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11+ prep - worth trying?

30 replies

Bestbabbymum · 26/09/2017 22:24

Hello all

My DC is in year 5 now and we are thinking whether 11+ is worth trying. He is good at math, VR, NVR but struggles with English. Our nearest secondary is not where we want him to be. So it's either to try grammar schools or independent ones. The nearest grammar is Tiffin but competition is high. Other grammar schools far away (Buckinghamshire) but they said that they have no catchment areas, i.e. anyone can apply. My question is would it be easier to get into one of Buckinghamshire grammars or Tiffin? Should we actually do any prep if chances are litlle? Most of DC classmates are just going to aplly to local states. Any advice is much appreciated!

OP posts:
Wimbles101 · 27/09/2017 10:41

Yep have to agree the competition is crazy and getting crazier.y ds1 is now at a lovely independent school having been put on a waiting list for a surrey grammar. He is so happy and now won't even think of moving if a place comes up.

Wilsons and SGS are nowadays considered the 'better' Surrey grammars and are just as tough as Tiffin - often the same boys will sit for all three schools.

SGS has a lovely head but the places are extremely competitive. Boys that would have got in a few years ago are not getting in now.

JoJoSM2 · 27/09/2017 10:30

I think it's always worth trying - even if he's doesn't get in, he'll be that big smarter for it. The competition is fierce- about 6,000 kids sat the Sutton test and I believe Tiffin gets in excess of 2,000 applicants. I'm not familiar with the Bucks grammars. It takes a very bright child and tons of prep to stand a chance. You might be more lucky in the independent sector so it'd be good to keep your options open.

Teddygirlonce · 27/09/2017 07:29

I think they can be marginally easier to get in to - not sure that's really true. It's just there seems to be a total frenzy about Tiffin, particularly as it's the most accessible from West London (whereas the Sutton ones aren't, except with a very convoluted/long journey).

I think you may find that Wilson's (one of the Sutton grammars) consistently outperforms Tiffin (Boys) in league tables, although for the girls grammars Tiffin does usually edge it over Sutton competitors.

The Kingston/Sutton grammars are super-selectives in a way that the Bucks ones aren't (I don't think). Check any league tables and you will find that the SW London borough ones year on year generally outperform the Bucks grammars by some margin.

You need to look at the entry requirements for all, TBQH.

It is possible to get into a super-selective with additional input from Year 5, BUT probably becoming less and less easy to do so. The demand for places is ramping up every year. Most children seem to start being tutored from Year 3/4 (and many continue to be so right through secondary school too, even once they're in grammar schools).

And grammar schools don't necessarily serve all their pupils to reach their potential in a way that you'd necessarily consider they would. If you've got a reasonably bright child you may find a very good comprehensive will serve them better. IMHO (having been to one myself and having a DS who is at one), grammar schools generally require DC to be self-motivated learners - they are not spoon-fed. If you've got a child who's not, you may find that they don't actually achieve as well as they should do/would do in a more 'pushy' comprehensive educational environment.

Good luck!

FoofFoof · 27/09/2017 07:21

Bucks grammars award on distance once you have met the qualifying score of 121 (so scoring 177 is no better than 121). However bright your child is if you live too far away you won't get a place. Look at the elevenplus forum - historical allocation distances for all Bucks grammars are shown on there.

Growingpeopleme · 27/09/2017 06:29

If you are close enough for Tiffin could you also sit for the Sutton Grammers? I think they can be marginally easier to get in to.