Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

What the heck is a grammer school?

511 replies

BlackBarbies · 27/03/2023 15:29

Posting here for traffic!

Born and raised in South West London and still live here now. I’ve never heard of a grammar school until joining MN a couple of years ago.

Is it a primary school, is it a secondary school? Is it private or public? If it’s public, then why is it called a grammer school? Is it only available for certain types of children or something? I literally have no clue what a grammer school is so I’m happy to be enlightened!

Also, are there any in SW London? I’m genuinely intrigued as to how I’ve never come across one before

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Villssev · 27/03/2023 15:31

Selective state

Ie you have to pass 11 plus to be considered

Daisy03 · 27/03/2023 15:31

It's a state school, secondary, which you have to pass the 11+ test to be admitted, test is taken in year 6

Hbh17 · 27/03/2023 15:31

How can you not know?!
Secondary school if child passes 11 plus.
And it's "grammar" school.

Villssev · 27/03/2023 15:32

Why are you interested out of interest?

Paperexcelandpens · 27/03/2023 15:32

I'd never heard of these until I joined mumsnet either. They don't have them where I am.

slamfightbrightlight · 27/03/2023 15:33

To be fair to OP, there are only 160-odd of them and many areas have none at all.

HealthyFats · 27/03/2023 15:33

In SW London- Nonsuch, Wallington, Tiffin.

countvoncount · 27/03/2023 15:33

Hbh17 · 27/03/2023 15:31

How can you not know?!
Secondary school if child passes 11 plus.
And it's "grammar" school.

Literally no need for this.

fishonabicycle · 27/03/2023 15:34

Some counties in England run selective secondary schools. Kids can take an exam in year 6, and if they pass, they go to one of these schools. It's a bit weird you've not heard of them - they've been around for years, and in fact there used to be a lot more of them.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 27/03/2023 15:34

Hbh17 · 27/03/2023 15:31

How can you not know?!
Secondary school if child passes 11 plus.
And it's "grammar" school.

Why be so snotty? Many areas don’t have any at all so it would be easy to not know if they have never featured in your family history, personal experience or opportunities for your kids.

slamfightbrightlight · 27/03/2023 15:34

Also, confusingly, we have a school near us with Grammar in the name which is actually a fee-paying school.

Fladdermus · 27/03/2023 15:35

Not necessarily a state school. I went to an independent all girls grammar school in the UK. Did the common entrance exam when I was 11.

Georgyporky · 27/03/2023 15:36

Primary school children used to take the"11+" exam. Those that passed went to a Grammar School - a state school that offered better education for those deemed more intelligent.

NoKnit · 27/03/2023 15:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

RoseslnTheHospital · 27/03/2023 15:37

Yes, was just going to say that some private fee paying schools have the word "grammar" in the name, but aren't state funded selective grammar schools.

SainteCroissante · 27/03/2023 15:37

Hbh17 · 27/03/2023 15:31

How can you not know?!
Secondary school if child passes 11 plus.
And it's "grammar" school.

Admittedly US-centric, but still somewhat relevant XKCD comic here: https://xkcd.com/1053/
(just update the numbers with the UK population instead)

Ten Thousand

https://xkcd.com/1053

Matchingcollarandcuffs · 27/03/2023 15:37

Blimey - you can't be very SW London - Kingston and Sutton both are in the grammar system and have been for decades

Villssev · 27/03/2023 15:37

Fladdermus · 27/03/2023 15:35

Not necessarily a state school. I went to an independent all girls grammar school in the UK. Did the common entrance exam when I was 11.

That is a private school

dad11122 · 27/03/2023 15:37

Hbh17 · 27/03/2023 15:31

How can you not know?!
Secondary school if child passes 11 plus.
And it's "grammar" school.

Because there are none anywhere near where I live (according to the map). They are something my parents talked about from when they were young (60 years ago and from different parts of the country). Maybe you ought to accept that everyone has different upbringing, experiences, education, etc?

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 27/03/2023 15:38

slamfightbrightlight · 27/03/2023 15:34

Also, confusingly, we have a school near us with Grammar in the name which is actually a fee-paying school.

And there are some with grammar in the name that are state comprehensives!
My kids’ school was founded as Mytown Grammar in the 16th century, changed its name to Mytown School when it became a comprehensive and recently thought about changing the name back.

Fladdermus · 27/03/2023 15:39

Villssev · 27/03/2023 15:37

That is a private school

Show quote history

And it was a grammar school.

Ratatouille1 · 27/03/2023 15:40

It is confusing, there are no state grammar schools in our area ( a good thing in my opinion). There is a state school called Something Grammar which is a regular 11- 18 comp. There are also schools like Bradford Grammar which are independent schools. Don't get me onto why some private schools are called public schools! It's almost like a deliberate snobbery to try and catch you out. Some of these posters are very rude, it is not stupidity to be unaware of something outside your own experience especially if you are trying to correct that by asking questions!

mauvish · 27/03/2023 15:40

Public schools = private schools, ie you pay to send your child there.

Grammar schools are (usually) state schools (though some fee-paying schools still call themselves "grammar", but they are not withint the state sector).
State-sector grammar schools are highly selective, would-be applicants have to pass exams (usually the 11-plus) to get in.

Personally I get sick of people bleating on about how grammar schools are a marvellous thing etc etc. Grammar schools perpetuate discrimination; wealthy parents will pay to coach their children into a grammar school, and will move house to the catchment area (which puts the house prices up), you get the picture. I wonder how many of those bleating parents would think grammar schools are quite so wonderful if they had a non-academic child who wouldn't pass the 11 plus and would then go to the local comp, which has suffered through the more academically able local children being creamed off into the grammar.

(I am a product of a comprehensive, I missed the 11 plus by 3 years. The borough next to where I lived as a child still did the 11 plus. I never "knew" that some of my friends were "thick" until they failed the 11 plus. That system sets 11 year olds up to fail).