To go for it or not?

[Grammarschooldilemma]

DS1 in going into year 9 in a boys super selective grammar and is thriving. He had tutoring for a year from beginning of year 5

DS2 is 9 and going into year 5. Has said he wants to try out for the same grammar. Now of course we can’t say no, but he is a completely different kettle of fish from DS1. He’s very clever but is a dilly dallier, will do as little as can be gotten away with, loves to read but hates writing. Lacks that sort of self discipline and organisation that DS1 has in spades.
DS2 wants to be a chef and cooks and bakes constantly, watches food programmes, goes to cooking classes etc. Of course he’s only 9.
The grammar school does a year of of cooking in year 8 and that’s it.
The local comp is rough and ready and has a bit of a reputation, is boys only, but it does food science GCSE and you can also do a WJEC whatever that is at A level in food, or of course there are a couple of FE colleges nearby where you can do catering.

I suppose my question is, is it worth the hard work to study to get in to a school you seem fundamentally unsuited for and would probably hate the pace and pressure? But is much much better academically and pastorally? I mean, he’s clever and he may well get in, and at this point that does not seem ideal!

But how can I say no you can’t even try?

No other schools in the area? Superselective boys grammar and rough comprehensive without any other schools?
I would definitely not rely on career choices of a 9 years old.
Superselective grammar may be good because it is ...superselective and is driven by the fact that the kids are able. It may not be so great academically as the teachers can be average and those kind of schools rarely have a great pastoral care.

Anyway, remember that in comprehensive schools are sets and the kids from top sets are not less capable than those in grammar school. Also, your younger kid may find his passion and go further than the one graduating from grammar school

I think WJEC is just the exam board for that course.

Does your son know about the two options?

I would have a conversation with him saying exactly what you’ve said here.

That said, is there really no middle ground school?

We will go on open days this autumn so he will know more
There are four options

1. mixed comp but in reality 70% boys. Historically would not have got in on distance but suppose may do now
2. underachieving boys comp, nurturing and I liked it for DS1 but poor results. DS2 needs pushing and would coast here I think. Friends with kids here like it but all have tales of scraps in the corridor etc which shocks me as we have nothing like that at the grammar school
3. boys comp as detailed in OP, bit more aspirational than 2 but with similar tales of scraps in corridor wtc. Was always a bit rough historically but now paired with an outstanding girls school
4. grammar

Let him try for the grammar.

If he gets a place you can nurture his love of food / cooking outside of school.

WJEC is just an exam board. One of a few that schools can decide to use for their courses.

When I say rough and ready I don’t mean rough as such, I mean just a bit unpolished and sort of how boys schools can be really! All the schools here are OK
Both the boys comps are on very main roads/dual carriageways
But the grammar is in a town centre but is a bit nicer aesthetically

If he gets to the grammar and doesn't like it he can transfer probably.
Just because he likes cooking age 9 doesn't really say anything, he may mature academically.

Agree with others – look round the schools, see what you think, see what he thinks.

He could go for the grammar school, get in, find it great, cook in his spare time. If he wants to do catering post 16, he could still go from grammar to college.

WJEC is indeed as others say an exam board (like AQA and Edexcel) but less often used in England (W stands for Welsh); but the reason it is mentioned by the school I suspect is bc there is no A level in food tech; but there is a L3 qualification (certificate or diploma) in food that is offered by WJEC. It’s not offered very often but colleges usually offer a catering course of a similar standard.

Sounds like he needs the higher expectations and academic focus of the grammar to get him to learn how to work a bit harder. I be worried he'd coast if allowed to.

This 100%