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Original poster

Anyone else waiting for grammar school results?

51 replies

Dynamix · 07/10/2022 18:25

Just wondering if anyone would like to accompany me on the horrible journey which is waiting for grammar school test results. My DD sat the grammar test a month ago (can't really believe it was that long ago!) and results are due out mid October. There's no specific date given which makes it even more fun Confused

Passing the test would be only our first hurdle as we are not in catchment. Places are allocated to those in catchment and then, if there are places leftover, by distance (not score) after this. I feel that if she at least passes it will do wonders for her self-esteem even if she doesn't make it on distance. We have not pressured her at all and not tutored with an agency, but I went through the materials available from the County online with her so she knew the question types likely to come up. She came out of the exam fairly positive and answered everything on the papers so fingers crossed! This. Is. So. Painful. Though.... Grin

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Original poster
Dynamix · 07/10/2022 18:34

Anyone? Surely I can't be alone....ConfusedGrin

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Missingthesnow2 · 07/10/2022 18:42

Not alone! Happy to join the wait chat. Feels like the longest week/10 days of my life…… and no one else at school (opt in for 11+) seems too fussed 🤷‍♀️ . We are also allocation by distance if you pass, not by score, so yet again that wait for 1st March will feel like an eternity (if we are fortunate to have grammars on the form at that point).

Original poster
Dynamix · 07/10/2022 18:47

Missingthesnow2 · 07/10/2022 18:42

Not alone! Happy to join the wait chat. Feels like the longest week/10 days of my life…… and no one else at school (opt in for 11+) seems too fussed 🤷‍♀️ . We are also allocation by distance if you pass, not by score, so yet again that wait for 1st March will feel like an eternity (if we are fortunate to have grammars on the form at that point).

We are in exactly the same position! I at least feel that if it's a pass then my DD will be happier, even if it doesn't happen on distance. It's so stressful and I didn't anticipate feeling like this at all.

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Original poster
Dynamix · 07/10/2022 18:48

I agree about people in real life not seeming bothered too- that's why I've come here Grin

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Missingthesnow2 · 07/10/2022 19:13

Dynamix · 07/10/2022 18:48

I agree about people in real life not seeming bothered too- that's why I've come here Grin

👍

Tandoorimixedgrill · 08/10/2022 07:12

Yep we are waiting too.

The whole stressful process has really made us reevaluate if this is really what’s the best thing even if she achieves the score.

Original poster
Dynamix · 08/10/2022 08:55

Tandoorimixedgrill · 08/10/2022 07:12

Yep we are waiting too.

The whole stressful process has really made us reevaluate if this is really what’s the best thing even if she achieves the score.

I completely know what you mean- I definitely didn't anticipate it being so stressful. The tests were the first week of September as well here, so why we have to wait 6 weeks for the results is beyond me.

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PaintedNailsAndBraidedHair · 08/10/2022 17:51

@Dynamix 👋 we were in the same boat last year (out of catchment too), just want to say good luck 🤞 and to everyone else waiting for results.
It was definitely the longest wait, and then the wait for March when school allocations came out.

Original poster
Dynamix · 08/10/2022 18:29

PaintedNailsAndBraidedHair · 08/10/2022 17:51

@Dynamix 👋 we were in the same boat last year (out of catchment too), just want to say good luck 🤞 and to everyone else waiting for results.
It was definitely the longest wait, and then the wait for March when school allocations came out.

Thank you! Did you get the result you were hoping for? I'm so aware that a pass still means another wait for March ConfusedGrin

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MKDmumofflash · 08/10/2022 18:37

Yes us too. Waiting on 2 sets (different counties), one real long shot she desperately wants and one 'sensible' one.

Rovinonmars · 08/10/2022 18:48

@tandoorimixedgrill I'm with you on now questioning if it's worth it. My ds sat the exam in September and worked really hard for it, but I'm just not sure if grammar school is going to be too much pressure at such a young age

Original poster
Dynamix · 08/10/2022 19:31

MKDmumofflash · 08/10/2022 18:37

Yes us too. Waiting on 2 sets (different counties), one real long shot she desperately wants and one 'sensible' one.

Gosh- once is bad enough so that must be difficult!

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Original poster
Dynamix · 08/10/2022 19:35

Rovinonmars · 08/10/2022 18:48

@tandoorimixedgrill I'm with you on now questioning if it's worth it. My ds sat the exam in September and worked really hard for it, but I'm just not sure if grammar school is going to be too much pressure at such a young age

It's such an odd feeling. I sort of feel guilt / stress / anticipation all rolled into one. I think if it works out it'll be great but I do question if it was the right thing to do if not. Nothing ventured nothing gained I guess!

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PaintedNailsAndBraidedHair · 08/10/2022 21:08

@Dynamix to our utter shock he did get a place. We had, by then, chosen another school, had visited the school and DS was happy with it, and we were certain that was the school he would get!
Good luck 🤞

Zib · 09/10/2022 12:27

Just coming into this thread from the other side, having put all of my kids through this process (youngest last year)

The pass/fail thing and the painful wait until 1st March (and then the reallocations and waiting list from May onwards) can be a big deal but you do get to make your own weather on this, and decide whether it dominates Y6 or not.

The grammar schools are just schools, and my friends dc who ended up in the top sets at comp have not had a hugely different school experience to my dc. I haven't felt that the grammars have been 'high pressure' although ds2 is at a boys' grammar where they did seem to be giving them a collective kick-up-the-backside-you're-in-ks4 now when they got into Y10.

