If your kids go to a good grammar school, please come talk to me about admissions

[AtheneNoctua]

I'm planning way ahead here (as I do). But, assuming grammar schools are still around in the next decade, I want to know how one might prepare dher children for the best chance of getting in.

Is there a national admissions test?
Does each grammar school have it's own test?
Are there things not taught in state schools that they might need to know?

I'm just an ignorant foreigner here so not sure how it all works.

I do not wish to discuss the morality of the existance of grammar schools. I want to know how best to get my kids into the best one possible as my ability to fork out for private school (which was my plan) is in question.

Such a bunfight here in RBK- thank goodness my dd is sorted.

the primary situation is awful too I have a 2 year old and we are thining of sending him private from the start as he will start when all the new permanent places are supposed to have been sorted

Some great primaries though...as long as you can get in.They all seem to be taking more this year. Where is ds?

he is at cc in surbiton and we could get ds2 in there but it depends whether it goes 3 form or not too small really as we have extra classes now and it is definitely a squash and a squeeze
excellent school though

Lovely school- know it well.

where is your ds and dd?

C hill and c girls

both very good as well

The prep schools mostly dont like the boys leaving at 11 because they miss 2 years worth of senior fees and it damages their relationship with private 13+ schools.

to all in the RBK, my ds is still a baby and dd is 3 but I am starting to worry about their secondary schools. as my husband job takes him around the country, we are not sure if we should move back down to London (from Shropshire) for her to go to an outstanding, often oversubscribed state primary (still not sure if can get into this faith school although only 5 mins walk down the road) then fight like mad to get into nonsuch secondary (for dd) and tiffin (for ds). if fail, would other state secondary schools be better than upnorth? or send them to private secondary in RBK? whereas in Shropshire, we can afford for both to go to a very good (in our opinion anyway) private primary, then hope they get into Thomas Telford/Adams Grammar/Newport Girl later on under the coaching within the school plus parental guidance at home. Of course we are looking at two different lifestyles too (north - open space/country living vs south - barbican/tate/muscial and kingston's shopping!!!!!oh I am truly deprived here). which route would you choose if you are in my shoes?

Not a case of fighting like mad to get them into grammar- it's them having the aptitude as well! You may have 2 children who are just not cut out for the academic selectives,and it's just too early to make any kind of judgement about ability.
Know nothing about where you live (have been to Ironbridge and that's about it!)
Remember, in a few years there'll be a new secondary in North Kingston too.

Move to Lincolnshire! Cheap(ish) housing, commutable to London-on a good day, grammar schools in many towns both mixed and single sex, straightforward 11+ What more could you ask for?

glad to get replies . not very good at logging on with young baby here and being fairly new to MN too..

just went to have a chat with a private primary, get the impression that the happinest of children is their main priority and main ingredient to lead a happy successful life in the future. their Yr 6 is working on level 3, not quite sure what that really means. 1 year in advance may be?? anyone know if this has any impact on secondary school performance or it doesn't really matter anyway if one is ahead in primary?

Lincolnshire eh.. hmm prob too far.. but thanks will have a look anyway...