to think that the 11plus forum is the scariest forum in the world!

[stillenacht]

anyone agree??

The plan was to close them all and make all state education comprehensive. It only happened in some areas. Bit of a shambles wasn't it. Either close them all or make every area the same. FWIW it was only by discovering mumsnet that I realised they still existed. This was when DD was in year 7 so fat lot of notice I took. However, the nearest one to us is 40 miles away!

Undoubtedly there are a few obsessives on the 11+ forum, but then again if all you did at MN was dip into the occasional AIBU thread, you might think it was a pretty weird place too.

In fact, the 11+ forum is full of useful, friendly advice, particularly if you find yourself in a grammar school area for whatever reason (as we did) without having the faintest idea about the 11+. For example, did you know that even those counties which still have grammar schools all set their own tests? The number of papers varies, as does when you sit them, when you get the results, how to apply to different schools (whether grammar or not), whether they have catchment areas or priority for siblings and so on.

There?s also tons of advice on how to appeal against over-subscription, not getting into your first-choice school, SEN appeals and GCSE options ? all, as it happens, the subject of numerous threads in the ?Education? section of MN!

I?m with those who think the grammar school system no longer serves the purpose it was set up for, and is being exploited by well-informed, middle-class parents who previously would most probably have sent their darling DCs to private schools. But that is the fault of the system, not of a free forum which has no agenda other than to inform people.

Lol, Ed, not at all, but as I say it can be pretty daunting when you find yourself in a situation that you know nothing about ? DCs went to their local nursery and then their local primary school, we had no idea that people were having their children tutored for these exams.

It?s not a forum you keep re-visiting, IMHO, not like MN , because it?s only relevant for a very small period of time but it was a life-saver at that time.

Blimey can't believe how this thread has taken off!! I am a GS teacher btw! I find that forum so unbelievably scary. The parents on there clammering and scratching their childrens way to the top. Yes I have just moved my son out of a state primary to an independent and yes I am bitter that we are having to fork out shed loads for an equivalent education to the one I deliver to my charges. Even still, that forum is mighty scary!

agree with hardys too about results - I have seen many shocking results from children who were pushed through tutoring and the like and really were in the wrong environment - more each year actually (have been working in various GSs for 14 years now).

I really do find it scary ..if only they could see their precious ones whilst they are screaming at each other in the corridors, being spoonfed at every turn....and I am talking about 6th formers!

Ed - sorry for my thickness but I haven't got a scooby what you are talking about!

Stillenacht- my DS1 wasn't doing all that well academically at school .He did a couple of practice papers in the few weeks before the 11+ ,in our area it is just verbal & non verbal reasoning- but no coaching.He passed.The first couple of years at GS he was behind the other children ,but now he's in the 4th year ( they are too traditional to call it Y10) he is near the top of his set in most subjects.So I would say the 11+ can pick out children who are not necessarily academically achieving but have academic potential, which is what it says on the tin.

Stillenacht, it is interesting that you consider the GS education to be equivalent to an independent school education. DS goes to a grammar school and while it provides a good academic education, it doesn't have any of the facilities that I would expect an independent school to have. Our comprehensives have better provision for art, music, dance and drama, and I will probably send DD to a comprehensive school because she will benefit from the wider provision. I really don't think grammar schools are the best option for all children, or even for all children who are very capable at academic subjects.

I am going over there now for a nose around.

which is the best bit of their forum to poke around in?

This bit from 'Tipsey' made me laugh:

"Well it wouldn't be a Labour government if they didn't gravitate towards the lowest common denominator. Our taxes are going on these spin doctors that come up with this garbage. Well educated Brown would sneer at these sights if he were in any other profession."

Hmmmmm

right, i have had a look, so will venture back into Everything Else' and if i am feeling particularly naughty i may enrol and see how long i last before they kick me off!

Actually, they are probably reading this and will eye any newcomers with utmost suspicion.

OMFG - they have even linked to this very thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A grammar school education is only suited to very academic DCs-most DCs are average-even on the 11+forum (I would imagine).

Pisces - for the first time I think I'm going to disagree with you! My dd is by no meansvery academic, and, actually only scraped through her 11&divid;. And she is doing fine - more than fine - at grammar school. That's one of the things that make me cross - children like my dd,middle class, reaosnably affluent with lots of family support, a house full of books and brought up to be thoughtful and questioning has got a place at grammar school which was intended, by the originators of the system, for a very bright child from a disadvantaged background to give them a step up out of disadvantage. The system stinks.

And MillyR, ofcourse independent schools have better facititites - people are paying through the nose for them!!!!!!

still alive and made my first post on the mn bit. just as a tester.

What's scary about it is the general assumptions that are made by many of the posters; that only grammar school will do, that you need a professional tutor, that if you are not signed up with the tutor by Yr 1 you don't stand a chance, that if you share any information or tips then you are giving away an advantage....

But I did find really useful info from the site about exactly what was required for the exam and the most relevant preparation, so DD and I got through it together on our own (successfully!). If you don't go to a tutor and you don't know anyone who's been through the 11+ process, it's actually quite hard to find out this sort of stuff, so I'm still grateful.