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Original poster

What to ask at grammar school open day

30 replies

Scottishgirl85 · 09/07/2024 21:57

I'm attending an open day for a Bucks Grammar tomorrow. My daughter is Y4 so I'm a year ahead of myself, but want to assess the various options well ahead of applications.
What kind of questions should I be asking?

OP posts:
Original poster
Scottishgirl85 · 10/07/2024 11:43

Thanks everyone. Just back and I was really impressed!

@redskydarknight we're in Bucks and won't be moving, so our strategy is:

If pass 11+, choose between girls grammar or mixed grammar

If don't pass 11+, then choose between 2 local secondaries, or consider private.

So we have 5 schools to visit!

OP posts:
Tiredalwaystired · 10/07/2024 11:37

Always always always talk to the children about their experiences. They are refreshingly honest!

what do they like best? What’s the worst thing about the school (beside lunches and PE in the rain)? Which teachers do they rate and why? Etc

SwanHK · 10/07/2024 10:13
  • what foreign lang choices will be offered ? Is it mandatory or my child can choose on their own?
  • What subject is mandatory in your school in GCSE? What is other subject choices?
  • Ask the students about the teacher turn over rate.
Missingthesnow2 · 10/07/2024 09:49

I think the big thing in Bucks is the difference in “feel” between the co-Ed’s and the single sex grammar schools. They are different, but could be equally a good fit, depending on your child.
Ask the kids who show you round about the specifics of the things that your child is interested in; e.g. is there a girls football team that plays fixtures? How many boys join the choir or play an instrument? That sort of thing.

also: how much homework do you have per night? Do you manage to get it all done?

redskydarknight · 10/07/2024 07:48

What's your reason for considering a Bucks grammar?

Are you in a different county and deciding whether or not to bother to apply there?

Do you live in Bucks so stuck with the grammar system but have a genuine choice of possible grammars and you're trying to choose between them (not the case in a lot of Bucks)?

Do you live in Bucks and are trying to work out whether the grammar is worth it for your child and if you might be better to move somewhere without 11+?

Are you considering whether to send your child to the grammar school (assuming they pass 11+) or go to private school?

I suspect the answer to these will affect the questions you want to ask.

(I'm assuming since you make a point of specifying it's a grammar school, that you're not asking about general school open day questions).