Decision time - state grammar school or quasi-selective independent school

If the school can't take credit for their Oxbridge candidates, then why the need discriminate against so-called good schools?

You can't really have it both ways.

'Violethill: "Highly intelligent parents are more likely to have high earning careers."

They're also more likely to have intelligent children. This might also explain why their children tend to do well academically!'

absolutely! I think this is fairly obvious!

I was just making the point that they are also most likely to be in the position of being able to afford to pay if they feel they need to, or being able to afford to live in a good area with good state options if that's what they choose.

Therefore, you are more likely to get a higher concentration of Oxbridge candidates in these types of school. It doesn't necessarily mean that it's the school that has 'turned them' into Oxbridge candidates, because as I said, in my experience, you find the stellar bright kids in any type of school.

OOps, dd on my knee felt that was worth saying twice!

True, Ria. Mine was twice that size!

True, Ria. Mine was twice that size!

interesting leeza

my son is extremely driven to the point of egocentrism - maybe it is the right place for him!

27 got offers from Oxbridge this year from my DCs grammar school.

Leeza2's post rather illustrates what I am saying about top grades from private schools.

minicooper

surely that depends on the school size

four form intake means our grammars are not HUGE

Most teenagers swear. They think it's big.
I think you'd probably feel more relaxed with the independent option.

our state grammar is top 20 on those league tables

last year 4 boys out of 22 who applied to oxbridge got in - not good

6 more were 'pooled' but did not get in

depressing

If schools can't do anything to prepare a pupil for Oxbridge, why the hoo-ha about discriminating against independent school candidates?

Surely there is nothing to fear?

Violethill: "Highly intelligent parents are more likely to have high earning careers."

They're also more likely to have intelligent children. This might also explain why their children tend to do well academically!

Quattro, oooh, really interesting dilemma! I was educated in both state and private schools and have taught in state, grammar and the private sector - non-selective and selective. Personally I think that the main thing that you are paying for is personal attention; while in post in my excellent grammar school I felt that my students were effectively getting a 'private school education' for free. I know that many parents viewed it this way too. Having now taught in the private sector, I feel differently. In the grammar school I taught more than 500 pupils a week. In my private schools I taught closer to 100. Inevitably I knew the pupils, their strengths, weaknesses, personal situations etc much better and had, importantly, more time to spend with them as individuals. The teaching will be excellent in either sector, but the personal attention may not be the same.

It depends on your child; some thrive in the larger grammar schools - particularly those who are confident and highly motivated. I know others who found that they withered in such a hothouse. At my latest school, I sat in the Christmas assembly and realised that I knew the names of every child in the school. I couldn't say the same after 4 years in the grammar school, much as I loved it. As my Mum says, you're a name, not a number in a smaller school. It sounds like you've pretty much made your mind up anyway, but hope this helps.

This is very interesting. Our DD went to an Oxbridge college. She went to a private school and got good grades but had no interest in the subject she applied for and was not at all self motivated or a self learner. She was very immature but confident, well spoken and articulate. We were exteremly worried about her going there and expressed our concerns.

She struggled - it took her fours years to scrape a 2:2

IMHO she would have done much better elsewhere

You can see that I am passionate about my response

I think they care about passion for the subject, which I think you can really only get across in the personal statement and interview.

Other places will be looking for well-rounded candidates. Oxford and Cambridge are only two institutions. There are plenty of other great places.

I think they care about passion for the subject, which I think you can really only get across in the personal statement and interview.

Other places will be looking for well-rounded candidates. Oxford and Cambridge are only two institutions. There are plenty of other great places.

I think they care about passion for the subject, which I think you can really only get across in the personal statement and interview.

Other places will be looking for well-rounded candidates. Oxford and Cambridge are only two institutions. There are plenty of other great places.

I agree with violethill - my experience as a teacher of nearly 25 year (gosh i'm old) is that you spot Oxbridge students a mile off. I have taught in independent and state and the ones who get in have stood out from other students and to be honest would get in from either type of school.

when she wrote

" none of us give a monkey's about sport, gap years or being 'rounded "

I assumed that she meant they disregarded references and personal statements.After all, you can get a good personal statement from the internet and I'm assuming that all applicants will have excellent references from their teachers. After all, its in the school's interest to get their pupils in

Your screen must be showing something different from mine, then, Violet.

Thanks scienceteacher - I can read and I am well aware of what Abby's post said. And I'm sure we can all read the CSAS without it having to be re-written by you.

Btw - it's the weekend now, you can go off duty, you're not in a lesson now!!

Personal statements, references and interviews, Kristina?

As with anything, the devil is in the detail.

The CSAS is rather full of hedge-words.

[quote]
An applicant will be eligible for consideration under the Cambridge Special Access Scheme if either
of the following circumstances apply:
? Very few people from the applicant?s school/college proceed to higher education and the
applicant?s family has little or no tradition of entry to higher education to study for a degree.
or
? The applicant?s education has been significantly disrupted or disadvantaged through health or
personal problems, disability or difficulties with schooling.

with a following wind when there is an R in the month.

It would be interesting to see what proportion of their undergraduates, and graduates, entered through the first clause of this scheme.

There are so many higher education instututions now that it is is hard to think of even the most deprived sixth form that can muster a few pupils in that general direction.

It does sound like a worthy scheme though. Somehow, I don't think it is the top end of the student spectrum that will need to fear their places though.

Abby - how then do you distinguish between all the candidates who have 10As and are predicted to get 3Aas? Assuming they are all in approved subjects.