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Secondary education

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Original poster

What do you do if you want an independent school but your dc doesn't pass the entrance exams?

34 replies

NotMostPeople · 28/03/2012 21:51

We live in a grammar school area, my ds might just pass the 11 plus but even if he does I'm not sure a grammar would be the right place for him. Our dd is in a local grammar so I'm aware of how much pressure there is. If we decide the grammar isn't right for DS we'd prefer him to go to an independent school rather than the local high schools. The high school don't have a great reputation although I have to admit I haven't yet been to see them (I will do so).

I've had a look at the admissions criteria for the two local(ish) independent schools and both involve entrance exams including English. DS is terrible at English/literacy but brilliant at maths and science. I don't think he'd ever pass an English exam. So now I'm wondering what on earth I can do other than the high schools. How much emphasis is put on the entrance exams?

OP posts:
Hulababy · 28/03/2012 21:53

It depends on the schools tbh. Some are academically selective, others aren't. Mayb visit em and see what by say.

LadySybilDeChocolate · 28/03/2012 21:54

Have a look around and speak to them. There are a lot of independent secondaries that are not selective, it doesn't mean they are not good schools though.

mirry2 · 28/03/2012 21:54

If there is an entrance exam I assume your dc would need to pass it. however some independent school have past exam papers. It would be worth getting hold of some to see what standard they are pitched at and whether your dc would be able to pass.

MollieO · 28/03/2012 23:02

I wouldn't automatically assume that failing the 11+ means they'd fail an entrance exam for an academically selective school.

spendthrift · 28/03/2012 23:19

Is he dyslexic? Would it be worth checking if you havent?

Tbh, not all independent schools are good at dealing with the slightly unusual pupil. Some are, but they dont have to, unlike the state system.

If he does need extra support, then either you need to find a school that will give it or find a mechanism at home.

Don't forget also that children mature at different ages, and that often boys catch up later. So you might find the high schools were full of late developing high performing boys.

seeker · 28/03/2012 23:29

To be honest, if he's not going to pass the 11+ or the entrance exam to the independent, you may have no choice but the high school. Go and visit before you dismiss- a lot of schools are unfairly condemned by gossip. And talk to them. My ds will be going to a school I would much rather he didn't- but I feel much reassured after talking to the heqd and the head of year 7.

welovesausagedogs · 28/03/2012 23:39

some are very selective others are more about being nurturing. If he does very well on the other papers e.g. maths, then it won't be so important that he does well on the english one. But if he struggles with english could be worth getting a 11+ tutor, because besides exams, improving his english if that is an are he is weak in would help him for the long term.

Original poster
NotMostPeople · 29/03/2012 00:03

He is dyslexic and struggles with long written pieces. I have a tutor pencilled in and based on his last couple of VR, NVR and maths tests that they do at school he would just about pass the 11 plus. There is a chance that with the tutoring that he could pass, but I'm just not sure that the super pushy grammar is the right place for him. He stands a better chance of passing the eleven plus then the indi school entrance exams because they have an English exam.

I think eh would benefit from smaller class sizes that the indi's offer.

OP posts:
happygardening · 29/03/2012 07:36

We used to live in a county with a huge number of grammar schools. The comps rightly or wrongly generally had a poor reputation so many on finding out that their DC hadn't or wouldn't pass the 11+ opted for independent schools. The few " big names" apart the over whelming majority catered for "nice children who couldn't pass the 11+".
Most independent schools require a prospective pupil to sit some kind of entrance exam even if it's only for streaming purposes. You mentioned your DS is dyslexic you really need to speak to the person in charge of learning support they will also be able to advise you as to whether or not your DS will be suitable for the school as some schools won't take children with significant dyslexia etc.

vixsatis · 29/03/2012 08:27

Go and talk to the schools. See whether you like them and think they would be right for your son. Be open with them about his strengths and weaknesses. Many independent schools have more flexibility in how they look at potential entrants than do grammars, which have to make decisions based on absolutely nothing except the scores on paper.

You won't really know what your options are until you have visited and found out about their criteria

spendthrift · 29/03/2012 08:55

But find a school, indie or state, that is really supportive of dyslexia. He needs to get English under his belt for the arts and humanities.

