Moving to Amersham - what are choices if you don't pass 11+?

[Paperowls]

I realise this is a very specific area related question, but... we are looking to move to Amersham in the next six months. My DS is now in year 5 so will nearly be year 6 when we move. He will need to take the 11+ within a few months of us moving. I'm worried that this might mean he won't pass. Should I be getting him tuition? And I don't know anything about what his options will be if he fails the 11 plus. Is it the Amersham School? What is that like? I'm finding it quite hard to find stuff out when you don't live in the area already and the estate agents are useless for pointers!

Berkhamsted, Tring and Thame are all too far for my husband's job. This is why I thought Amersham was the perfect compromise for both of us, but it's not without its challenges.

The other factor to consider is how the schools are where you currently live or any other location you might be considering. I live in a different grammar area where each year many very clever children will not go to the grammar school. This may be due to parents not believing in the test, wanting a faith school, wanting a mixed school, not preparing, having a spiky profile - so very good at maths but not English, etc. What happens to these children? They go to outstanding schools and are top of the school and leave with clutches of As and A*. Compare that to people we know in a different area where there is no selection but all the schools require improvements and I know where I would rather live.

The other factor to consider is how able your son (and other dc) are. Are they in the top 5 in an academic class - give them some familiarisation papers and teach them algebra and they will probably pass. If in top 10 of less academic class then they might need more tuition and support, but often it is the borderline children who have the most to gain from a grammar school. A tuition centre in the area will probably offer assessment at the beginning of yr 5 (now) which will give you an indication of his chances.

I was just being nosey but if you want to go down the grammar school/secondary modern route then Amersham seems a pretty good choice on paper.
www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/schools-by-type?step=phase&region=825&geographic=la&phase=secondary&for=secondary&dataSetFilter=prov

79% A-C in Maths and English at Amersham School is very good for a secondary modern school even if the EBacc percentage is low. According to the school's website, their star performer this year obtained 10As and 2As including 100% in Further Maths GCSE and is staying on in the Sixth Form to take Further Maths A level. Several other pupils mentioned have 6A*s and 4As - for a secondary modern school that's not too shabby. As per the previous poster though it depends on your expectations.

The reason Bucks secondary moderns can be excellent is that many grammar school places go to out of Bucks children and plenty of bright Bucks children go to the secondary moderns in the leafy areas. Often over 30% are high achievers. This is why, for quite a lot of children, they really are not scarred for life by "failing" the 11 plus. They are not second class and schools like the Amersham School do a good job and children flourish. Better than a good many comps in fact!