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Secondary education

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Original poster

Why dont all kids do the 11+ like they apparently did 40/50 years ago?

156 replies

PinkChaires · 16/02/2025 23:40

I am not from the UK and so i had no idea what a grammar school was when it came time for my dds to go to high school. By the time i found out it was two weeks before the test and apparently they had no chance at passing without tutoring ( trafford). Surely this disadvantages some kids? Kids who are smart but just simply do not have the opportunity to sit the test?

OP posts:
CecilyP · 18/02/2025 11:49

BigBlueRhino · 18/02/2025 11:18

Because it's an advantage when it comes to applying for jobs .

Show quote history

How so? Without any local knowledge, how would anyone know? Not all grammar schools have 'Grammar' in their name whereas some comprehensive schools do for historical reasons.

Once you've completed higher education, does anyone care what school you went to?

CecilyP · 18/02/2025 11:56

Moglet4 · 18/02/2025 11:15

Alty girls IS 8 miles though they’ve been filled within 5 miles for the last 5 years. It’s why house prices around me are ludicrous. The score is not taken into consideration as long as it’s a pass, then after looked after kids etc it’s strictly by distance with WA14, WA15 and M33 given priority (deliberately or not, maybe there’s just enough kids who’ve passed within those postcodes to fill the places).

Yes, it must be. There is no mention of any postcodes in their oversubscription criteria.

Marmunia10667 · 18/02/2025 12:47

I live in N Ireland where almost 50 per cent of pupils attend grammar schools. I did the 11+ in 1985 and the whole class sat the exams.

beenbagz · 18/02/2025 13:01

Janebigwither · 17/02/2025 00:43

The grammar school system now officially only operates a compulsory 11 plus exam in Kent.

All of Kent has the grammar system and your child has to take the Kent Test at 11. You can opt out but it means you child will automatically fail and go to attend the local “ academy “

Most schools that are not grammar are academies. They are the old secondary moderns run by business companies for profit. A multi academy trust. They are mostly hideous and treat staff like fodder. More HR staff than teacher and support educators!

There are some grammars in London which have their own entry tests, but not set out like the council in Kent- just parental choice. Most schools are standard comprehensives in the UK. I think are a few in Birmingham as well and dotted around, but again, your choice as a parent or pupil to do the 11 plus.

So move to Kent if you want the grammar system for your child!

Hope that helps

Edited

@Janebigwither you are peddling misinformation. Many grammar schools are academies too. An academy is just a school that is funded directly by the DfE rather than via the local authority.

Non-selective schools in grammar areas like Kent (the old "secondary moderns") should just be collectively called non-selective schools. Some may be academies, others not.

Non-selective schools in non-grammar areas are historically called "comprehensives" because they have children of all academic abilities. That label can't really be applied to non-selective schools in grammar areas like Kent.

The isolated London grammar schools are often called "super selective" because there simply aren't enough of them to cater for all the children that might be considered grammar school material in areas like Kent.

BreatheAndFocus · 18/02/2025 15:02

HPFA · 17/02/2025 20:58

If the friends who didnt go to the grammar are happy it rather suggests the comps aren't actually that bad?

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Happy - ie in relation to DC and their friendship, and not jealous or reacting against DC’s grammar choice or alienated or whatever. They can still see each other and still maintain their friendship 😊

I’ve no idea if they’re happy in the local comp. I don’t speak about it with their parents because it might come across as criticism/pity/stirring.

Plantatreetoday · 18/02/2025 18:10

BigBlueRhino · 18/02/2025 11:18

Because it's an advantage when it comes to applying for jobs .

Show quote history

I would have to disagree.
Qualifications and experience are the advantage.

If anything Grammar attendance can put you on the back foot along with private school kids and that includes for Uni too.

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