Think we made an error in choice of school this year

[Seriouslymole]

DS passed the 11+ but for various reasons decided he didn't want to go to the single sex grammar in the area. We decided together that the comprehensive would be right for him.

I don't now think it is. He is bored, he's probably the brightest in the class (which is what happens with selective grammars I guess, the bright get creamed off the top) and isn't get pushed. The school's reaction to Covid is to keep all the children in one class, he is therefore not set for anything and is a. bored b. discouraged and c. feels out of place socially.

I have told him that we will give it a year but I hate to think of him struggling socially and not progressing academically because of a bad choice we made.

Is there anything we can do? Has anyone ever been in this situation?

Why does he want to do ?

The lack of sets will be the issue and this is a covid problem. I think you need to wait for more normal times to make a judgement.

Can you call the grammar and see if they have places? Some may have not liked it and decided to go elsewhere

@cansu

The lack of sets will be the issue and this is a covid problem. I think you need to wait for more normal times to make a judgement.

The problem is, when is this going to be? If we are still in the same situation next year, globally and nationally - which is not beyond the realms of possibility, then this will be the "new normal" (much as I hate that phrase).

Call the grammar today and get on their waiting list. Theres lots of movement in the first year at secondary school. Dont leave it until the summer when someone with a lower 11+ score/lives further away has taken a place that comes up and you have to wait most of year 8 for a place.

If you get a place at the grammar, you can then decide which school would be best, but right now you don't have the option.

I would presume the current restrictions are going to be in place this school year.

Presumably, in primary he was on the top table and getting more challenging work than less able children. Just speak to the school as there’s no reason for him not to be pushed just because there aren’t sets and teachers should still be differentiating in class.

Having said that, I worked in lots of different schools (range of non-selective ones and grammars in London), and the pace in grammars is just faster and kids just ‘get things’. It’s just a different environment to a comp. However, even in average/run of the mill comps, plenty of children excel at GCSEs, A-Levels and go on to Russel Group unis.
So chin up and remember why you’ve chosen the school.

Reiterating what others have said; ring them and ask to go on their waiting list. These are different times and there may be more movement than usual.

Even if nothing comes of it, you can feel better that you've done everything you could.

Re movement in grammars, it might depend on the area. I’ve seen only very occasional places come up near me. Families put in a lot of effort prepping for 11+ so once a child secures a place, they rarely leave.

@JoJoSM2 yes but if they leave, they leave now because they're in the situation the OP is in now but the other way around. Some kids get into the grammar and can't keep up. The super selective near us gets spaces in the first half of y7 but not really ever after that.

move him into the grammar or onto their waiting list, who knows how long this thing is going to go on for.

there's always a bit of movement even if just a couple of families leave the area and this will be quite a choppy year for many. over-tutoring is rife round here, poor kids, so a few will leave for that reason also. Some may even leave because their parents are worried about covid proofing, who can tell. nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I work in a non-grammar in a grammar/11+ area. It is very common to get calls at Christmas and the summer term from year 7 parents at grammar schools who are struggling with the work and want to move. There are rarely calls to move children out of grammar after year 8 starts. If you wait until the end of the year, it might be too late, unless families completely relocate away from the area.

Thanks so much all. Apparently it all has to go through the LEA so I'll give them a ring and see what the deal is.

Agree with pp. See if he can go on waiting list for the grammar. It may take a while for a place to come up by which time (possibly) he may feel happier where he is, but at least you'll have a choice. At DD's grammar, you'd have to sit another 12+ exam to get a place if it came up in year 8.

There was movement in both my DC schools in year 7. They are now yr10 and yr8. Think 2 joined my DS form and I know of a boy that left DDs year last year. I expect people are even more likely to leave this year.