To wonder why the elevenplus forum parents put their DC through it when

[safflower]

they are so stressed themselves?

Apparently it is results day. There are parents beside themselves whilst they wait for the 4pm email. Some have had children in tears this morning worrying if they have made it. If the parents are suffering, I cannot imagine what those poor children must be feeling.

With three going back on the same day Yellowtip you'd need a bus to transport them and their belongings

I've got a thing called a Transporter Horsemad which could potentially fit a house but our own house is little so their possessions are pretty much pared to the bone. The Fresher's reps who met DS1 a few weeks ago were horrified/ amazed/ impressed at how little he had.

The reality is they need almost nothing at uni and it's a big waste of money, energy and time to fill up the car with saucepans etc. They just need their clothes, a few towels and a duvet and sheets and stuff to make their room feel like home. As time goes by they seem to add books and notes. I think I could fit three DC and their stuff in a Mini, just.

saintlyjimjams dont take a place up then from someone who wants it.

I don't suppose they do it for fun. They want the best for their children and have worked out that in their area, a grammar school offers that.

Yellowtip I'm relieved to hear they don't need lots of stuff to take to uni - have heard the horror stories from friends who have taken their child and 'stuff' back to uni in two cars!

And I agree with outraged But it's not always easy to know at 11 that your child will be the type to benefit from a less academic education (if that is the choice) . So people would naturally choose the more academic and think that the other option is still open to them if the grammar doesn't work out. Whereas the grammar option is closed to them if they go the other route.