Yorkshire grammar schools

[EmBeEmBe]

We're considering a move to Yorkshire within the next few years and definitely in time for secondary school. My children are doing well at school. Is tutoring in prep for 11+ the norm in N.Yorks/Calderdale? My husband (who went to a Yorkshire grammar) says it's not normal, but round here everyone tutors madly. Not sure that's what I want for my children but nor do I want to limit their options. Thanks for advice.

Grammars schools or the 11+ aren't a thing/ don't routinely exist in Yorkshire.

There may be specific grammar schools but they are soo few the 11+ would be the entrance exam for that school only.

Thanks. So does that mean that these school places are hotly contested and therefore a fair amount of tutoring goes on? We're thinking about the grammars in Halifax specifically at the moment, but also casting the net wider and possibly considering Ripon area which I know also has a grammar.

Ermysteads (Skipton) and North Halifax/ Crossley Heath both 11+ and yes people tutor for it. It’s not as crazy as down in London though.

Also Skipton Girls’ if you have girls not boys - Ermysteads is boys.

Yes, tutoring for those schools, but less so than in London I would say.

Tutoring was a thing even when I went to SGHS in the late 1980s (especially for anyone who wasn’t coming from a catchment primary school). From what I hear it’s commonplace these days.

If you are comfortable with whatever area in Yorkshire have you considered the comprehensive system, which most of the schools in Yorkshire are?
Children who are bright will be in top sets and get just as good an education as those in grammar schools (better sometimes - if you judge by looking at the progress made by comprehensive cohorts instead of just grades achieved).
You could choose an area with an excellent comprehensive school.

It isn’t a choice of grammar school and then a school for those who didn’t pass the 11 plus in most areas of Yorkshire.

I can only comment on the Skipton Grammars. It’s takes the top 25%ish of inner catchment children who take the exam and reserves a certain number of places (I think 25%) for outer catchment who get a qualifying score. Cut off for those places is on distance. So you can get a qualifying score but live too far. Outer catchment is about 12 miles which gets you to ilkley, Howarth and Settle.

Yes everyone tutors. Or does the prep themselves. Don’t believe anyone that says they don’t. After all would you go into an exam without having covered the syllabus or familiarised yourself with the format?

I don’t believe it’s as crazy as Kent/London though, tutor names are happily swapped, it starts in Year 4/5 and the majority of people are quite open about it.

Ps the comprehensives just outside Skipton are mainly excellent.

Thanks. All very helpful. Yes, ultimately would prefer a comprehensive in an area where no-one goes to grammar. We are looking across a wide region at the moment so any recommendations for great secondary schools would be appreciated.

In Yorkshire it's quite common for schools that used to be grammars to keep the name, even if they became comps decades ago. E.g. Bingley Grammar, Ilkley Grammar. People get confused and think there are more selective schools than there really are here.

I don't think that there are very many true Grammars in Yorkshire at all? They're pretty unusual I'd say!

Tadcaster Grammar isn't a grammar school, either. Just kept the name for historical reasons.

And a lot of grammar schools are not state schools. I was going to suggest Halifax or Heckmondwike.

DD's old school still has Grammar as part of its name, but it is a rather good comprehensive school. It has kept the same name since it was founded over 600 years ago. Older people round here still call it The Grammar School.

Not everyone gets tutors.

Me and my siblings went to adore mentioned grammars and none of us were tutored.

RampantIvy, The grammar schools in Halifax (NHGS and Crossleys) and Heckmondwike are academies but still in the state sector.

Tutoring is commonplace but the competition is not as fierce as in London.

Yes, I knew that about Halifax. I know someone whose children go there. Heckmondwike is state, but Wakefield Girls, QEGS and Sheffield Girls are all fee paying.

Leeds Grammar and Bradford Grammar are private as well.

Go to Harrogate. All comps, all good. Harrogate Grammar School is a comprehensive, just keeps the historical name

Second suggestion of come to Harrogate ( or Ilkley) great state comprehensive schools

My DD1 is at one of the Calderdale grammar schools and, believe me, there is tutoring! The two Calderdale grammars are super-selective, in that there are no catchment areas, so children travel from London to take the test and then the family moves wholesale if they’re successful. My DD has children in her form who are travelling from the far side of Leeds to get to school and also children whose families have relocated from other regions of the country in order to take up their places.

Thanks everyone. This is really helpful. I didn't realise that many of these "grammar" schools are actually comps, which is a relief in many ways. Also interesting that that two calderdale grammars are super selectives. What are the calderdale comps like? On paper they look kind of average. Thanks

Ripon Grammar is a grammar school, I think.

Yes I think there is an entrance exam for Ripon Grammar?

Ilkley Grammar (comp) also very good reputation.