Grammer Schools by CAT assesment

[FlyingHigh55]

Dc has just had her cat assessment in school and has scored quite well ( average 124) and we are looking for a grammer school to aim for. There two nearest to us are over an hour away and do not suit us for various other reasons.

Some private schools indicate what their average cat score is. Do grammer schools do the same? It's there a list I can see.

Grammar schools have catchments usually - whereabouts are you?

We are planning to move for the grammer school as none is near us.

GrammAr!!
I think you'll need to look on the school websites, our local one only gives the pass mark requirement for their entrance exam.

If you're looking at Bucks Grammar schools, you'll need to be careful of the timing of any move. They have strict requirements for when you have to be in catchment.

What kind of Grammar School? some are super selective and harder to get a place than others.

There is a lot of information about grammar schools on the elevenplusexams forum https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/ Some grammar schools have catchments, some do not, some go by score, some have priority areas, some give pupil premium places for lower scores etc. It is hugely varied.

Depending on the type of grammar school and their entrance requirements there may be just a 'pass' or there may be a score that will vary every year depending on number of applicants etc. Who gains a place is often on a bell curve comparing all the sitters of the test rather than directly related to something like a CAT score.

It’s grammar. Not grammer.

You need to think very carefully about timing your move, catchments and what are your options if she doesn't pass. Honestly? I think it's a non starter.

Not all grammar schools even do CATs, and I've never seen any grammar advertise what sort of CAT score they do.

As far as I know, my daughter (Y9 at a super-selective grammar) has never done CATs in primary or secondary.

What year is your DD in? Many grammars require you to be living in the area for a certain amount of time before starting at grammar - some even a year before applying for a place.

Hi All, I'm literally asking about if grammar schools have some sort of LIST to see grading/ cat scores etc where you can see the difficulty rating to get in / Abilities of pupils within the schools.

I will sort catchment / placements etc.

No they don't. Selection is by test and each grammar area has its own tests. Start by looking at the 11 + exams website and forum. Entry to grammar schools is usually very competitive, especially for the super selectives. The majority of people tutor for a specific grammar school test so it's important to know which area you are thinking of as the tests are different in different areas.

Hi I don't need CATs per se just an understanding of where DC should aim for. No point going for the Henrietta Barnetts of this world, ie schools who are extremely selective and prob only accept the very best of the best academically.

I would also recommend sitting a mock grammar school test. For example, Sutton Grammar schools PTA run a large one each year around February (you have to be quick to sign up as it sells out fast). The test results will give you an indication of where the child sits in the cohort. I think Wallington, Wilson's and others around the Uk do this too.

Agree to disagree 😀

Oh great thank you. I didn't know you could do that I will check. This is for next year, ( because we will have to move we are planning week ahead) but I will check dates etc.

We just want to understand where DD fits in academically really
Don't want to push for something she's not suited to or put to much pressure. School is being rather unhelpful, and I don't really understand the options.

124 is a good level. My dc were at 138-141 across the board and were selective for London super selectives plus top independents. Dc were tutored for the CEM and GL tests (test providers at the time) and had extra English tuition for the independent school second round papers.

Competition is fierce in London if that is where you are based However there are areas like Bucks and Kent where approx the top 25% are deemed selective and then it comes down to catchments.

This is for next year, ( because we will have to move we are planning week ahead) but I will check dates etc.

When you say next year do you mean sitting tests next year or entrance? Entrance tests and applications for 2025 entry have already taken place. For 2026 entrance test registration sometimes closes by about late spring or early summer with some having tests in July but most are in September. You get test results usually before CAF submission deadline but for the superselectives you won’t know for certain until offer day in March and even then it can take months if on a waiting list.

My daughter thrived in her grammar school but it was close to us and no move required. It is a lot of pressure to put on a child to move with the aim for a particular selective school.

I'm under impression that 124 is not high at all for London selective schools, both private and grammAr

@nearlylovemyusername I’m of a similar impression that 120 average will be very common amongst the London crowd, Thomas's, Newton Prep etc.and depending on competition just outside of London grammars.
@FlyingHigh55 you might find this older thread interesting https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/secondary/4820558-atom-learningstandardised-results-cat4-sas#:~:text=Atom%20seemed%2C%20nearer%20the%20test,VR%20so%20focus%20on%20that.
with an average of 123 I’d be advocating for some technique prep. As for schools/area to consider make sure there is a good state option as well, the effect of grammar schools sometimes means the other nearby schools lack the cohort that got into the grammars.

@FlyingHigh55 "Agree to disagree "

Fair enough. Just remember the system is complex and there is plenty of knowledge on tap on this forum.

We are in Devon, so will probably move "nearer" to London so kind of deciding where. London is too expensive and too big a city for me to live so we are open to the home counties ( expensive too I know ) also open to moving further out/ north.

There's a lot of pressure in London schools I think she would thrive in that environment, but I wouldn't. 😱

We will also use a tutor for the 11+, so far there has been no extra tutoring etc.

It's a big decision so trying to be realistic

There are grammars in Devon. Torquay, Colyton, Churston (from memory, it's a long time since I lived there).

124 is no guarantee for the super selectives. Kent or Essex might be affordable and give you the best range of schools.

Oh yes that's brill, Atom seems to be on the ball. There's a lot to read on the posts I will start going through it. Thank you 😀

The 'pass' mark for Bucks grammars - which are not super-selective - is 121 so 124 would qualify your DD but not by a massive margin. Also please note that CAT scores do not translate directly into 11+ scores - they tend.to be reasonably.similar but not identical so it's a rough guide rather than anything more definitive.