local grammar not providing for bright/keen students

[Beeline123]

HELP! do any schools do what they say on their prospectus? How many other parents of well behaved keen students are frustrated by teachers (if you can ever allowed to e-mail or speak to them) and Heads of departments, who deny the observations made re school not giving what they promise? How many parents/students have asked for help/more lesson content and for homework to be marked and been criticised for speaking up? This is really affecting conscientious bright children badly. Some students react with bad behaviour, others give up working and in my childs case become withdrawn, disappointed and distrustful of these adults in control. Do we want to do this to the future generation? Can anyone recommend a secondary school where they truly know staff will provide for bright (GCSE level at 12/13) students? communicate with parents etc.

Yes, grammar schools are rubbish at teaching academic children.

Our school is brilliant. Teachers are brilliant. Great CVA and 5 A* to C inc EM)

But then its a normal comp, so probably not good enough for you.

My kids' school ticks all the boxes OP.

Mind you, I delegate the teaching to the teachers who are hard pressed enough for time as it is.

How about doing a Toby whatsisface by setting up your own free school?

My boys have thrived at their local state schools (primary and secondary).
They haven't been accelerated through the curriculum (ie haven't done early or very early GCSE entry), which I fully agree with. They've stayed with their peer group, but been challenged and stimulated throughout. ds1 is in yr10 and is on target for exceptionally high grades in all subjects; but more important he's happy and still loves learning.

The marking of the books is generally excellent - superb in Science for example.

ds1 had a supply teacher doing a maternity cover in English, who was utterly hopeless and disorganised. But other than that we've had no reason to complain at any point.

The grammar school my ds goes to sounds nothing like what you have described. GCSE level work is taught as standard from year 7, and I have every faith in the vast majority of the teachers there.

Perhaps your child is becoming withdrawn because his parents are not supporting the school where he spends a large amount of his time.

Are you talking about one school or schools in general? From your subject line, it sounds like you are talking about the specific school your child attends but in your text you seem to suggest that the failings are in all schools? It's certainly not true in my ds's state comp.

My eldest is at a selective grammar school which I have been delighted with so far. The communication is excellent, my DD is probably in the middle of the range they teach at.
I'm glad I paid for prep because the basics were in place when she started but they have stretched her already and given her lots of confidence boosts in maths especially.
I doubt I have a 5 A* pupil on my hands but I believe they will get her to university if that's what she wants and I am happy to save the £80k that private school would cost to the same end.

Please don?t be discouraged OP by some of the comments. I know exactly what you are talking about. I am a teacher and have heard many times my colleagues complaining and making mean unprofessional comments about some outstanding students. The reason is always they know too much! The students I am talking about are the Oxbridge type, dedicated, very polite and well behaved. Their only crime is that they are too clever by half. It is scary for some teachers but it is exhilarating for true educators. Try to extend him at home. Find some activities, societies he could join and please, please tell him not to listen to some frustrated losers. Tell him as well to look out for the ones who will see his potential and help him to get better and better.

By the way there is Grammar and there is Grammar....

Not my experience of grammar at all. DD2 goes to a selective grammar and I can't fault it.

Some of the work she did in year 7 and the beginning of year 8 was the same as my (average) older DD was doing in year 10. KS3 is compacted into two years and GCSE courses start in year 9 with those who are capable fast tracked in some subjects and able to start AS levels in some subjects in year 11. Excellent in all curriculum areas and amazing extra curricular stuff.

Regular feedback on her progress, teachers are easily contactable, brilliant pastoral care etc.etc.

It does sound like your DC's school might be lacking...

I wouldn?t just rely on school to educate your child. Get them to learn another language out of school, learn a musical instrument or take a subject that?s not offered at school at a Tutor centre. After school clubs or teams are also invaluable to develop a well rounded child.

Yes, like any schools, a grammar school can "go off" for a while - it happened to one of the Lincolnshire Girls grammar schools a few years ago. Back on track, I believe, now; but must have been awful if your DD was in the affected cohort.

I think I can only echo the advice os a previous poster - don't rely on the school, and do look for other activities which are educational in the broadest sense.

I'm not quite clear what it is that this school says they will do that they aren't doing - can you fill in what it is in their prospectus, and what you mean by 'what they promise?'

I'm wondering if your interpretation of what they mean isn't the same as theirs - TBH while many grammar schools will teach GCSE content early (or in DDs case, do some A-level ethics subjects in yr8) they don't actually do GCSEs at 12/13 (DDs school does them all in yr11, which I think is better than accelerating - tends to be comps trying to play statistics which do that IME)

Nope, i went to a grammar and dd is at a grammar and we were/are both very stretched despite being at the top of the ability range. dd loves her g&T stuff - it sounds great. Her school is fantastic at setting differentiated work so it is suitable for all ability ranges and up to the children themselves how much they choose to push themselves.

So OP, your experience is v atypical.