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Secondary education

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Original poster

Getting into grammar school without the hysteria?

26 replies

Digdeep79 · 29/08/2018 21:20

We are in Essex.

My son goes to tutoring once a week and does the associated homework but that's it.

However, I overheard conversations with parents today who aren't letting their kids go to school until after the 11+ (so they can work on 11+ stuff all day), and aren't letting them go on their school residential trip as it takes them away from 11+ work etc etc

I don't want to put my children through that, but I'd also like them to go to grammar. My son is doing very well in past papers.

Anyone got in without all of this?

OP posts:
RoxanneMonke · 29/08/2018 21:24

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RoxanneMonke · 29/08/2018 21:26

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Original poster
Digdeep79 · 29/08/2018 21:29

That's what I thought and my thinking too - if they have to quit normal life to get in, then what's the point!

Congrats to your daughter Grin

OP posts:
BakedBeans47 · 29/08/2018 21:30

Bonkers

Poor kids

RoxanneMonke · 29/08/2018 21:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

iklboo · 29/08/2018 21:35

DS got into grammar (offered places at two schools) by just doing the same as your DD. He did the mock exam just so he knew what to expect on the day.

We kept it calm and said if he didn't pass he didn't pass. It wouldn't be the end of the world. We wouldn't be cross or disappointed with him and the other schools in the area were good.

His friend was hot-housed by his parents, was sick with nerves for a couple of days leading up to the exam. He got in too but hates it.

Good luck to your son.

DioneTheDiabolist · 29/08/2018 21:41

WTF?Shock

DS's primary did a Transfer Test after school club and homework. He got an A and got into the school of his choice. He would have been so sad and pissed off to miss his residential that I suspect he would have thrown it.Hmm

SwaylorTift · 29/08/2018 21:45

You are in Essex so don't not worry as you have the comprehensive system to fall back on if your child doesn't pass. Buckinghamshire is a different level of stress based on my experience as there is so much difference between the upper schools and the grammars.

Original poster
Digdeep79 · 29/08/2018 22:16

I'm
So glad it's not just me! I think he deserves a place but genuinely not a big deal if he doesn't, as other fab schools in Essex.

He gets back from his residential trip the day before the 11+ . He literally can't wait to go, I can't believe some parents would stop their children going!

OP posts:
vandalstookthehandles · 29/08/2018 22:41

Ok, I totally agree with you re the crazy 11+ prep (it's bonkers round here), but............. I'm still quite surprised that a school would schedule a residential trip to return the day before the exam. DS was like a zombie when he came back from his last residential.

FanDabbyFloozy · 29/08/2018 22:59

@vandalstookthehandles
Outside the grammar counties, schools don't get involved at all and barely know the exam dates, let alone months in advance!

Clairetree1 · 29/08/2018 23:03

mine got in without any tutoring, just doing a few practice papers at home

Original poster
Digdeep79 · 30/08/2018 06:27

I'm
So glad it's not just me! I think he deserves a place but genuinely not a big deal if he doesn't, as other fab schools in Essex.

He gets back from his residential trip the day before the 11+ . He literally can't wait to go, I can't believe some parents would stop their children going!

OP posts:
vandalstookthehandles · 30/08/2018 07:59

Oh I see. We're in Kent, where everyone knows The Date. Didn't realise Essex was different. So do different schools do different days, then?

MarchingFrogs · 30/08/2018 08:35

The grammar schools in Colchester (2), Southend / Westcliff (4) and the boys' grammar school in Chelmsford (along with the two RC bilateral schools and one partially selective comprehensive school in the Borough of Southend) share the same exam, set by the local consortium.

The girls' grammar school in Chelmsford uses the same exam, set by the Durham University Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, as a number of other grammar schools (Redbridge, Reading, Slough, Gloucestershire, ...?).

ChristopherTracy · 30/08/2018 09:10

My son didn't go on a French day trip the day before his 11+ as he would have been absolutely knackered. You have to take the view that you haven't made them work hard for a year just to send them into the actual exam exhausted.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 30/08/2018 09:17

Everyone has different priorities but I would not be impressed that even some of the children were having to do the 11 plus the day after a residential so I can see the other parents perspective. They will be exhausted and they won't perform as well as they might have done. You don't know the reasons the other parents have for wanting that school. I agree that it isn't helpful having hours of cramming for months before, but not going in shattered is not so daft. Having said that some parents choose to go away on holiday during GCSE periods and others don't so it is just different choices.

vandalstookthehandles · 30/08/2018 09:24

I have to say I agree with you. Crazy prep - no. A quiet couple of days before the test - yes. I'd be very torn, personally; my son would hate to miss his residential, but given the state of him after the last one, I would be concerned that he would do much less well in the test than he could, which would be hard on him.

vandalstookthehandles · 30/08/2018 09:27

Also, don't forget some kids actually dread residentials, so it won't be a hardship at all for them not to go.

Keeponwalking · 30/08/2018 09:29

I agree it is so important not to put pressure on the children for the 11 plus. My child did tuition once a week for year 5 then practise papers a month before test. Didnt give up out of school sports, saw friends, chilled out and knew their were other good schools as options.
Her residential trip for school was returning the day before the 11 plus, we spoke to her about how she might be not as rested for her test, we all decided it was a good idea to skip the trip. She got the place at the school she wanted. Now starting year 9 she is loving school, enjoying the pace and level of work and definitely doesn't regret not going on her yr 6 residential.

BevBrook · 30/08/2018 09:30

It is absolutely ridiculous. I am also in Essex. My son is just doing past papers, we are not tutoring at all. He is very bright and should, all circumstances being equal, get in. However with the ridiculous competition from families like those you describe he may not. If so, c’est la vie.
My nephew is starting at an Essex grammar this year having attended “11 plus club” for a year but no extra stuff, so it can be done.

sazzy5 · 30/08/2018 09:30

I agree the prep sounds mental (some people are mental about these exams) but I wouldn't want my DS to be exhausted going into the exam from a residential trip. They may slightly under perform and that lost mark will mean they don't get in. There are plenty of other trips at secondary school. Really surprised the school is doing a trip so close to the exams.
My DS was ill whilst doing the 11+ and that worried me as he had to have lots of medicine to get through the day. Luckily he did ok but it was really bad timing!

PerspicaciaTick · 30/08/2018 09:33

We are in Essex and DD got into a grammar. She did no preparation work during the summer holiday and found the whole experience much less stressful than her y6 SATS.

Hoppinggreen · 30/08/2018 12:10

Dd got back from her y6 residential a couple of days before the exam, she did well.
We didn’t apply any pressure but it wasn’t critical for her to get into The Grammar anyway - I can see why people do get a bit uptight when the only other option is awful

BubblesBuddy · 30/08/2018 20:44

Just to correct the perception that Bucks secondary modern schools are not good, Bucks had overall better results at GCSE than Essex and better progress 8 than Essex in 2017. Parents who worry about the quality of the majority of Bucks secondaries are wrong. Overall they are better then Essex and given that Bucks is an 11 plus County, that’s a good result. Not a single non grammar is comprehensive. They are all secondary moderns!