county so very popular

If you can tell us roughly what area you are talking about, we should be able to provide more specific advice.

Oh, and if it's a state grammar school, extra curricular activities are completely irrelevant Even for appeals. It's evidence of academic ability only

kitchen you couldn't be more wrong about all the extra curricular stuff. State grammar schools neither know nor care if a child is musical sporty or whatever when they allocate places. It's only on the exam.

You don't need to pay for a professional tutor, but you do need to do some research and preparation.

A regular grammar is worth a try for a child who is in the top third of ability and is well-prepared for the test.

Find out what subjects are tested, in what format (standard or multiple choice) and how many questions in how much time.

Set aside a time each week (will probably need to be a hour if you only have eight months to do it in).

Go through one topic a week in each subject (e.g. one Maths topic, one VR question type). Check she knows how to do the questions and give her some to practise.

By the summer, she should be building up to doing a practice paper each week. Teach her exam technique: not spending too long on one question etc.

None of the grammars test level 6 material though, do they? They present problems which I guess could be answered in a different way by someone with more experience, using techniques taught at level 6 and level 7, but could be answered equally well by using techniques taught at level 5.

I do look at my current year 6 child and wonder what on earth he is going to learn in maths in the next 18 months.

Can you say which county ? Or school ?

Buggedoff is correct. You won’t necessarily need a tutor but you will need to prepare. Practice papers are best. The more the better. Familiarity also offers an advantage with limited time papers. For English essay and comprehension sections it is always good to know how to score high marks. Take a look at londonmumsmagazine.com/2013/creative-writing-magic-money-cards and downloads.bbc.co.uk/radio2/500words/learning-resource-pack-2014.pdf .

OP I would strongly advise going to the elevenplusexams website and researching your area. There used to be a website called chuckra with a lot of free stuff. Don't waste money on bond books if they are the wrong format for your area!

I agree sobbing, it's unfair and more grammar schools are needed.