Grammar schools or comprehensive

[SpeedyPixie]

Hello everyone,

My daughter is currently in Year5 and we are preparing her for grammar schools. I live in Barking in Essex. I am very confused about relocating to another place. I am looking for a school that is NOT all about academics but gives importance to sports and music as well. Also, preferably a co-ed.

What's a good place to relocate where I can find such a school and also have options for other schools just incase by daughter does not get through.

thanks Pix

Barnet

Preferably on the doorstep of Dame Alice Owen

How close to your current location do you need to be? Gloucestershire has some remaining grammars (2 are now co-ed) with no catchments and a selection of great comprehensives with tight catchments?

Comprehensives are chosen by catchment area. Kids from the right area get the best deal. At least with grammar schools you could perhaps stand a chance if you were poor but intelligent.

Not much of a chance though when the wealthier kids have been tutored in VR, NVR, maths, English, exam technique and have done a dozen practice papers.

I’ve known poor kids get through to grammar schools. Don’t underestimate intelligence

I’ve known poor kids get through to grammar schools. Don’t underestimate intelligence.

I am looking for a school that is NOT all about academics

Maybe a grammar school isn't the best option then.

Trying to stick to the op’s question, but … if you think that grammars have more ‘poor’ children than comprehensives, check the PP statistics for grammars vs non-grammars vs comprehensives serving areas with similar demographics……

I didn't say none would get in but statistically it's wealthier kids.

I agree. Sadly things have changed.

Just for curiosity, I have just looked at Gloucestershire's grammar schools (there are 7).

If you look at the % of children who have been eligible for free school meals over the past 6 years, and rank the county's secondary schools in order of who has FEWEST of these children, all 7 grammars are in the top 8.

Looking at particular towns:
Town 1
%PP
Grammar: 1.5%
Comprehensives: 4.4%, 14%, 29.7%, 30%

Town 2
%PP
Grammars: 2.6%, 3.8%
Non-grammars: 14.2%, 18.4%, 25.7%

I don't think that you can use these statistics to claim that grammars specifically give a chance to poorer kids? Even the very, very privileged comprehensives in Town 1 admit 3x as many poor children than the grammar.

How far do you want to move? Plenty of places don’t have the grammar school system. Eg Hertfordshire

also go and visit the non grammars near you - you might love them!

Hampshire has a fully comp system.

I’m not sure I understand the op. Are you looking for and area that doesn’t have grammar schools? That’s most of the country tbh.

Or do you want a place with the grammar system, but where the grammars don’t focus on academics? Bc that will be harder to find, I imagine.

Do you need to be near to London op? Or is there an area of the country where you have friends or family?

Everything @clary said. It looks like a good comp in a fully comp area would suit you perfectly, but are you looking to move and if so, how far?

County wide grammars, such as those in Bucks might suit. However you need a good secondary as a fall back. Therefore Gt Missenden, Waddesdon or Amersham are the best bets. However you need to understand the residence dates and test dates. They are very early in y6 for tests. Bucks CC web site has all the 11 plus info. The grammars are very good at educating DC who wouldn’t get into super selective ones.