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Original poster

Does Grammar School not exist to some people?

669 replies

tippytoesah · 02/08/2019 08:37

Surely it must do?

I've never really discussed schooling before with DH as DC is still so young. But I did recently and mentioned that if he showed promise or wanting to take the 11+, we would support him in any way possible.

He looked at me as if I had two heads and said "What's an 11+? Confused"

He really didn't know it was a thing and had never heard of it. I was shocked and mentioned it to SIL and her friend who also have 0 idea what it is!

I'm not from around here and I grew up in Essex. It was quite a big thing in that county, or at least the area I was in. You either went to a non Christian school which was absolutely terrible, went to a Christian school who were actually half decent or you did the 11+ if you were really bright. It was encouraged and supported.

Does it not even exist in some places then? I will look further into it but DH and close relatives/friends seem to be as clueless as him... maybe it isn't a thing in that part of the county

OP posts:
eurochick · 02/08/2019 08:44

I grew up in a grammar school area and went to one, but I'm aware they do not exist in most of the UK.

ExpletiveDelighted · 02/08/2019 08:45

They haven't existed here in my lifetime (I'm early 50s and live in the same county as I did when growing up) so I don't know anyone who went through the system themselves.

CMOTDibbler · 02/08/2019 08:45

More counties don't have grammar schools than do. I grew up in Oxfordshire which doesn't, and am currently in Worcestershire that doesn't either. The nearest grammar is 25 miles away with no buses or trains there.

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Mrsjayy · 02/08/2019 08:46

We used to have a 2 tier system here a few of my Aunts went tothe clever school but I think Scotland went comprehensive in the 70s.

TapasForTwo · 02/08/2019 08:46

We don't live in a grammar school area either. The grammar schools round here are private schools not state, so while there is an entrance exam it isn't the 11+.

I don't know any young person in RL who has sat the 11+ because it doesn't exist round here. I'm surprised at your naivety.

Having said that DD's old school has grammar in its title but it is grammar in name only as it is a comprehensive, and a rather good one at that. The school has had the same name for over 600 years which is probably why it can still be called "*" grammar school.

MsAwesomeDragon · 02/08/2019 08:46

There weren't any grammar schools at all where I grew up (well, there were, but they were private schools that just called themselves grammar schools, not proper ones).

I now live in an area where there is one grammar school for a HUGE area, and it's about 20 miles away from us. That makes it financially out of reach for a lot of people as the train fare is a lot, and my kids would have to also get a bus to the train station. There are 5 perfectly good comprehensive schools either in walking distance or just one bus ride away, so people round here just don't think about the grammar school.

Hoppinggreen · 02/08/2019 08:47

Sorry, posted 2 early
BUT there are buses to The Grammars from our town and I know a few dc who do go (2 from DD’s Primary plus others) so some parents must be aware but even so most people didn’t know how to apply/about tutoring etc and I ended up being a source of advice for a lot of people

SuzieQ10 · 02/08/2019 08:47

Why would you be surprised that a child wouldn't know what a grammar school / 11+ is if you haven't spoken to them about it before?

As others have said, grammar schools are not in abundance and haven't been for many, many years. There is just one in the large London borough I live in.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 02/08/2019 08:47

We have four in our county, two in Bournemouth and two in Poole so not accessible to the majority

Doubleraspberry · 02/08/2019 08:48

I went to a school called a grammar but it was a comp, so I knew what a grammar was in theory. If not for that I would have grown up without coming across the idea. I think I might have picked up knowledge of what one is going through life though! They’re in the news pretty often for example.

ImpracticalCape · 02/08/2019 08:48

Grew up in North East. No grammar schools here and where they do exist they are just private schools.

It's irrelevant really. I went to a standard Comp in the early 90's and got 3 grade A A-levels. Both my parents were unemployed.

megletthesecond · 02/08/2019 08:49

No grammars in Hampshire.

Leakinglikeacolander · 02/08/2019 08:49

My friend moved counties to enable her dc to attempt the 11+ as their was no Grammar in her area (Cheshire)

LemonRedwood · 02/08/2019 08:49

tippy No grammar schools in either Beds nor Herts. There will be some with "Grammar" still in their name. There will most definitely be partially-selective comprehensives and academies.

Tinty · 02/08/2019 08:49

Well now you understand that many areas do not have Grammar Schools, surely the only question, s, is there a grammar school near to you which your DC could possibly attend? Other than that it is irrelevant whether your DP or SIL etc have heard of the 11+.

AlunWynsKnee · 02/08/2019 08:49

None in Wales.

SolitudeAtAltitude · 02/08/2019 08:50

None here in Hampshire, I don't think

Lots of very good comps though

Nobody I know even talks about grammars, as the comps cover all bases

LemonRedwood · 02/08/2019 08:51

SuzieQ10

Why would you be surprised that a child wouldn't know what a grammar school / 11+ is if you haven't spoken to them about it before?

She was talking to her DH, not her DC

Spinderellacutituponetime · 02/08/2019 08:51

My child goes to a grammar school she looked round a few schools and decided she wanted to go there. It would t have been my political choice but it’s not my choice. I know of a few other grammar schools dotted about they do still exist! Lots of folk here ‘hot-house’ there children to get in to it (private tutoring etc) even though the head teacher advises against it. It’s a good school but I have my reservations, extremely Academic and competitive. Doesn’t suit all kids of course.

JoxerGoesToStuttgart · 02/08/2019 08:52

I didn’t realise grammar schools weren’t a thing in England and Scotland. So do you just have local comprehensives (and private if you can afford it) to choose from? Here in NI the 11+ is pretty standard. All primary schools prep for it (but not with all children as many don’t take it).

genome · 02/08/2019 08:52

There aren't any locally here as far as I'm aware (South Manchester). We have several private schools, which use grammar school in their name, but are fee-paying. I'm slightly amused by the bubble those from the south east live in!

Original poster
tippytoesah · 02/08/2019 08:55

Could anyone fill me in on what 'partially selective' means?

OP posts:
LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 02/08/2019 08:55

To be honest, I thought they were much more common than they are but that's what happens when you hang out on mn too long I guess. None in Scotland, though there are a few schools that are called Grammar they are bog-standard comps.

SolitudeAtAltitude · 02/08/2019 08:55

Joxer, yes, quite a few private schools here, but funnily some are outperformed by the comps Grin

DobbinsVeil · 02/08/2019 08:56

I live in Essex, but not many even sit the 11 plus here. We don't border with another county, but now considered as out of area due to distance from the nearest, which means getting a higher score. I think the local secondary improving a lot has also changed things.