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Original poster

Chelmsford high school for girls

31 replies

smartiejake · 01/10/2008 22:16

I took my dd (in year 5 so secondary transfer in 2010) to see this school this evening as she would like to take the 11+. She has just started at kip mcgrath for extra tuition (primarily for the verbal reasoning as they don't do that at her primary)She is bright and I think a grammar would suit her.

We were very impressed with the school. It had a lovely feel to it but I want the heads up from parents of kids who actually go there.

Is it really the wonderful caring community it professes to be (and seems to be) or just a pressurised exam factory?

OP posts:
gingerninja · 02/10/2008 11:27

Well, I'd guess that is pretty much the case these days if you're having to find income. It's all about business.

Sorry, hope someone can help

drivinmecrazy · 02/10/2008 11:22

DD1 just started yr3 and it has been suggested that she start thinking about wether she will take 11 plus. Talking to another mum with a boy who just passed 11 plus last year really worried me because she said she visited several grammars in essex and was quite saddened by the kids appearing too 'geekish' and not at all well rounded. I wonder what the attitude is at the girls schools. Also fearful of putting her in for 11 plus 'cos i would only want her to go to chelmsford or colchester, but they have to not only pass but get into the top top grades to get offered a good grammar. Don't fancy going through all tuition for her to be offered a place at Southend grammar!
BTW, I have been told she would have to start tuition yr4, ideally. Am thinking of paying for one of these private assesments next year which supposedly tell you if your child has real chance of passing highly enough to get a decent offer.

Original poster
smartiejake · 02/10/2008 11:13

I know it is very highly thought of and results are good and there is huge competition to get in but I worry about the pressure they are put under.

One of my friend's daughters was at a different grammar in Essex and she was not at all happy with the pastoral system. The girls were seen as commodities (e.g. points on the league tables.) Her daughter was made to feel a failure as she was only predicted to get a B at GCSE (her worse subject) This school also had a fabulous reputation and had girls flocking in from miles to get in.

OP posts:
gingerninja · 02/10/2008 11:00

I don't have any direct experience of it (although live very close) but it is always rated very highly locally. The girls that flock in and out look like normal teenagers to me.

Original poster
smartiejake · 02/10/2008 10:57

Bump

OP posts:
Original poster
smartiejake · 01/10/2008 22:48

anyone?

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