grammar/sats

[skybluepearl]

Not sure what level Sats grammar school children tend to have? Not sure if step daughter would struggle at a grammar school? Surely it's better to be top of comp than bottom of a Grammar? SD has always been just above average - but not strides ahead. Year 5 sats level was 4a.

Depends on the grammar school. I teach in a grammar area where the top 20% go to grammar and the levels can vary widely. Of the 5 boys going this year ( out of 10 in my class) all bar one have level 5's for science, reading and maths, one has level5 for writing too, the other 3 have 4a's. However one boy is going with level 4b for reading and writing and a 3a for maths. He was seriously coached and will struggle.
In some grammar areas which take the top few percent I would imagine straight level 5's are the norm ( although the majority will be heavily tutored too)

I teach in a grammar area, too. I would say that children with level 5s in reading/maths are the norm, though obviously not every child that gets a level 5 will pass their 11+.

Your DSD has a 4a now (is that in everything?) so will most likely be a level 5 by the time she sits the 11+ which is a good start. Is it a super selective area? It sounds like you don't want her to go?

Thanks, thats really interesting. SD in year 5 is mostly 4a's but maths is 4b.

The Grammar has a very good reputation in relation to anything academic and caring. She is quite a tom boy and i wonder how she would feel about an all girl class. I think she would concentrate more - presently she has quite a laugh in class with the boys! She isn't very driven or competative - like me. I have always thought that the bottom of a grammar school must be bad for self esteem but could be wrong. If she is more of a middle or lower middle ability grammar child, i would happily send her.

My DS got Level 5c for Maths in Y5 and we were thinking maybe Grammar but you have to be careful - I was thinking this is a good grade for Yr5 (MNers exceptional achievers aside) but to try him out I gave him one of those practice papers from WHSmith and he scored just over 50%. There are so many areas he just hasn't covered at school, I can do it with him and he'll probably pick it up, but you can't just rely on SAT figures to say she'll get through, it depends on the school too.

i agree - i'm told there is someone who would tutor SD on how to sit exam if we thought it was the way forward.

thinking i should look at some practice papers.

Also depends if the entry test is maths / english - or verbal / non verbal reasoning.

You need to find that out first

I think everyone who went from DD's primary school had level 5s for English, Maths and Science. I think most of them also scored above 120 for CATs. It sounds as though your DD will probably achieve that in year 6 so a Grammar would be a good choice. There are plenty of tom boys in DDs girls grammar so I wouldn't worry.