Child in year 5? Already thinking of secondary schools? Thinking of applying to grammar schools? Confused as to what to do? Here is your Bible from a parent who went through hell and back!
Before I start with anything, I would like to explain what a grammar school is and the special exams, 11+, that the child needs to take in order to considered for such schools. A grammar school is a secondary school which admits students based on abilities (most schools look at academics whereas some schools look at music and sporting abilities). The academic standard they look for is year 7/8 standard by the way so most of the things expected in the exams are not learnt in schools! The reason why parents would like their child to go to a grammar school is because it is more academic then normal schools therefore providing better prospects for the future. However, as with secondary school, there is a distance limit so if you are not luck enough to live near a grammar school, your child needs to do exceptionally well in the exams for them to be considered for such schools As an Asian, unfortunately, you can't escape the question ' Is your kids doing the 11+?' Parents treat this as an extreme sport. I know parents who start preparing from reception, booking tuition place with popular tuition masters in year 4 and even shifting homes closer to a grammar school! I told you it was an extreme sport!
I wasn't that bad though. I did ask Lucky if she wanted to have a go at these exams. I want my child to have all opportunities to try. She agreed. Maths isn't her strongest topic so we put her to a popular group tuition where she struggled. This tuitions will try and squeeze in so many topics in half a school year so the other half, they can just do practise papers after practise papers. Lucky was overwhelmed and so was I. The kids were just meant to pick it up as fast. So 1-1 tuition was arranged but apparently i was too late as again, there was so much to learn and 1 year isn't enough! Told you it was madness. Anywaysm, along with tuition, Lucky did practise papers at home. The internet had so many worksheets and papers all for free. Grammar school websites also have their practise papers. We also used books such as Bond and CGP to practise. I put Lucky to mock exams which she found quite useful in terms of building confidence and knowing the format of the papers for certain schools. It is quite expensive but if your kid is serious about this, then it is worth a try. They can be found here: https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk. After the exam, they go through common questions and tips on how to answer some questions. A day after the exam, you are sent the marks with a report on how well they did compared to others. It was a good confidence booster for Lucky which will help her in any exams. It was a £70 well spent (per exam).
Around May time, the different grammar schools will start putting up information on application deadline and exam dates so make sure you check carefully. You can't sit the 11+ at a school without registering your child. The exams start in early September, when your child enters year 6, right up to January. For most, the exams are in September and results in October before the secondary school placement application deadline. Private schools usually are the ones where exams are after October. If you are interested in a private school, there is a fee for applying to sit an exam. There will be an exam and if done well, an interview too!
While on this happening, don't forget that simultaneuously, you need to apply for 'normal' secondary schools. Open evenings happen in September. I didn't know this so by the time, the kids settled back to school and fishing off the 11+ exams, most of the open evenings were over. So my advice will be to note down dates in August itself. You have a choice of 6 schools to apply for. The deadline for applying is October. I took Lucky to a few open evenings as she's the one that needs to feel the schools. It's a great way to see how a school works, how pupils and staff are and have a feel of the environment. If you are a working parent like me, open evenings are also in the evenings or you can arrange your own tour by emailing the school directly. Before applying, make sure both you ad your child agree on your preferences. You'll be surprised to know how many parents apply without consulting their kids but ultimately they are the ones who are going to spend 5-7 years in this school.
Lucky hasn't got into any of the grammar schools but as I always said to her, it was just trying and if anything, this is a good practise for the year 6 SATS exams. The outcomes for our secondary school is in March so fingers crossed, we get the school we want!
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