Please explain these NFER scores for me and how to think for secondary school

[AboutToGiveUpAlready]

So... Not being British and not understanding why the educational system is so complicated, I am about to give up before the process even has started. :(

DS is in Yr 4 so I've started to think about secondary school. I have had DS assessed as I hoped that that would made things clearer but it hasn't. Rather the other way around.

Financially, any kind of school is an option but I will, of course, look at a school that matches DS's personality.

I assumed that DS is underachieving (he is coasting) at school but looking at his VR and non-VR score, do I at all consider any kind of selective school? I really don't want to push DS for something that is highly unlikely. DS has the right to be a child, IMHO.

DS had never sat these kinds of tests and got an NVR score of 123 (2 errors) and a VR score "too high to score" (ie 100%). At first it looks good but the feedback is that it is "only" borderline for selective schools. So do I put DS through the ordeal of preparing and sit for 11 plus or do I just let him enjoy being a child? The local state school is not a bad option in my opinion.

I'm very, very confused. What would you do in my position and why?

I think for grammar schools that take 25% plus, 120 and above is a good indication of academic potential. For the super selectives you're probably looking at 130+.

@MrsPatmore Thank you for your input.

Unfortunately we're in London so it's not any 25%. I was just surprised that 2 errors for someone who's never seen these kind of papers before and who, unfortunately rushed through things (needs to work on that if we go down that route) in less than half the time, should be dismissed as having potential at this stage. I can't help but think that if DS had done it in the morning rather than the afternoon, and not after a long week (extraordinary long for various reasons), it might have been just 1 error and then the score would have been totally different (which baffles me!). On the other hand I'm thinking that this was the worst circumstances so maybe a more "accurate" score?

I'd rather get realistic now than have DS go through the preparations for 11+! Maybe staying in the standrard state system would best for DS. And our finances. I really wish this to be over.

@HunkyDory69 Thank you so much for your input! ⚘ I really wish the system was easier to get. All I want is for DS to be in an environment where he's happy with both the education and friends.

Friendly piece of advice: make sure you have plenty of backups in place. We were told our DS2 had scores of 120-130; VR 127 apparently. He failed to get an offer for any of the 4 schools he sat for - all so-called "realistic' or "fall-back" options. He didn't get offers from KGS, Reed's, St George's (Sod them - they don't deserve him )

Not wanting to scare anyone, just want to make sure you all put an even safer back-up on your lists!

@Dontblameitontheboogie I hear you! We are lucky to have a decent local comprehensive for which we should be in the catchment for unless things change dramatically (which would also mean that most other children in DS's cohort would be even worse off). This could well be our first option (as I'm already tired of this malarkey) but in any case will always be an option for us.

What did you do in the end?

(If ever got the chance to design an educational system, I know how it wouldn't look like).