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Choice to make: BSB or moving away?

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:24 am
by sumstuff
Hi.

I posted this in the general 11 plus forum but someone has suggested it might be worth posting here to get some advice from people who live in my area.

My husband and I have two boys and live very close to Bournemouth School for Boys. We have a few options open to us as we do not have ties in this area. We can either stay and have the boys take the entrance test to BSB, however if they fail, they have to go to a secondary which is in special measures - Winton School for Boys. Or, we can move to Hampshire and choose the catchment, I was considering Thornden in Chandler's Ford which has good results but isn't selective.

Is anyone familiar with BSB? Is it really really difficult to get into? Are most places taken by children who attend one of the many prep schools in the area? My boys are bright, but not knowledgeable and very laid back. My eldest currently attends Queens Park Infants which is fine at the moment but it feeds into Queens Park Juniors which doesn't have a very good history of having children go on to either of the Grammar schools so would we need to provide him with tuition? At a push we might be able to afford to send them to a prep school years 3-6 if it was best for them.

Would you put your children through it if you didn't have to? Do the benefits of attending a grammar school outweigh the stress of winning a place for bright but by no means genius children.

I would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

Many thanks.

Re: Choice to make: BSB or moving away?

Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 9:53 am
by bustwinks
Hi sumstuff, my DD has just got a place at BSG in Sepetember and I would just like to say that she comes from a Hampshire primary school and got in without any tutouring, apart form some practise papers in the Summer holidays of year 5.

I must admit I was a little anxious on the day of the Exam when alot of girls turned up in their very posh school uniforms, obvioulsy from the Independent schools, I thought that's it we have no chance!.

Would also like to add that DD Junior school had no interest in the 11+, although they did quietly praise her when they knew she had a place.

At the end of the day you as their mother will know if they are bright enough to get it, and do the kids want to go, my DD really wanted to go, so I think that was half the battle one.

Good luck

Hope that was of some help, but not much I feel :D :D

Re: Choice to make: BSB or moving away?

Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:14 am
by bumblebee
Hi Sumstuff
My eldest is at Bournemouth School in year 7. He came through a not very good state primary, so No not all the boys come through the prep schools by any means, though a number do. The numbers of boys taking the 11plus for BS for the last couple years has been around 450 for 150 places, so its certainly not beyond the reach of bright children.
From your post it sounds as though your DS's are still young so you have plenty of time to consider all your options.
Bournemouth School is a really nice school and you you certainly dont have to be a genius to thrive there.
I would advise you to take a good look through this website and consider whether you are able to work with your DS's toward the 11plus. As your children are still young this could be as simple as reading with them, building their vocabulary; nailing times table etc etc.
The school is very approachable so do call them with any queries and go along to the open evening in the Autumn.