Feeling very guilty....pls advise!!!

[Noopsy]

Hi ya there all....this is my first post to this site and it's of a guilty nature....
I live in North London and My firstborn is due to start secondary next year.
Although mentally I had been thinking about secondary schools, i had not been very proactive (inbetween my overactive toddler/work) and now the deadline for application to the only nearest grammar school I was to look into has passed.
My only other option seems to be a good local boys comp (not a new snazzy build like some of the other schools in my borough but nevertheless one of the best achieving ones within our borough).
I feel extremely guilty and very down at the moment....
He is a bright kid and I feel that I have let him/myself down due to my naiveity/complacency and have lost out on a good opportunity......
What are your opinions on me applying to that Grammar sch for the following year (2012, when he's in Y8 or is that just me being hasty?)
Sorry for my rambling on's but just trying to give you an idea....

this is L school, yes? I'd be really surprised if they had places in Y8, and if they did they'd offer them to people who were on their waiting list after the original entrance exams.

People start planning their strategy to get their dc into latymer when the kids are still in infants, tbh. Kids are tutored for years for those exams.

You could probably still apply to QE or DAO if that's your kind of thing. But be warned, the competition is ferocious. There are lots of good non-selective schools in N. London, don't fret.

I would look on the positive side and get your application in for sensible schools that are not grammar schools.
Some pupils do not respond well to the ethos in grammar schools but do very well at "comprehensive" schools and I see no reason why your son should not do well at a good boys comp.

AgonyBeetle, yes, it was latymer and (I'm no teacher) but I've been tutoring him for years at home (plus he's being tutored privately also which was'nt for any specific schhols mind you! just for the sake of him excelling in his studies) so he probably would've been ok with the tests......
I'm in despair at the mo, just feel so guilty when I look at him.
I guess i should've considered grammar schools right from the start and not a month ago!!
Yes, as you've quite rightly stated there are some good comp schools here, Central Foundation/Highbry Gro to name a couple....

Thank you for your advice....

admission; sensibly put - thank you.

Noopsy, there's still time if you want to put a grammer on your list. Dame Alice Owen takes Islington kids and might be worth a punt - although its a long journey from highbury.

Thanks norflondoner, I am considering it, although like you say, it is a long way to go from Islington...
I wonder if it is all worth the journey....my poor son will be so knackered just by the journey alone (I don't drive either), plus theres h/w and all that comes with preparing for the following day.....
I will probably just stick with applying to Central....
Thank you for your encouraging words.....