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Secondary education

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Original poster

Should I trust the 11+?

20 replies

LynetteScavo · 25/07/2009 20:50

DS1 is due to take the 11 plus this year.

Our local schools are;

*Boys Grammar (outstanding in every area, so say Ofsted)

*Bi-lateral -as we are out of catchment he would need to take 11+ to get in, but wouldn't need to score as highly as he would for boys grammar. A good school but large (About 1,500 pupils) He doesn't cope well in crowds or a fast paced environment - which this would be.

*A couple of secondarys - he could walk to, (and walk into), but neither are at all thrilling. (read; he won't be going to either over unless it's over my dead body)

  • A comprehensive school I think is fantastic, an hours bus drive away, but he will definately get into becuase it's a faith school. (And he happens to be of the apropriate faith.)

Now, to gain a place at the grammar school he needs to be in the top 2%, which he probably isn't. Realistically he is somewhere in the top 10%. He would have to WORK if by magic he gained a place at the grammar school.

Should I trust the 11+ results, and put the grammar school first? He does very well on test papers - but if he gets in then what? The lazy boy would have to do his home work!

Or should I just put the faith comprehensive knowing he will get in, and will have an apropriate education?

Well done if you've read this far!

OP posts:
H1N1Mary · 25/07/2009 20:59

Is the order on the form critically important? Can you not put more than one of your preferred choices?
He'll have to work hard wherever he goes, surely. If you feel he'd end up working hard but still struggling at grammar, then send him to the faith-based comp.
If you feel he would keep up at the grammar if he just pulled his finger out, then why not give it a whirl?
What does your ds1 think of the available options?

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 25/07/2009 21:35

The order on the form is improtant - we can put a choice of six schools.

DS1 liked the bi-lateral school because they handed out chocolate on the open evening. - and Dad went there.Dad is ace, there fore the school must be ace. hmm]
Actually they had put on a superb open evening, and the pupil who shoes us around was fantastic - a real credit to the school.

OP posts:
Mybox · 25/07/2009 21:41

I'd look at the activities on offer - what else the kids do besides their school work (which is of course very important). Does he like sports, music, drama? If a school offers these as well as the hard work aspect then I'd go for that school.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 25/07/2009 21:46

He likes sport and music, but isn't particularly good at either - actually all the schools are equally strong on these, I think.

His strong point is his academic ability.

OP posts:
scienceteacher · 25/07/2009 21:48

Does he thrive when others pull him up, or does he need to be at the top of the class?

Heated · 25/07/2009 21:49

Does it matter positionally where the grammar school goes on the form, because if he makes the cut-off figure, he's in?

Then a decision about whether the faith comp or his Dad's alma mater 1st or 2nd on the form?

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 25/07/2009 21:53

He used to need to be at the top of the class. In infant school he would be furious if some one was faster to finish their work -or got a higher score in a maths test.

Recently he has learned that if he plays dumb, he is given easier work, which takes less time to complete,takes less effort, and as he is allowed to play on the computers when he has finished his work. He's had a lovely Y5....playing on the computers.

OP posts:
stroppyknickers · 25/07/2009 21:56

but you'll be choosing post results, yes? so if he gets a grammar place send him there. i have similar dilemma with lazy moo dd who is top set, etc but hates working. So part of me thinks grammar is pointless and will involve lots of tantrums over hard work. the other part thinks she will just slip into the bottom set and hang out with the cool kids given half a chance

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 25/07/2009 22:03

IWe are choosing pre test results. Forms have to be in a week after the test is taken at the latest.

Ds doesn't um.....do home work. He school refused for a year, so I'm pleased if he just attends. One step at a time.

OP posts:
stroppyknickers · 25/07/2009 22:21

Will your school comment? Ours pretty much ignores the existence of grammar schools, in a fair way.

seeker · 26/07/2009 06:27

My instinctive response to your post is that the faith school is the way to go. My dd is at a grammar school and it it VERY full on - they hit morning registration running and don't stop til home time! And that isn't one of the super selectives, which is what I guess you are talking about for your ds, just an ordinary grammar. I think if you have concerns about him because of the school refusal thing then I do think a super selective might be a step too far.

How would he deal with the journey though? Would there be other people going to the same school who live locally? It might be a bit difficult to organize his social life otherwise.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 26/07/2009 09:16

His current headmaster thinks the faith school would be perfect for him, but then he is a little biased.

The faith school doesn't stream - all classes are taught in tutor groups for the first two years, which I think would be a plus for him, as he would feel more secure and less cofused. Not sure how I feel about not streaming over all, though.

Thanks seeker - the faith school is actually only 10 miles away - only a 15 min drive, but the school bus stops at all the villages so takes ages. He's not a big socialiser, so won't be bothered if he doesn't see his friends during the holidays. He'll cope fine with the journey - obsesed as he is by anything with wheels!

OP posts:
margotfonteyn · 26/07/2009 11:21

I had a lazy boy who went to highly selective grammar school.....and he loved it!

However, he didn't work as hard as he should have done. He probably 'underachieved' slightly at GCSE but there was no choice as to the subjects he took really so ended up with decent GCSEs and A levels and place at Russell Group university.

It is hard at a highly selective grammar school but it is also v hard to keep in the top sets at a good comp. I think my DS would not have kept the effort up to stay in the top sets and would have taken the easy route as far as 'soft' GCSEs were concerned and would have worked with the least effort possible. At least at the GS he was forced encouraged to take academic subjects and the onus was off us as parents as far as his 'choices' were made. I just wanted him to be guaranteed to pass his GCSES!

IMO it is v hard for a lazy but bright boy to keep up the momentum when there is an easier option

cornsillk · 26/07/2009 11:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 27/07/2009 15:24

But if he does mamage to score highly enough to be offered a place at the grammer school....who am I to say "Oh no dear, you won't be able to keep up".

That is my dilema. Who knows better, me or the test?

OP posts:
cornsillk · 27/07/2009 15:26

Hi Lynette
Where does he want to go? Does he have any preferences?

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 27/07/2009 15:33

He doesn't really care.

He's sees all 3 as having plus and minus points. the school that handed out chocolate coins in the corridor on open evening seemed to impress him.

He'd rather just stay at home.

OP posts:
cornsillk · 27/07/2009 18:07

LOL our boys are so alike!
Why not let him sit the 11+ and see how he does? Have you spoken to the schools about how they would handle things if he began to refuse again? That might help you to make a choice.

Original poster
LynetteScavo · 27/07/2009 18:39

That's an excellent point, cornsilk!

I will do that!

OP posts:
katiestar · 29/07/2009 19:22

I have a DS who goes to a grammar school (not as selective as yours) and it really is the best thing for him.They don't let him slack.

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