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Original poster

How ridiculous that you can pass the 11+ and not get into a grammar school.

34 replies

RockingChair · 02/03/2010 16:35

Not that mine are doing it, but I couldn't believe that there are a great many children who, after learning they have passed the exam, are not even being offered a place.

Surely they should do as they did in my day 30 plus years ago. X amount of grammar places, the top x amount passed the exam. Everyone got a place at their grammar school.

What must they be doing to these children who are distraught on learning they have not made a place.

I almost feel like a march ! Absolutely dreadful to play with these childrens minds, who now may not think they are good enough.

Will get orf me soapbox now.

OP posts:
Original poster
RockingChair · 02/03/2010 17:02

ok, no passing or failing .

The main beef is that the ones who have got the higher score/been selected, i have no idea of the wording as they still use pass or fail round here, BUT those children who were selected, then raise their hopes for a place for a few months, to come crashing down again when they don't get into the grammar.

It must be very painful to deal with if it were a child of mine. No matter whether you play it down, that child knows, they could have had a grammar place, but then wasnt offered one.

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solo · 02/03/2010 17:01

It's changed since then RC. Yes, I left school 30 years ago too! and went to a faith secondary.

In our area, you get a CAF and have 6 choices. You don't have to choose 6, but of course if you don't get your choices and have only put 2 down, you'll just get whatever which is not the way to go...although my friends Ds got his only choice doing it this way(not a grammar school).
I have to say though that filling in the CAF was the hardest part of the entire process for me.

cat64 · 02/03/2010 16:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
RockingChair · 02/03/2010 16:55

i see what you mean solo, but when i did it, we had a choice of the grammar schools only iirc.

So if you passed you got a pink slip with the grammars on it of which you put your order of preference.

Not eveyone got their choice but they all got a grammar place.

If you didn't pass, then you got a cream coloured slip with the other schools on and made your choice of those.

Just seems so much easier all round.

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Original poster
RockingChair · 02/03/2010 16:52

yes sugartits, but in my day, the grammar spaces were shared out with the ones who passed with the highest marks, and some came from outside the area, but there was not this huge disappointment that there seems to be today.

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solo · 02/03/2010 16:52

My Ds passed his 11+ and when we made our schools choice, the first 3 were the grammars and the next 2 faith schools and the last was a mixed comp. I didn't build Ds up to believe that he'd get a place in a grammar, but I made sure that all the schools put down were acceptable to both of us. I think it's up to parents to make sure their children are prepared to accept what they are allocated. It's most likely the parents that are most disappointed unless the Dc's have been pushed to the point where it's their expectation that they will get a grammar school place. Just my point of view.

sugartits · 02/03/2010 16:49

You could argue that they shouldn't be entered into taking the 11 plus for schools that they are unlikely to get into (due to catchment).

Only playing devils advocate (and yes I admit my dd has got into her GS for next year).

RubysReturn · 02/03/2010 16:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
RockingChair · 02/03/2010 16:46

how weird. this never came up in active convos! so trying again.

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