To ditch the idea of Grammar as DD isn't good at maths?

[ICameOnTheJitney]

despite the fact that she's extremely good at literacy? She's in year 5 and one of the youngest but just flew through a test paper for verbal reasoning in literacy but the maths made her go

I COULD get a tutor couldn't I....she's "ok" in maths but finds it a struggle...her grade is as expected for her age....but she'd need a BIG leap in the coming year.

Considering we have excellent state secondarys here shall I just forget Grammar or put her through a year's worth of hothousing?

[curlew]

There are 15 LEAs ( I think) which have a fully selective system. Including Kent, which is, (I think) the biggest.

[SweetLathyrus]

I really sympathise with those of you having to deal with this choice. I live in an area that is non-selective, and organises its catchments to be genuinely inclusive. My DS is a bit of a Lit whizz, but saw Maths as a necessary evil in year six, but in a good comp environment is beginning to turn that around. I once threatened him with tutoring, just because I thought he was slacking (never intended to follow through) and it worked, but as so many have said, we need to treat them as individuals!

[olgaga]

I would get her a tutor. DD struggled with maths in Y5. Her teacher was able to help me pinpoint the areas she needed to work on and in the end I gave up the (fruitless in this area) search for a tutor. I was able to find lots of resources online and there are plenty of workbooks you can get in WHSmith. We talked it through and I explained it was simply about practicing in peace and quiet, and building her confidence. I also offered her 50p for each 20 min session to boost her pocket money.

It went well, the teacher was really pleased with her progress and DD was noticeably happier and more relaxed in her maths class.

She continued to improve in Y6 without additional help and now, in Y8, she's in the middle set in a non-selective outstanding school with very high standards.

You might want to get a tutor anyway as she needs to do the 11 plus, but often in maths it can be a question of confidence rather than ability.

I would do everything you can to help her get into the best school possible!

[Retropear]

I'm with LaQueen don't get the beef.

My only problem is the privately educated applying as they are state schools so should only take state children.Places are limited and if the privately educated don't have an advantage get thee to your local primary.

I can't afford to tutor,my twin boys are bright and one in particular would be far happier in the grammar environment with kids of his ability and work ethic.Hardly a crime and surely the needs of a child should come first.I also don't want them there under ales circumstances.

So we've bought loads of books and are doing it ourselves in a relaxed fashion which anybody is free to do.It aint rocket science and due to their ability won't be that arduous.If they don't get in I'm not going to lose much sleep over it as bright kids will do well wherever they go.

Dp and I both want to utterly shitty comps and would have preferred/ been happier in a grammar environment.We still got degrees and did well.

Not sure why all bright kids have to be at the local comp and their presence will be advantageous to other kids.I pick schools to suit my dc not the entire community.

[Retropear]

False

[Retropear]

One of the areas one of my dc is extremely able in has far better provision at the grammar(we've checked) so it makes far more sense to attempt to go there.

[difficultpickle]

Retro what about those parents who chose private for non-educational reasons? Prep school fees are substantially cheaper than senior school and I know lots of people who will be choosing state senior schools for that reason (both grammar and comprehensive).

[ErrolTheDragon]

I really don't understand why, in areas with GSs, the state schools don't all prepare their kids for 11+, which is what happened back in my day.

[difficultpickle]

When I was at school (many many years ago) we did three practice tests in class and then the exams. No tutoring at all and no shame in going to the local secondary either (which seems to be part of the problem these days).

[Retropear]

The school w're looking at does 2 free full days in prep.

I agree though.I think there should be an 11+ club for anybody interested in primary schools.If you're at a certain level it's just technique,if it takes more than that they shouldn't be there hence my relaxed approach.

[Retropear]

Tbh I'm mostly interested in the atmosphere as dtwin 2 is very swotty,geeky and would imvho be happier with other highly motivated kids.Re gold standard my friend's son has just got into Oxford from the average local comp(our second choice), in our case the grammar is no better academically imvho.

[Retropear]

Only because of intake,not because they're getting anything gold plated.

We have friends who are secondary heads and teachers who say teaching may well be better in comps as they have to work harder at keeping kids motivated.

[difficultpickle]

I wonder if the perception is because, at least where we live, people don't consciously choose the local comp. They end up at the local comp either because they have failed the 11+ or because they have chosen not to do the 11+. There is always that consideration, rightly or wrongly.

Ds is at a non-selective prep but will most probably go to a highly selective senior school as that is the only way I can guarantee he will do any work!

[Retropear]

You could get very lazy as a grammar teacher.You're hardly going to leave your comfort zone very often.

We just loved the atmosphere though and the building. I really suited dtwin2 not sure about his twin,may well be happier in the comp.Will get them to visit both.

[Retropear]

If you want red brick unis further down the line most of my teaching friends say you're better off at a comp- they're doing a lot of work to get more kids from state comps in.

Something to keep in mind which I am.

[curlew]

In kent, which, I think is the largest fully selective LEA, primary schools are specifically forbidden to provide any preparation. for the 11+, apart from a couple of practice papers.

[curlew]

"If you want red brick unis further down the line most of my teaching friends say you're better off at a comp- they're doing a lot of work to get more kids from state comps in."

I'm sure most grammar school parents are hoping for better than a "red brick".

[Retropear]

Oxbridge are trying to attract more kids from state comps,the top unis were vying for my friends comp educated son.