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Original poster

How do you know if your child is 'grammar school material'?

35 replies

UndertheCedartree · 10/10/2021 09:05

With the lack of parent and teacher meetings over the last year and a half I really don't know where my DD is. Her last school report said she had a lot of potential. How do I tell if it is worth doing 11+ prep?

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Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 10/10/2021 10:37

@TCMcK - she's just started Y5. I never got to speak to her Y4 teacher. I have a parent and teacher meeting at the beginning of November so I will speak to her teacher then.

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Original poster
UndertheCedartree · 10/10/2021 10:35

@HollowTalk - thank you. Her school doesn't have any compulsory homework however she is often quite keen to do some homework and enjoys reading. She doesn't read much non-fiction but I think she would if I suggested it. I will have to ask about capital cities!

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AliMonkey · 10/10/2021 10:00

I think a huge part of it is about attitude - does she enjoy learning, is she naturally curious and is she willing to work hard? But obviously needs to be bright as well. So does she tend to get full marks in tests (or close)? Does she grasp concepts quickly? I “just knew” DD was grammar school material but as she’s just done GCSEs and come out with amazing results I can see that’s because she is “near the top of grammar school” material.

Does she want to go to grammar? Because if she doesn’t and/or isn’t interested in putting in the work required to practice for 11+ or to work hard when she is there, then don’t do it. I think DS could have got in (not as clearcut as DD) but he wasn’t interested so didn’t try for it. In hindsight, though his current school isn’t good, it was still the right decision as he would have found the pace too pressurised.

Zodlebud · 10/10/2021 09:47

Depends where in the country you are. If you are in Bucks then she should be in the top 20-30% of her class. Does she pick things up quickly, enjoy reading, genuinely inquisitive, like school, in top sets etc?

If you are in an area where you opt in for grammar tests or looking at super selectives with no catchment then the bar is set MUCH higher.

motherofawhirlwind · 10/10/2021 09:37

Exactly @MackenCheese - even bottom sets are largely predicted 7's at GCSE and they all do the advanced papers in science etc. Happier in maths now they're set as she's not bottom and so can't worry about being the worst now! Mine struggles with friendships but she would anywhere. I think in a comp she'd still coast, but at a lower level, if you follow me.

MackenCheese · 10/10/2021 09:30

I'd say my DD is similar to yours, @motherofawhirlwind . She is in year 8 and was very bright (top sets, found everything easy and "boring" ) in primary school. Did an IQ test just after missing the 11+ and got in on appeal (IQ on 99th percentile) but she is coasting in grammar school. Bottom sets, has a nice bunch of friends and is happy enough. Even the girls in the bottom sets do well at this school, so I'm not bothered if she isn't!

motherofawhirlwind · 10/10/2021 09:23

I took mine to a tutor who I knew had good success rates and only took a certain number of kids in each year. She did an assessment with her and told me if she was willing to take her on. I know of others who were told no.

But she didn't do any of the things Hollow mentions, still doesn't (Year 10). I just felt she was genuinely inquisitive, a decent reader (just never reads for pleasure), didn't seem to struggle with maths concepts (although her times tables are still appalling) and generally bright. She's never going to be top but she's middleish for most subjects and that's fine by me.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 10/10/2021 09:22

Where are you? I live in East Kent, where approximately 25% of children will go to Grammar. In other parts of the country, you’d be looking at 5%, or even less.

TCMcK · 10/10/2021 09:17

What year is your DD? I have a year 4 DS and I’m not sure either. We have a virtual parents meeting tomorrow so I may just ask his teacher. Not sure if it’s too early to tell at this point though. I have a DD at grammar school & I asked her teacher at the end of year 4 if she was suitable.

HollowTalk · 10/10/2021 09:16

I think the test is whether she does independent work outside of school. So does she do her homework willingly? Does she read a lot? Does she like non-fiction books? Does she like being tested e.g. spellings and sums? If you suggested learning a lot of Capital Cities for instance, would she be happy with that or complain?