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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:
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6
Ginmonkeyagain · 27/03/2023 16:38

I think that is the thing, if academic results are important then gramamr schools compare well with private schools. However private schools will out gun them every time in terms of better facilties, extra curricular opportunties etc..

Not that it was a choice for my parents as I was a free school meals kid for most of my school time.

Fladdermus · 27/03/2023 16:39

Villssev · 27/03/2023 15:43

No it wasn’t.

So this is Huddersfield grammar. The type of school is independent school

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I didn't go to that one. I went to an independent grammar school. The state paid the fees

MajorCarolDanvers · 27/03/2023 16:40

Very interesting thread.

We don't have grammar schools in Scotland or 11plus so whilst I heard of these things I don't have a clue how they work.

We have :

  • State schools (non denominational or catholic) all non selective with places allocated by geography
  • Private fee paying - set their own rules

That's it.

Nonameoclue · 27/03/2023 16:41

Fladdermus · 27/03/2023 16:39

I didn't go to that one. I went to an independent grammar school. The state paid the fees

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That was probably a direct grant school. Free places were given by local authorities. As I mentioned above, Haberdashers girls school was one of these & then became private when they abolished direct grant.

BlackberrySky · 27/03/2023 16:43

I get why people find it confusing. Some private schools have "Grammar" in their name, like Manchester Grammar School.

coldmarchmorn · 27/03/2023 16:43

Villssev · 27/03/2023 15:46

There is not ONE definition of a grammer school that includes fee paying schools

There is a definition of Grammar schools that includes fee paying schools though

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 27/03/2023 16:44

coldmarchmorn · 27/03/2023 16:43

There is a definition of Grammar schools that includes fee paying schools though

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Link?

Ginmonkeyagain · 27/03/2023 16:44

Just to confuse things you also get voluntary aided religious schools, where admissions are not academic but they are slelctive - usally on religion. Mr Monkey went to a Jesuit school, his parents didn't have to pay but apparently there needed to be references from the family priest etc..

RobertNotBob · 27/03/2023 16:45

It's a school for people who can't spell grammar (sorry, couldn't resist, probably should have)

janefondofu · 27/03/2023 16:45

This reply has been deleted

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

This is really rude for literally no reason.

Bluebonnie · 27/03/2023 16:47

Sutton Grammar School

Original poster
BlackBarbies · 27/03/2023 16:47

😂😂 just realised that I’ve literally been spelling grammar as grammer all this time. Whoops! You can tell that I wouldn’t have made it into one🫣

OP posts:
OhVicIveFallen · 27/03/2023 16:47

mathanxiety · 27/03/2023 16:28

I don't think the replies asking how the OP doesn't know are out of place. It's essentially like saying you don't know how your country works.

Don't be a tit. I've reported your comment.

Jackiebrambles · 27/03/2023 16:47

Some really rude snarky responses on here. They obviously didn’t teach manners or humility in your grammar schools!

Nonameoclue · 27/03/2023 16:47

It is rude, but it would be easier to Google it if spelt correctly.

OhVicIveFallen · 27/03/2023 16:48

janefondofu · 27/03/2023 16:45

This is really rude for literally no reason.

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I know I reported this poster.

Original poster
BlackBarbies · 27/03/2023 16:48

slamfightbrightlight · 27/03/2023 16:37

Maybe your mistake was saying SW London rather than South London OP 😁

What do you mean?😬

OP posts:
NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 27/03/2023 16:49

MajorCarolDanvers · 27/03/2023 16:40

Very interesting thread.

We don't have grammar schools in Scotland or 11plus so whilst I heard of these things I don't have a clue how they work.

We have :

  • State schools (non denominational or catholic) all non selective with places allocated by geography
  • Private fee paying - set their own rules

That's it.

We did used to have them in Scotland though @MajorCarolDanvers, except they weren’t called “grammar schools” I don’t think. I know because my parents went to “The High School” which was the selective state one and my best friend’s Mum went to the “Secondary Modern”, which was for the less academic children.

That was in the sixties. By the time I went to school in the same town in the 80s it was all comprehensive.

slamfightbrightlight · 27/03/2023 16:50

Nonameoclue · 27/03/2023 16:47

It is rude, but it would be easier to Google it if spelt correctly.

It would make no difference whatsoever because Google would quietly recognise the error and provide search results for “grammar” school.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 27/03/2023 16:51

Nonameoclue · 27/03/2023 16:47

It is rude, but it would be easier to Google it if spelt correctly.

Does the search engine you use not suggest likely search terms if it thinks you have mis-spelled something? That’s funny, mine has been doing it for years.

slamfightbrightlight · 27/03/2023 16:52

BlackBarbies · 27/03/2023 16:48

What do you mean?😬

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I think some people might have assumed when you said SW London that you were over Sutton/Kingston way, which has prompted some of the snarkier responses!

coldmarchmorn · 27/03/2023 16:53

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 27/03/2023 16:44

Link?

Show quote history

Sligo Grammar, Drogheda Grammar, Bandon Grammar, Dundalk Grammar. All grammar schools, all fee paying.

Sammysees · 27/03/2023 16:53

I’ve just gone down a rabbit hole. We have 7 Grammar schools in our county and 26 (!!!) private schools! I knew about the 4 Grammars in my city but thought there were so many more around the country.

abandonhope · 27/03/2023 16:53

In Scotland most of the schools with Academy in the name were originally selective. As a pp said, they became comprehensive in the sixties and early seventies.
They bear no relation to the academy system that exists in England now.

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