Oh I do hate the 11+

[LemonWeb]

The grammar schools are lovely in my area. Lovely schools, excellent results, lots of contented children doing all sorts of art and sport and drama and little disruptive behaviour.

So we let the dc do the 11+. DC3 doing hers this morning as I write this. And the same feeling this time as twice before: I see all these lovely kids being taken up to the school gates by their mums or dads, and I know that most won’t end up at that school. It’s just such a horrible high-stakes thing for children this young, and I know that most of the kids queuing up will have spent some time doing practice and tutoring and the test will have been hanging over them all summer.

I feel so conflicted on this: my elder two are both at selective schools and having a blast, and dc3 wanted to go to the lovely girls’ grammar with the excellent art department so I have let her take the test, but I really wish we didn’t live in a grammar area: it just feels like so much pressure for 10-year-olds, and most of them will come out of the process without a grammar place. I worry that if dc doesn’t pass, she’ll feel a sense of failure whatever I say.

I don’t know what a better system would be other than fully comprehensive and excellent schools everywhere.

Late to this thread as have been away, but I'd like to just add that RumblyMumbly has provided some of the best, must succinct explanations I have ever seen about the nature of the system, what is wrong with it and why non-GS schools in a GS area can never be truly comprehensive.

FWIW, I had one child at GS, one at secondary modern. Was told that latter child would never achieve academically – they are is currently finishing a highly academic STEM Masters at a world-leading university.

It''s still a rubbish system though.

I grew up in a European country. We were observed by our primary school teachers over many years and across many informal tests and then recommended for selective secondary schooling. That is a much better system.

@thing47 thanks for your positive response, sometimes you wonder why you post on these forums so its nice to hear that what I posted resonated with someone. I do feel strongly that it's an unfair system and that education needs massive investment (bottom up) to improve educational outcomes and experiences for all children. Unfortunately, I think Covid will have exacerbated the gaps for current pupils.

Grammar is decisive and socially selective and I say that with mine at superselectives. I understand from my DD that her class environment is a genuinely a great place for learning, the girls are ambitious and disruption is minimal. There are few detentions and very few absences. I think my DD would do just as well elsewhere but her experience wouldn't be so idyllic. I think if she wasn't grammar material I would have paid for independent or bought a house in catchment of a top comp. I know I am extremely privileged and major do not have those choices. I don't know what the answer is but a one size fits all isn't the answer either. Some kids simple don't suit school and would be much better off going to different skill based, sports or performing arts schools at an earlier age.