GRAMMAR SCHOOLS

4 replies

China4Jazz · 29/08/2013 16:19

Dear Mothers
I live in the W'stow area and am thinking of moving. My child is 9 and is about to start year 5.
Latymer School; although really good and highly recommended; means I have to stay in this area. I'm stuck if my child doesn't get in and will have to attend one of the local schools.
So the questions is; where do I move to that has good schools?
As you can see; I'm looking for a grammar school; preferably a mixed one? and thinking of moving to the Essex area.
I looked at Outstanding Schools in the Redbridge area; really good schools; however a very high percentage of one race; my child needs to mix and not feel the odd one out; I'm looking for an equal balance of all or at least more than one race.
Help; I'm at the end of my tether... where do we move to where there are good schools or mixed grammar schools?

OP posts:

Spickle · 29/08/2013 16:47

Chelmsford and Southend have excellent grammar schools, usually pretty high in league tables, though they are separate boys and girls schools. The Westcliff grammar schools are also separate boys and girls but they are next door to each other so there is contact, i.e. school bus, lunch times etc and the 6th form is mixed. With regard to race, predominantly white but plenty of mixed race too. Would these schools be too far though? If you live in the Southend/Westcliff area, you have the choice of two boys/two girls grammar schools and it is easier for catchment pupils in feeder schools to get in than non-local pupils. The non-selective schools in the area are pretty good too.

However, please don't think grammar schools are the end all and be all. My son went to grammar school (daughter to local comprehensive), and my son found the constant criticism and "could try harder" spiel from teachers plus competition to be top of the class overwhelming. Encouragement would have been better for him in hindsight.

mumblechum1 · 29/08/2013 16:53

Same here. DS went to grammar for 7 long years and if he ever got anything less than an A was treated as a failure. He left a couple of months ago and the relief of getting away shows even his body language, as if a large rock has just been taken off his head.

englishteacher78 · 29/08/2013 16:58

There are also grammar schools in Colchester.
Chelmsford boys (KEGS) has recently reduced its catchment area so that may need considering.
None of the Essex grammars are mixed in years 7-11, but some such as CRGS are mixed in the sixth form. The entrance exams are now in the September of Year 6, so that parents now know their child's score before applying for secondary schools.

Original poster

China4Jazz · 29/08/2013 22:36

Mmmmn interesting response. Maybe I should not be beating myself up about getting him into a grammar school after all.
Thanks all; a great help.

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