11+ or not??

[TrooBloo]

I live in an area where everybody is massively against the 11+. I can’t quite work out why, whether it’s because you need to tutor and therefore it’s for those that can afford it, or if they just don’t like the disparity between children. Not far away though, think next town, it’s a different culture. 11+ is the ONLY way to go.

I am on the fence between those two. 11+ for the right child.

My son is bright and an all rounder. He could definitely pass his 11+ And go to grammar school. But I don’t know if it’s a good idea. It would mean travel to a different town, therefore friends not necessarily local. I worry about mental health too - is high pressure a good idea? Is single sex a good idea too?

Has anybody else been in the fence, how did you come to a decision? I feel so stuck and can’t talk to anyone in real life as I’ll be shot down in flames for daring mention the word ‘grammar’ - people don’t even consider out of area schools, it’s the local comprehensive or nothing!

I'm having this dilemma with DD2 @TrooBloo. DD1 got into our nearest grammar (not 11+ they do their own exam) and is really happy there despite the long journey. She didn't know anyone when she started but most of them are in the same boat, I don't think there are more than 2 or 3 kids from any school.

I have started light tutoring with DD2 (Y5), just Maths at the moment as that is weaker than her English, and she says she'd like to try but doesn't ever want to do the work. Seeing how happy DD1 is has made me keener to get DD2 in, although we are also lucky with our local options.

I think you do need some tutoring merely to cover the curriculum. Our grammar test covers the whole of KS2 but they do it in September so haven't done any of the Y6 work yet. Don't know if this is the same for the 11+ but I imagine it is.