Hi, after some advice please. Ds is in year 4 and we are starting to think about secondary school options. We have a comprehensive down the road which we are well within catchment for which is huge, goes up and down in terms of ofsted reports, but is currently "good", GCSEs not great. There is also a grammar school in the next area which is "outstanding" and a more average size. Some children from our area do get into the grammar, even though children from the school's area get priority, but just passing the 11 plus isn't a given for admission for where we live. Ds would have to get a bus to get there.
Ds is bright and confident. Would probably do ok anywhere but I want to give him the best possible option for him. Private is not an option for us.
To pass the 11 plus Ds would need to do some work, his primary (quite rightly as we are not a grammar school area) will not do any preparation for the 11 plus. Ds would therefore have to do some papers in his own time, possibly a little bit of tutoring.
My question is this - we would really like to visit both of the schools in year 5 (this autumn) to see whether the grammar would be the best fit for Ds and give him some motivation to do some work if it is, so we have time to prepare him for the 11 plus. And to not put him through it if we both feel that the comprehensive would suit him better.
Is this completely crazy mum behaviour? Does anyone else ever visit in year 5? Would we even be allowed to go on the open days?
Thanks for your advice.