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AIBU?

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

236 replies

ICameOnTheJitney · 05/10/2013 12:46

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?

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curlew · 08/10/2013 16:25

I don' think I am, olgaga- I think we're on the same side!

curlew · 08/10/2013 16:29

"But I still think DSs grammar offers more opportunities than the excellent comp in our area."

That's rather my point. Why should children already advantaged have more advantage because of their performance in a test on a couple of days when they were 10? Why shouldn't the children at the comprehensive (if it is, most comprehensives in grammar school areas are anything but- have all the opportunities open to the grammar school pupils?

olgaga · 08/10/2013 16:49

But the point is surely that you will try to get your children the best education for them thatvyou can, whether thst is Independent, GS home schooling or Comp.

Whether that necessitates lots of effort on your part or the expense of a tutor, or homework clubs etc - the fact is that few children can achieve their fullest potential simply through school because no school does it all.

An excellent secondary school can take no credit for Y7 GCSEs - that's the result of extra-curricular tuition through primary school.

Retropear · 08/10/2013 17:03

Curlew what are these "advantages"?

MrsMaybeMaybe · 08/10/2013 17:18

Retropear, at DSs school all science teachers are PHD educated, there is Latin, kids that want to become doctors join med. society at school, there is also a Law society. the school helps with work experiences, interviews to Oxbridge, etc, etc. Maybe some comps also offer such advantages, but I doubt it.

curlew · 08/10/2013 17:24

I don't know, retro, but there must be some, or people wouldn't be scrambling for grammar school places.....

Retropear · 08/10/2013 17:25

Errr they do-with bells on.

The science provision at our local state is better you don't get a specialist at GCSE at the grammar only A level which you can only do if you get A at GCSE.

As I said our friend's son has just gone to Oxford from said average comp just fine.

Oh and re Latin you can keep it,my niece does it at state primary and I soooooo don't get the hype.

MrsMaybeMaybe · 08/10/2013 17:33

That's great Retropear, unfortunately our local comp does not offer anything like that and was in the news last year because 2 kids from this school got into Oxbridge :)

ErrolTheDragon · 08/10/2013 17:36

All of which discussion yet again proves the only general rule - that you can't generalise about schools, you have to judge which of the schools available in your area is best suited to your child(ren).

MrsMaybeMaybe · 08/10/2013 17:37

PS we DO get specialist GCSEs at DSs school.

olgaga · 08/10/2013 17:50

Exactly Retro - and in doing so you will enhance their opportunity to fulil their potential, regardless of the category of school.

olgaga · 08/10/2013 17:50

Sorry, I meant *exactly, Errol.

Retropear · 08/10/2013 17:51

Great that isn't all grammar's though which is why I'm not sure I want my sciencey boy to go.

Swotty all rounder - totally different kettle of fish.

curlew · 08/10/2013 17:54

"ou have to judge which of the schools available in your area is best suited to your child(ren)."
That's a bit of a problem if you have to pass a test on a particular day when you're 10 to get into one of them.

Retropear · 08/10/2013 17:56

But curlew it isn't rocket science,they should already be working at that level and not have to "perform" for a day.

curlew · 08/10/2013 18:00

What about late developers? What about kids whose parents don't know how to "play the game"?

Retropear · 08/10/2013 18:04

Play the game,don't get that and sorry if kid haven't developed enough by year 6 grammar isn't for them surely.Most grammars I know take no prisoners.You can't even do the A levels you want if you don't get high enough grades.

olgaga · 08/10/2013 18:06

It's not a bloody "game" curlew. That's a really sad comment. You dont have to be brainy, or a graduate professional -;or rich - to value and priorotise your children's education.

curlew · 08/10/2013 18:16

You notice I put "play the game" in inverted commas. There are a lot of parents who have no idea how the system works. Their children, however bright, have no chance. In a properly set comprehensive, they would get their chance.

I don't know any 6th form where you don't need to get the grades to get in, by the way.

Retropear · 08/10/2013 18:19

Why would the presence of 2 or 3 kids have any impact on the rest of the class?

ErrolTheDragon · 08/10/2013 18:20

That's a bit of a problem if you have to pass a test on a particular day when you're 10 to get into one of them

I know - my DD was only eligible for 'residual places' so she had to do more than pass. So we rather underplayed the virtues of the GS till we knew she had a place and made sure we had a solid backup we were all happy with. This must be a lot harder in full GS areas.

curlew · 08/10/2013 18:22

Ah. You're talking super selective. I agree that those do not have much impact on the surrounding schools. I think they are a bad idea for different reasons, but that's another thread.

There are several selective areas where 25% go to grammar schools, like the old days.

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Retropear · 08/10/2013 18:22

Also why do these kids who don't get in have no chance?

I may well have 1 in each( as do several people I know),not sure what the extra chances will be for the non grammar boy.

curlew · 08/10/2013 18:24

As I said, I don't know. But the grammar schools must have something special to offer if parents put so much time, effort, money and elbows into getting their child in. Whatever it is, why should only 25% of kids get it?

Retropear · 08/10/2013 18:34

It's starting to sound a bit emperor's new clothes.

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