The thing I'm glad I did was to make sure the dc saw a bunch of schools that they'd be happy with, including non-selectives, to make it a bit less high-stakes.

Having said that I do empathise with posters waiting for the October results, and don't tell yourselves you'll stop worrying as there's usually some uncertainty until March 1 or even beyond.

MKDmumofflash · 09/10/2022 12:34

Dynamix · 08/10/2022 19:31

Gosh- once is bad enough so that must be difficult!

Show quote history

@Dynamix I know. Its not too bad at the moment. I think she's forgotten when the results are coming out and has reverted to normal life again.

We're not in a full grammar area so are still doing the school open evenings, unfortunately our local option isn't good so we've cast the net quite widely.

Original poster
Dynamix · 09/10/2022 12:55

Zib · 09/10/2022 12:27

Just coming into this thread from the other side, having put all of my kids through this process (youngest last year)

The pass/fail thing and the painful wait until 1st March (and then the reallocations and waiting list from May onwards) can be a big deal but you do get to make your own weather on this, and decide whether it dominates Y6 or not.

The grammar schools are just schools, and my friends dc who ended up in the top sets at comp have not had a hugely different school experience to my dc. I haven't felt that the grammars have been 'high pressure' although ds2 is at a boys' grammar where they did seem to be giving them a collective kick-up-the-backside-you're-in-ks4 now when they got into Y10.

The thing I'm glad I did was to make sure the dc saw a bunch of schools that they'd be happy with, including non-selectives, to make it a bit less high-stakes.

Having said that I do empathise with posters waiting for the October results, and don't tell yourselves you'll stop worrying as there's usually some uncertainty until March 1 or even beyond.

That's very true and I definitely thought I wouldn't get as emotionally sucked into it all as I have (I have hidden this from my DD who is pretty relaxed about the whole thing)!

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FairlyIncognito · 09/10/2022 16:53

We applied last minute for ours last week when saw there were a few late places still available - so because there was a smaller number of applicants than the main intake we heard within days .
DS did get in (I think 3 out of the 12 boys did) and I don’t think I would have found it an easy process if we’d put a lot into it or if a lot was riding on it but as it was we hadn’t prepared DS and also we were clear it was just worth a go. For those who don’t get in I do think there are also advantages to being bright in a less selective environment - as I went to a very academic school and never felt very clever compared to everyone else when I Should have had better confidence in myself really .
i’ll be nervous how DS gets on to start as he’s quite relaxed about work

ElvenDreamer · 09/10/2022 16:56

Hi, there's quite an active 11+ wait support group in secondary education at the moment, feel free to pop on over there, but yes, short story is you are not alone @Dynamix , lots of us anxiously waiting!

Littlemissprosecco · 09/10/2022 16:58

Even if she passes, please do your utmost to ensure you send her to the right school for her.

Original poster
Dynamix · 09/10/2022 17:00

FairlyIncognito · 09/10/2022 16:53

We applied last minute for ours last week when saw there were a few late places still available - so because there was a smaller number of applicants than the main intake we heard within days .
DS did get in (I think 3 out of the 12 boys did) and I don’t think I would have found it an easy process if we’d put a lot into it or if a lot was riding on it but as it was we hadn’t prepared DS and also we were clear it was just worth a go. For those who don’t get in I do think there are also advantages to being bright in a less selective environment - as I went to a very academic school and never felt very clever compared to everyone else when I Should have had better confidence in myself really .
i’ll be nervous how DS gets on to start as he’s quite relaxed about work

That's amazing! Congratulations to your DS. I didn't even know that could happen in some grammar areas. I think our area always has loads sitting for the tests, but it does have a catchment so isn't super selective.

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Original poster
Dynamix · 09/10/2022 17:00

ElvenDreamer · 09/10/2022 16:56

Hi, there's quite an active 11+ wait support group in secondary education at the moment, feel free to pop on over there, but yes, short story is you are not alone @Dynamix , lots of us anxiously waiting!

Oooh... thank you. I hadn't realised that. I'll go and check it out.

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Littlemissprosecco · 09/10/2022 17:02

I had three children go through the 11+ and go to grammar school. In hindsight it was the right decision for one, ok for the second, and a complete disaster for the second DD! It’s not solely about the academics. It’s pastoral care, ethos, cultural demographics, family ethos and that’s not forgetting the practical aspects of travel and where their friendship groups will be based

Original poster
Dynamix · 09/10/2022 17:09

Littlemissprosecco · 09/10/2022 17:02

I had three children go through the 11+ and go to grammar school. In hindsight it was the right decision for one, ok for the second, and a complete disaster for the second DD! It’s not solely about the academics. It’s pastoral care, ethos, cultural demographics, family ethos and that’s not forgetting the practical aspects of travel and where their friendship groups will be based

Thank you for your input. The needs of individual children is definitely something to bear in mind. Having looked round all the schools the grammar definitely seems the best option for our DD, but the comp in a nearby town (similar distance but the other way) also was very good, so it's just our / her preference really.

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xyzandabc · 09/10/2022 17:10

Another here. Also not in catchment. But siblings come above catchment and we have 2 at the grammar already so if dc3 passes, the will almost definitely get a place at the grammar.

However, on the flip side if they don't pass, it's going to be hideous as the 2 older ones did and dc3 already has low self esteem and says he's rubbish at everything, even when the exact opposite is true. He's the brightest of the 3 but who knows what he wrote on that paper on the day. Such a lottery.