Fee-paying grammar: Year 3, Year 5 or Year 7?

[SpeciesOfSpaces]

Hello,

The local state school is Ofsted inadequate (only other option is Catholic, which we won’t get), but there is a great fee-paying grammar with Junior school. We can afford it from Year 5 (when they take a handful) or Year 7. We could stretch for Year 3 entry, when they take a lot and it’s less stressful to get in. But I’m torn because the primary DC is at is very good and in a way it’s a waste at that age. On the other hand, it might be better to avoid the entrance stress and uncertainty and just bite the bullet in Year 3. DC I’m told is very bright, but sensitive so who knows.... I have no experience of the private/grammar route. DC would be the first in our family to do it. Any thoughts/experiences would be really welcome!

If you join in Y3 or 5 are you guaranteed a Y7 place? If so it might be worth considering but we stuck with our excellent State Primary before a Private Secondary and it was the right decision for us.

DS goes to a private school that is both Primary and Secondary. Y6 pupils took the same entrance exam as the children joining from other schools to get into Y7

I think they take half from the junior school and half from external candidates in Y7.

@ineedaholidaynow

DS goes to a private school that is both Primary and Secondary. Y6 pupils took the same entrance exam as the children joining from other schools to get into Y7

Same at ours but the Y7 places were allocated to the Y6s who wanted them first and then to other applicants.

What's a fee paying grammar school? We have grammar / state or fee paying?

I guess I just mean a selective independent!

Also even though DS had to take the entrance exam for his school, it is a non-selective school so the results weren’t the determining factor for being accepted at the school, they were just to give the school an idea of their academic level. Not all private schools are selective.

@SpeciesOfSpaces

I guess I just mean a selective independent!

Ah ok:)

How big is the intake in Y7 overall? Are they oversubscribed?

What would you do if he didn't get a place at y7 entry? Are there any non selective indies?

Take the entrance test for yr three and see if he comes back as an easy in or with any areas of concern. Then you know where you are with his likelihood of getting in in yr five.

Also ask them how competitive it is at each stage.

Thanks! That all sounds sensible.

Agree - I would start at the very beginning and see how your DC does at y3. Ours is automatic admission if they attend junior from y5 but it's just as competitive intake at y5. We decided to take the leap from preschool to ensure they're fully settled.

Hi OP, I think it might be helpful to clarify that you are talking about a private school rather than a state grammar (which start in Y7). My understanding from your post is that you have concerns about the state secondary school and are therefore thinking about moving your DC to private in y3? I’m a great believer that smart kids with supportive parents will do well in state primary but if you have concerns about your child’s ability and/or you can easily afford private then go for it. Good luck with your decision.

She says it’s a selective independent with junior school further down.

Yes that's the same as ours but it's 3-18. It's selective all the way through but the 11+ is fiercely competitive with half coming from other schools (across a wide region) and the rest from junior so like PP have said, I would start as early as possible to check it's the right school for your DC.

It is best to start slightly earlier, yr 3 at the latest.

The school will get to know your child and make sure they are fully prepped for the entrance exam. Any scholarships seem to also be awarded to those already at the private schools I’ve seen.

I think the use of the word grammar has confided people. I’m thinking if they enter at p3 or p5 then there is no exam at P7? Is that right OP?

Sorry, yr3, yr5 etc. we are in Scotland so it’s habit.

Yes, sorry. Same as igglepiggle: it’s a private school, 3-18, selective at 11+ but half come from within the school so much easier to transition/get in. I don’t have concerns about my child’s ability, but I know that other parents go down the tutor mill/ high-areas preparation route for that later entry, so that might be something to avoid!

I’m tending towards staying put at state primary until 11+ when all DC’s friends will be moving on. It’s also a lot cheaper and the state primary is great.

@SpeciesOfSpaces

I’m tending towards staying put at state primary until 11+ when all DC’s friends will be moving on. It’s also a lot cheaper and the state primary is great.

If the primary is excellent and there are good tutoring options - sounds great. I think if our DC were already in the primary school we'd think differently but we've started at the beginning. You might find that some of their friends think similarly and move at y3 and y5 too.... do you have more than one child? This was our turning point too that if one didn't get in and the other did hence the insurance policy of starting early.