Going for better school...

Irvine, from what you have said, your son's ability does sound exceptional. I agree with showing him the various schools but also agree wjth noble- whether you is strong willed or not, a big decision about his future should not be really his to make at 10.
I would look at the school entrance exams online. Do they have a NVR first round, is it done on a computer etc. The maths should be a doddle but he would still need to familiarise himself with the types of question. Similarly, the comprehension. If he is very reluctant and that shows, I'm not sure how he would pass an interview however?

But if he's that far ahead, he won't have many peers wherever he goes to. My dd is currently in year 6 and we have been told by her school that she is working at ks4 level (which is, frankly, rubbish - I guess they mean that she could probably get 20%, or whatever the necessary percentage is for a grade C equivalent). She'll probably be one of the higher achievers at her state secondary - but, meh. It'll all even out by A level anyway.

OP my DS (also very bright, think 120 maths SATS) did not get into a selective grammar initially (he was nervous in exam) though his equal ability twin did and is flourishing.

The twin who didn't get in went to comp in Sept. About a week into term he was offered another place at a selective grammar, which he declined as he was initially happy at comp. I had my concerns on here as Noble and others may recall as I was concerned that by one twin at grammar and one at comp, differences may arise.

Several months in and my son (and us) would give anything to have the grammar place back. He's not happy at school and the differences in confidence in learning between the gs and comp is growing. DS at grammar is flourishing, loving learning in a great environment.

DS at comp is in all top sets but low level disruption, some bullying for being bright and teachers don't really bother with him. He's uninspired and has to wait for others to 'catch up'

This is just our story. My brother was a maths whizz, went to that same comp (was bullied for being bright) ended up with a first in Physics from a RG uni and has a fantastic career so every case is different.

However, if I were in your shoes, If I could turn back the clock I would have grabbed opportunity.

We are looking into independent schools ourselves now.

My DS did not 'perform' as well as expected in the 11 plus (even though he did eventually get a place offered) He's far better in class. So I see your point about entrance exams - they can damage confidence if you are not careful.

Good luck.

My child an outlier in one subject in particular. Efforts are being made to support that when working above the group. Differentiation is the key and time will tell re if that has worked!

Mmm- is the school op talking about special measures or the like?
Then, maybe has a point if no efforts being made to turn school around.

dinky
I think you're being harsh on the OP.
I used to work in a failing school and to be honest, bright kids would be lucky to have left with 5 Cs at GCSE. There were complex reasons behind the school's situation but it wasn't a place for thr exceptionally bright.

OP, it depends how 'sink' it is. E.g. My local comp was deemed to be failing but actually highly able students did reasonably well and went on to great colleges and 6th forms. Another local school is 'outstanding' and kids get high gcsrs but when they join our 6th form they have zero independence or resilience and think we should spoon feed them an a level whilst they do as little as possible

I think noble has a point. At 10 years old, he is too young to make that call.

I think that I said this on your previous thread, but I'll repeat it anyway. If your school is the only school in the area there will be a significant amount of higher ability children, because there will be a significant amount of parents who simply can't afford private education.

This doesn't mean that they don't care about their children's education, it simply means that private school is unachievable (even if, as is often suggested on MN), they take on a lodger/ironing.

I've nearly bowed out but back!
Bertrand raises good point. At my child's school not many high achievers and therefore even if school does well by those pupils does not really impact much on bottom lines.
Bye for now!!

When you say the results aren’t great, what do you mean? What %age of high achievers are there and how do they do?

Oh for goodness sake... I will bow out.
Actually my child at a school you would cry 'sink' at I am sure. He is very bright. They are supporting him very well.
You want private. Fine. Nothing wrong with that but lay off the rude words like 'sink'.
I do wish you luck...

'Facts' depend on where you are standing and how you are looking.
Your idea of a fact might be different to another persons depending on how data is looked at, whether fact informed by gossip, historical general viewpoint or actual experience.
Facts can be disputed...

Sink shool again! So rude...

I would take him to see some schools, talk to the Maths department there, see what they can offer him. Not many schools can offer support for an outlier.

I posted on your other thread. Dd wasn't interested when I first discussed it either. In her eyes she'd been up to use the sports facilities at the comprehensive and nearly all her friends were going there. And obviously not like I'd start calling it a sink school to her and listing all the reasons why.

Going round the various schools on open days changed her mind. We went to the sink school and two she had little/ no chance of a place at, and she brought up the differences herself.

We also viewed two privates, hers and a second choice. And they blew her away. If anything I had to keep a check on her eagerness incase a bursary wasn't forthcoming.

If it's the idea of preparation, give him a test to try. He might realise it's not going to entail much. Dd had the vr/nvr explanation guide which she read through whilst watching tv and tried some questions. Plus a full set of test papers which she looked through in the same haphazard manner. Then we did one timed practice during the Xmas holidays.

From various threads we've both been on I get the impression your ds will only need a similar (lack) of preparation.

*write to your nearby private school which you mentioned you prefer.

We are in yr5 this year too and the competition in southwest london is scary. All kids are really smart and most importantly work seriously hard.

Irvine: Many boardings, grammar schools and private offer 6 forms large scholarship/bursary, you have another decision time later on too, it isnt just 11+. Either himself or his dad might change his mind in 6 years time. If you really dont want to send him to your local comp then talk/write to the nearby school to convince them to find a way to test/stimulate/check him if he could qualify for their scholarship/bursary.

How tied to your area are you? I would seriously be considering a move too. You don't have much time though. Entrance exams will begin in some areas in last week of august.

What does he/what do you want in a school? It may be time to consider boarding, if he's that able. Many schools have scholarships.

Bit drastic but can you move areas? Perhaps to a Grammar school area?

OP, Give us some info why you think it's a sinking school.

Calling schools sink schools is so damn rude...