Who saw BBC 2 Grammar schools - who will get in " last night?

[Foxy333]

Watched this last night with interest. We're not in Grammar school area and generally I think it was / is a bad system that works for the top abilities but not for the middle and lower ones. However I've seen my daughter suffer in years 7 to 9 or a comprehensive from not being stretched and teachers concentrating on the most demanding pupils who need lots of help and ignoring the quiet well- behaved pupils who going to pass GCSE's anyway. Often some pupils disrupt the class and the whole class gets punished.

They only set them for 2 subjects and I've heard that's changing in future to one. so I see why a Grammar would suit some. But why cant all schools be good. Is it stricter discipline that's needed?

Felt for the children in the program, so young to face this divisive test.

I have no experience of a secondary modern so I can't comment

Strange that you are massive supporter of the grammar system then. You are aware that the Grammar System operates as a two tier system in fully selective areas i.e. Grammars and secondary moderns (or what ever name is given to the non-selectives in the area).

I went to a mediocre comp, then to a v good church school 6th form, and then to Cambridge.

But I'm not sure I would have passed the 11plus. And being labelled a failure at 11 would probably have ruined any chance for me going to Cambridge or probably any uni. And that is how it's viewed; I went to a 6th form open evening with DS1 for one of the Bexley borough grammars, where it was made clear if you'd previously failed the 11plus, you probably wouldn't get a place at 6th form...

I think if the kids are bright enough to pass then they should either be in a grammar or in a top set of a comprehensive

A grammar system has no comprehensives.

In a selective area like Bexley, top set in a non selective school isn't all high achievers.

In DS1s top set maths class, less than 5 kids (out of year of 180ish) got a B or above at GCSE. Not all were even entered for the higher paper.

That's the reality of life at a non selective.

I think there should either be a grammar system

But you have stated you know nothing about secondary moderns so why do you think the majority of DCs should go to one - which is what happens with the Grammar system?

I have no experience of a secondary modern so I can't comment"

So how can you be a massive supporter of the grammar system then?

Grammar schools condemn all kids who don't pass to a second class education.

I can't see how anyone thinks that's fair.

I think the bright kids who are capable of passing the 11plus should either be in a grammar

Do you think that all DCs that are capable of passing the 11 plus do pass the 11 plus?

Why do you think some DCs sit the 11 plus in three or four different areas (in some cases more)?

@TimeToDash
to get a chance of a place at our local grammar schools we've just signed up our youngest in lessons in year 3

Please don't do that! Half way through year 4 or even year 5 is plenty. Grammars and other selective schools are miserable places for the over-tutored who needs 3 years of prep to get in.
If he/she can get in with a year's prep, they're in the right place.

I can tell you that the alternative to grammar were pretty shit for both my kids.

But I'm sure one of the grammar parents like green will tell me that because my kids couldn't pass a selection test, that doesn't matter. Because they're too thick to deserve a decent education

"Because it was absolutely brilliant for my kids"
So fuck everyone else.
Nice, as they say.

It's a horribly divisive system ( both dcs passed the 11+, one at SS grammar school and thriving, one in year6 but going to Grammar in September).

You really don't get it do you green.

Green, can you appreciate that whilst grammar schools have served your children well, they are inherently unfair and perpetuate a 2 tier system of education? For haves and have nots effectively.

Think of it this way. Your kids have had a great education, Latin, Japanese or whatever lessons. Done 13 or more Gcses. All that stuff. If one or both had failed the 11plus and gone to my DSs school, where even in top set not all kids got a GCSE pass, let alone an A, no fancy subjects, 8 GCSEs max at the end of it, they would have had an entirely different educational experience. All based on a test they sat aged 10.

How can you or any of the grammar supporters agree with schools differing so wildly in terms of what they have to offer? In non grammar areas the differences in schools is far less apparent.

DS1 failed his 11+. He went on to do extremely well at his high school. He then went to 6th form at the local grammar.

He was shocked at how much better the teaching was at grammar.

After the first year of A levels, many of the students who had attended grammar for their GCSEs dropped out/were asked to leave as their grades were so poor.