Tbh, that's probably going to be the most important factor. If he's statemented he can express a preference within the state sector and it's hard for the school to ignore.

welovesausagedogs · 29/03/2012 09:42

I think you should go and look at the schools, with my brother (although) a while ago, (he's dyslexic) when he applied for independent secondaries my parents found a lot of schools will take the dyslexia into account, as dyslexic often excel in other areas, my brother got into the three schools he tried for and got offered a drama scholarship for one (he adored drama). There are independent schools that are so focussed on academic results and more about doing whats best for that child, you need to look at all the possible schools and explain your situation and some will be accomadating.

Barbeasty · 29/03/2012 10:05

Go and look at them and talk to them.

Lots of schools will offer a pre-test, to give you an honest idea of whether it's worth applying. If they don't do that they will probably still be able to give you a good idea of the level he needs to be.

If they are selective enough that you still think he won't pass, when you think he will scrape through the 11+, then they may well be just as pushy and wrong for him anyway.

wordfactory · 29/03/2012 10:46

Find out, op.
Some indeoendent schools have entrance tests pretty much for setting purposes.

MrsMeaner · 29/03/2012 11:23

An entrance exam doesn't mean the school is selective.

The best thing to do is to visit the potential schools and have a candid discussion with the head. If he is borderline 11+, I'm sure you shouldn't have too much of a problem finding a good senior school.

eatyourveg · 29/03/2012 12:48

I agree with MrsMeaner - not all independent schools are selective.

Our school has an entrance exam and there is a pass mark but I think you have to have pretty significant difficulties not to get through.The exam is used more for setting purposes. The school has tons of dyslexic pupils who opted out of the selection process for exactly the same reason as you

Contact the school and ask them

Original poster
NotMostPeople · 29/03/2012 13:59

Thanks everyone, I think a round of open evenings is on the cards.

OP posts:
MollieO · 29/03/2012 19:26

Shiplake College near Henley has a good reputation for dyslexia.

Gunznroses · 29/03/2012 19:50

Can someone explain please To me how a school can require common entrance exam and yet not be selective ? Our local indy has a rep for being non selective but it requires an entrance test into yr 7 consisting of verbal and non verbal reasoning, english and maths, and CE for entrance into yr 9.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 29/03/2012 22:31

It can be sele give but not based on academic ability. Or it can be to asses what group a child should be in if they go. I think some private schools have entrance exams just to see if their face fits, or if they are severely struggling academically to the extent that the school feels that child would pull their results down.

happygardening · 30/03/2012 07:07

OP of you live in Kent where of course there are loads of grammars Ive heard Bethany's has a good refutation for dyslexic support.

RiversideMum · 30/03/2012 07:14

I'd guess that if you are in a grammar school area, the indy schools may adust their policy to fit with the market available to them - ie knowing that the brightest children will probably be going to the grammars. The entrance "test" may just be an assessment.

SoupDragon · 30/03/2012 07:15

In our area, the grammars also have an english exam (although at least one has dropped the VR).

Being bad at English isn't the be all and end all though. Thinking of our local schools, if you pass the 11+ you would probably pass the exam for the two main independents. DS2 scored twice as much in his maths as he did in his English paper for the independent he will be going to in September.

Phone the schools you are interested in and ask - I don't think the one DSs go to is overly worried about English as it can be taught and brought up to standard. They also interview all candidates and select on this basis rather than just the exam

Chandon · 30/03/2012 07:17

This is so hard OP.

My dyslexic DS would not get into a selective secondary.

So we have the choice between a nice independent school, small classes, good pastoral care, but not a very academic school. or the local state Secondary, which is very good, but only the top few tiers are good, the bottom tiers are dreadful and not even shown on the open days. So if he would be put in a low tier due to dyslexia he would be stuffed.

Then again, it would be a bit silly to send him to a non-academic secondary private as well!!!!

My DS is great at maths/science, and at a very academic primary. The bl%%dy dyslexia means his writing is just so weak.

what to do?!

.....

seeker · 30/03/2012 07:20

Grammar schools generally are not famous for their support for pupils with additional needs. There are usually very few in each school, and the pace of learning is generally so fast that it can be very dispiriting if you can't keep up. I would question very very closely any grammar school that claims to have good AEL support, to he honest.

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