Tutoring/entrance exams etc

[sykes]

Why has there been such a rise in tutoring to help children gain grammar or independent school places? When I was at school, admittedly a rather long time ago, I took grammar exam, passed, as did sister and both of us went on to really good universities. I do realise there were more grammar schools around then. But there now seems a fixation on tutoring, even (or perhaps especially)within independent schools (pushed by parents) to ensure children get into the parents' first choice of school. I can just about understand a state-educated child being tutored for independent/grammar schools as privately-educated children do have a head start on exam prepping. But am rather puzzled as to why independently-educated children need it. Surely, if it's so key to gaining a place, they'll struggle when at the school. Or am I missing something? Or is it just where I live?

Any thoughts or is it just too dull?

I should imagine that when once one child is tutored they all start as the test is really a competition for places. The eleven plus is different from the entrance exams for independent secondaries.
Quite a few do struggle when they get to grammar school and still need the tutors to keep up with the work (a friend tutors maths and science and most of the students are from local grammar school) Some parents want the grammar school place even if the child shouldn't be there as it is away from the oiks at the local comp.
Glad I have not had to make that decision on eleven plus for dc's

Don't understand.

Problem is that kids who need to be excessively tutored for these tests often struggle if they pass and go to grammar school. Suppose it depends what local comps are like.

Competition as there are say 100 places at grammar school so top 100 in test get in, the child who is 101st may be very bright but not get in because the first 100 have been tutored or have been to prep school and used to working to exam conditions.
We are just lucky to be in catchment area of a decent comp.