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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Did your dc get into a grammar without you employing a tutor?

27 replies

AntonioGramsci · 30/11/2009 14:48

I am trying to understand if it is possible for a clever child to get into a grammar without being professionally tutored, by this I do not mean practicing at home on old papers. My gut feeiling is that we have all gone mad with tutoring right, left and centre and throwing away hard earned money.
So quick poll for our mumsnetters. Thank you.

OP posts:
Doobydoo · 30/11/2009 16:19

Yes

tryingtocookacurry · 30/11/2009 16:20

Yes!

Original poster
AntonioGramsci · 30/11/2009 16:37

Very pleased for your dcs! [happy]

OP posts:
Milliways · 30/11/2009 18:49

Yes (for DS, but no for DD)

We just did the practice papers from SMiths.

primarymum · 30/11/2009 18:54

I think much depends on the area. We moved from a fully comprehensive to a selective grammar area (Lincolnshire where around 25% of the higher ability children pass the 11+) when my son was in yr 7. I phoned the education authority on the Monday to ask about admissions to secondary school, they told me the local grammar was holding the exams the following day!( for some spare places in yr 7 and 9) We drove 250 miles across country and bought a set of practice papers on the way which my son read through in the car. He sat and passed the 11+ the following day! However, in an ultra selective area, I would imagine a little more practice might be needed

mumblechum · 30/11/2009 18:57

Yes. We bought some papers from Smiths and he just practiced with those.

We're in Bucks.

He loves his grammar school though he'd never admit it in public.

ChloeHandbag · 30/11/2009 18:59

Yes, well she's passed the exams and we're hoping for a place. We went over papers four weeks before.

primarymum · 30/11/2009 20:46

Just to add, second son also passed two years later, although he at least had a go at a few practice papers before hand! However his primary school refused to offer any support as the head at the time was very anti 11+ ( he was the first boy to go to the grammar in 5 years). The school now runs a lunchtime club during the summer term where a tutor comes in and works with any interested children who might want to sit the 11+ in the following Autumn-much cheaper than private tutors as the school pays!

PincoPallino · 30/11/2009 21:05

That is refreshing!

Well done to all your children (and yourself!).

CheeryCherry · 30/11/2009 21:21

May I just add to this post something I heard from my friend who teaches in a local grammar school. For the past 5 yrs, each Sept,she has asked each form of yr 7's to put up their hand of they have had tutoring prior to the 11+. So far, every pupil has done so. Unfair - yes, lots of money- yes, but its an interesting fact.

selectivememory · 01/12/2009 07:37

Yes X three!

deaddei · 01/12/2009 08:05

I can guarantee that all the 1400 plus boys sitting the Tiffin test next Tuesday will have had tutoring- some for years and more than once a week.

janinlondon · 01/12/2009 09:45

I think Sutton grammars are a whole other universe. As mentioned by Deaddei.

madamearcati · 01/12/2009 11:04

yes x 2 so far !

FritesMenthe · 01/12/2009 12:06

DNiece got into a Sutton grammar without professional tutoring. Her uncle gave some extra maths coaching, and helped her do practice papers. I think it made a huge difference having a 'neutral' adult rather than a parent taking this role.

bibbitybobbityhat · 01/12/2009 12:13

Why have you got two threads on the same subject op?

If you use the search function you will be able to find many other threads, some of them very recent, on this same subject.

MrsGuyOfChristmasBorn · 01/12/2009 12:14

Two friends of my DS got into Tiffin without a professional tutor. They did verbal and non v at home with their mum once a week for the couple of months before the exam.

Original poster
AntonioGramsci · 01/12/2009 12:20

Thank you bibbity, merely being lazy. But will check them later!

OP posts:
PincoPallino · 01/12/2009 14:45

Bobbity out of curiosity is one not allowed to start a new thread on a subject one cares about?
Surely there are many subject, if not all that could be investigated by just using the search button but wouldn't that be the end of MN???

Original poster
AntonioGramsci · 01/12/2009 21:01

Ignore, ignore.

OP posts:
charmander · 01/12/2009 21:02

Yes (Bexley)

bibbitybobbityhat · 01/12/2009 22:43

Oh hello Pinco. My message wasn't meant in an aggressive way towards Antonio. But, as she/he started an almost idential thread yesterday or the day before, which was getting loads of response, with plenty of examples of non-tutored success at 11+, I did wonder why she/he felt the need to start another. Also, apparently, this topic has been done many times before and so the archives would be a useful resource for the op seeing as she/he is looking for factual information, rather than just shooting the breeze as it were. Thats all.

However, I see that you have now been urged to ignore me, even though I went to the trouble to post twice on Antonio's other thread, so I'll close the door quietly on my way out ...

Piffle · 01/12/2009 22:47

Yes my son did
I did buy sone papers as he moved into Grammar school area at beginning of yr6 so he did the test shortly after starting ( from non GS area)
he is in yr11 now
some boys who were tutored heavily are struggling btw

PincoPallino · 01/12/2009 22:51

Sorry Bibbity maybe I did overreact because someone else on the other thread suggested the same in an obviously aggressive way.

You are right you didn't. sorry again.

GrimmaTheNome · 01/12/2009 23:03

DD did some practice papers at home in the summer hols, and then a few at school (private but not southern prep type). She's first on reserve list for an out of catchment residual place. If we'd been in catchment she'd have easily got a place.