Further maths? Comp and grammar

[Middleoftheroad]

DT1 and DT2 are same ability. One has just started grammar, one comp. DT1 did not do as well as expected and it's been a hard year for them

They both scored 120 in Maths SATs. It's their favourite subject (their other SATs scored similarly highly but they love maths in particular).

I do wonder if there will be a gap by KS4 and whether that will widen a little each year (based on comparitive GCSE results)

DS2's grammar have chance to study further Maths (i think) and additional GCSEs, where DT1's school offers 9 GCSEs but no further maths.

I dont know much about the qualification and whether it will still be running when they take GCSEs, but is there anything I can do to keep things as 'equal' as possible?

The obvious answer would be same school. However DS1 had his heart set on grammar and it was only his push and confidence that separated the pair on the day.

I feel guilty that DT2 may get more opportunities and progress further when they are equally able. The chance to take more GCSEs and a broader mix/advanced maths.

How does your dd get home after matches, rehearsals and parties? How doe she see her friends at weekends?

Parties, she is going to one this weekend, which is 20 miles away.

She does gymnastics one night after school plus sat morn, she also does another sport 2 nights a week.

She sees her primary school friends on weekends and the other girl who goes on her bus who lives 10 mins away. We also did sleepovers during each holiday. One with primary friends (did that 3 times) and one with GS friends 5 of them who came from all over the place, 20 miles in each direction. She doesn't generally do after school matches due to her sports commitments already. They tend to do all the school clubs at lunch time because all the DC go home on the bus at 4.00.

We live in a rural village so even the local comp is a 20 min bus ride, which is where my son went. My DD has just started yr 8 and has absolutely loved it and she was the only girl who went from her primary to this school all the others went to the local comp.

The point at which the distance really cut in for kids round here was age 14-15 when parents either provided a very late taxi service with a round trip of 40-60 miles or paid someone else to do it. However in rural areas this is probably less exceptional.

Do we know the comp doesn't do triple science? I can't see OP saying this but I don't know the local area either.

Are people talking about A level further maths?

Around here there is nothing much to do for teens in the evenings locally so we are all taxi services to Sports clubs, Air cadets, Scouts and youth clubs etc.

All the teens when my Ds was growing up, went to various different clubs or spent lots of time gaming. It was great when he and his friends passed their driving tests at 17 and could finally dispense with mum's taxi!

I think that on page 4 the OP said that at the GS they can do 3 separate sciences which made me think that they only do double at the comp, sorry if I was incorrect.

At my DDs gs they do further maths at GCSE.

Oh ok. They don't do further maths gcse at the gs in the next borough, only further maths A level (same as the local comp.)

What does your son think? Would you have moved him immediately if it was the grammar that dt2 is attending? I still think you will be sad when he gets to year 10 and he can't choose triple science and further maths.

How many GCSEs do they take at the comp and what will he take instead of fm and triple science? Look at his choices for GCSEs can you come up with a list from what they offer that he would like? Or will you be scrabbling around for filler subjects because he has to do a certain amount but there aren't many choices.

If they don't offer triple science and fm do they do business studies, psychology, sociology or any others? Of is it all childcare and animal care or mechanics type btecs instead? All of which are great options in a comp but maybe not so much for the high achieving DC unless those are the kind of careers they are interested in?

My local comp offers all these and fm and triple science. My DS went there are did really well but he did triple science and now he is doing science at Uni. But I wouldn't have been happy for him to not have the choice?

Has your Dt1 always been less confident or has it only been this last year? Because a knock at 11+ is always going to be hard especially as his twin passed. But then to get 120 at math sats shows he is just as clever.

Anyway you probably only have a short time to decide but as I said earlier you can move back to comp, you are unlikely to get another chance at grammar.

And the journey, loads of dc travel long distances to school and they all seem to be ok. My dd travels for 30 mins on the bus, lots of her friends travel for an hour.

Opps sorry just checked this thread on my iPad and it loaded the above message which I had tried to post this morning. Sorry if it looks like I'm repeating the same things I said before .

Sorry for the delay - lots of agonising.

We declined the place. I'll never know if it was right or wrong, but DS just doesn't want to go and is super happy.

I realise that may sound simplistic and a wasted opportunity and that things may change.

This last minute offer seemed like the answer to my initial thread quandary. But turns out I just cant uproot him at the moment. I don't doubt that there could be regrets by year 10 (academically speaking) but I have to go with my instinct right now.

I have spoken with colleagues, one with a child in year 1O (got a level 6 in SATs) and she said the maths did start out basic but then they ramped it up and do push students.

Able students do get to take triple science, just not further maths.

Good luck with it all. Ultimately both schools sound good, and as others have said Further Maths could be in a different place in five years' time.

As a caring, supportive parent you are already providing a massive advantage to your DTS, having them happy at their schools is also an underrated benefit.

Honestly, depending on how things play out with DH you may find DTS settled and happy at school of particular importance in the coming years.

Thankyou - it's been a very difficult decision and I wome up this morning going over everything, especially as I've gone with instinct over the data!

Good luck, I think you have made the right decision. My feeling is that a borderline 11+ score child will probably do better if well taught in top sets at a good comprehensive. I taught in such a school and our brightest kids got GCSE and A level grades comparable to or better than the local grammars. Many have gone on to remarkable careers. Finally, a long journey to school can be very tiring and can limit extra curricular activities.

Congratulations on deciding and I hope you have a a sense of being unburdened now.
I'm sure he will get a good education and do really well. Best of luck to both boys and yourself too.

Good luck to DT1 I'm sure he will be fine if it is what he wanted, I bet he will work really hard too if he is happy. As they do triple science it is only the FM that he won't be able to do and all may change in a few years.

Also with a family so absolutely on his side with so much support for him he has the very best chance a DC has to have a happy and fulfilling education.

You are an absolute warrior for your sons and congratulations on all you have done for him this last year. What a rollercoaster for you. Do you have anymore DC, other than DTwins? Or can you finally relax now?

Congrats. I'm sure it is a fine choice. The main thing is that he will be happy and if he's happy he'll do well!!

Glad your son is enjoying his school and that you've reached a decision. Dd is in year 9 and is very happy and doing well at her comp and she has a lovely group of friends. I found it slightly terrifying sending her there having gone to a grammar myself as comps do tend to get a bad press, but the teachers have been great and none of my fears about bullying etc have been realised. Hope your son will be as happy as my dd has been so far.