Free Grammar School entry doing CEM Test

[Honeybu]

Is this possible to have free entry to grammar school by just doing the CEM or other test? From your experience what are the criteria to enter if you can’t afford the payment?

Are you meaning state or private grammar schools? Each school or local authority operates its own selection process which is published on its website.

@Honeybu I think we need a bit more information.....

HI @CurlewKate and @LIZS please I’m new to this so please can you explain both state and private criteria requirements for entry. My daughter age 7 is really good with maths and English and loves education in all sort but I can’t afford to pay for independent ( private grammar school).

People might be able to help more if you give an indication as to where you are - what county or borough. In my nearest boroughs and county I'm not aware of any private grammar schools. I know they exist elsewhere. The grammar schools where I am are state schools so no fees to pay. Just the 11 plus exam for that area. In some areas you have a local authority test and in others you have tests for individual schools.

Some areas of England like Kent, Essex et al have selective state schools (grammar) for which you take an exam at beginning of year 6. Some have more than one round of exams and results are published before half term. If you "pass" you can list the school/s on the LA secondary school application form at end of October for entry the next September but no guarantee of a place until the admissions are processed in March, and distance maybe a deciding factor if there are more who "pass" than places available. You may need to register to take the test during year 5. Most of England is non selective.

Private (fee paying) schools each run their own selection process of exams and interviews often between November and January of year 6 and offer places on that basis. You might be able to apply for a bursary if you meet the low income and savings criteria but no guarantee, you could apply for one but still only receive a full fee offer (fees will be on their website but typically 12k upwards). Some of these are called "grammar" schools as a legacy from going private when state education moved away from selection.

Hi I’m in Derby so near that area. Thanks for your help

Don't think it is a state 11+ area.

If you are in a comprehensive school area, then all the high achieving children will be catered for in comprehensives. Your daughter will be in top sets, and with other children of similar ability, in a state school.

If you are thinking of Derby Grammar it is independent and fee paying.

It's easy to get the impression on Mumsnet that a bright child must go to a grammar school. However only some parts of the country have state grammar schools, and it's very different in areas that don't.

If the only grammars in your area are independent, then the state comprehensives will be covering the full ability range, and most will be used to catering for very able children. For instance, at DD's school, a whole class (out of six) did further maths GCSE, with 19 of them getting 9 in both maths and further maths. My rule of thumb for looking at schools for a bright child would be "is there a whole set's worth of 8/9 grades in each of the core subjects?" If yes, then there will be a peer group and teachers capable of challenging them.

Hi @Honeybu I’m in Derby (waves). This is not a grammar area so there is no 11-plus and children of all abilities are well catered for at state (free) secondaries which teach a range of abilities.

There are two private schools, Derby Grammar (historically boys) and Derby High School (historically girls). Think they are both now accepting both sexes. Fees around £12k upwards. But state school is fine and what the vast majority use.

Some students from the Derby area go to state grammars - they have a long daily commute from Derby to Sutton Coldfield or Walsall or Birmingham.

If you are really dead set on your DD trying for a state grammar place, you could look at the schools in these areas.

I don't recommend it - the commute is ridiculous - but it is possible. I agree with other posters that advise that, as you are in a non-grammar area, you are likely to find that your local state comprehensive schools will cater very well for their bright students.

Thanks everyone for your input @clary / anyone with experience with their kids, which secondary would you recommend within Derby? the area in Derby is not a problem for me as we planning to move house within 2 years within Derby. Thanks

There's no state grammars in derby. The comprehensives serve all pupils (unlike in grammar areas) Allestree I think used to be good. Duffield used to be where people tried to send kids out of area, I believe it's still good, comes under Derbyshire

Hi @Honeybu there are a number of good secondaries but it does a bit depend on your budget tbh.

Ecclesbourne in Duffield is the best rated and certainly produces very good results year after year with an excellent Progress 8 score. Housing in the village is expensive tho (for that reason obvs). A three bed semi would be £300k+. You need to live in the catchment to get in. Some of Derby - the bit of Allestree across the A6 for example - is also in catchment.

Littleover Community School is another excellent school - housing probs a bit cheaper, Littleover is in the city itself and it's a very diverse student intake as well.

Landau Forte is also good but doesn't have a catchment as such; also it has a longer day and unusual holidays tho this may suit. It's worth a shot on your form but no guarantees.

Other good schools are West Park in Spondon (no sixth form tho) and Woodlands in Allestree - tho Woodlands has a poor Progress 8 compared to other schools in Derby. Chellaston was historically very high achieving but has had a rocky few years. HTH.

At 7 he needs to start a sport / instrument if he hasn’t picked one up. All the grammars in the midlands, state and independant, are so oversubscribed that you won’t get a look in for academics alone unless they score in the top 10% or are borderline but qualify for FSM. There’s often a better chance for a 110% bursary from an independant but you need to show ‘potential’ and that differs according to the school.

Playing piano won’t magically create a state grammar in Derby tho; nor will it magic up £20k or even £15k a year for fees.

@Honeybu you are best off looking at a good state comp in Derby. Plenty of options for your bright boy.

Playing a musical instrument or a sport has absolutely no bearing on state school entry (grammar or otherwise) unless they have selective music or sports places. They can only select according to their admission criteria which will be published on their website.