Has anyone ever gained entry to grammar after year 7

magentadreamer · 07/03/2009 12:05

Have you tried posting on the elevenplus board? www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum

Original poster

Nextsale · 07/03/2009 13:37

Thank u will give it a go having doubts that the local comp will b good enough on level 5 for sats worried so much making myself ill

OP posts:

magentadreamer · 08/03/2009 09:28

Your post got me thinking as one of DD's class mates started at one of the Grammar schools in the next town to us after the first half term in Yr7 and I'd always wondered how her parents had got her a place. According to the schools website casual admissions can be done by sitting the latest tests the appropriate year have just sat and if there is a vacancy in that year group the child could gain a place. From what it said if they had failed to get a place via the 11+ then they couldn't go down this route. Obviously the policy for schools will differ but have you looked on the school you'd like your DC to go to?

Original poster

Nextsale · 08/03/2009 14:36

Thanks not taken 11plus so can look into i can imagine though a pupil would only leave if leaving the country

OP posts:

MotherOfGirls · 09/03/2009 07:16

Phone the school and talk to admissions. While it is unlikely that a child will leave, it does sometimes happen. They may be happy to keep your details in case a place becomes free, in which case they could invite your dc to sit the exam. Some schools allow children to sit the exam regardless and then put them on a waiting list but this might be unnecessary stress if there is little chance of a place. Do contact the school you are interested in and talk to them about their policy.

MotherOfGirls · 09/03/2009 07:16

Phone the school and talk to admissions. While it is unlikely that a child will leave, it does sometimes happen. They may be happy to keep your details in case a place becomes free, in which case they could invite your dc to sit the exam. Some schools allow children to sit the exam regardless and then put them on a waiting list but this might be unnecessary stress if there is little chance of a place. Do contact the school you are interested in and talk to them about their policy.

Strawbezza · 09/03/2009 17:11

Even the grammar schools have vacancies for sixth form - I know of a few bright kids who've been to a comprehensive for years 7-11, got a boatload of GCSE's then entered the grammar school for A-levels.

In terms of entrance requirements, some grammar schools have exams (in the A-level subject choices), and some make offers based on interview/application form only. The offers are conditional on GCSE results, obviously the student has to do very well at GCSE.

Failing the 11+ doesn't mean you'll never get to grammar school.

bettany · 09/03/2009 21:33

All pupils at Cranbrook School in Kent (a free state grammar school with a fee paying boarding element) start at age 13.

westendgirl · 09/03/2009 21:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Nextsale · 09/03/2009 22:05

I should think they would welcome someone that bright with negotiating skills that good

OP posts:

Nontoxic · 09/03/2009 22:06

My DS did it last year!
He hadn't taken the 11+ but wanted to try for the school for Y9 off his own bat.
We rang the school and they had a day of tests coming up - one or two applicants for each year (although they didn't have a place for each year).
Tests were based on NC for that year (trying for Y9 in his case).
Call the school in the first instance - and don't forget to ask for a tour or the date of the next open day.

maggotts · 10/03/2009 00:58

I started at a grammar in Year 8 (because we moved into the area). Spaces will always arise because people do move, even from fab schools, and schools need to be full to get all their funding. Worth checking on an annual basis at minimum whether there are any spaces and take it from there.

Nontoxic · 10/03/2009 08:17

I'd check termly.