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Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier Indie

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:32 am
by mushroom
I'm aware of people who have turned down Watford Grammar / Parmiter's etc. in favour of Habs (boys/girls), St Albans (boys/girls), Merchant Taylor, NLC etc. but has anyone turned down these selective Herts comprehensive schools for the lesser ranked indies? If so what were your reasons?

Re: Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier I

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:24 am
by magwich2
I do not know about your area but we have taken our DD out of the local girls grammar and sent her to a local indie with a much nicer ethos and MUCH less nasty behaviour. What we did not realise was the amazing class sizes in the private sector - obviously we knew they would be better but not by how much.
DS has just passed the 11+ with a good score (came 7th in county - I say this just to indicate that we need an academic environment for him) but we will not be sending him to the boys grammar as we feel the indie will ensure he stays a decent person and grows up with a much nicer attitude to women than the selective school. We feel that with all schools working towards the same (grotty) exams, the less "academic" schools in the indie sector teach just as well if not better. We would not have dared to take this view with DD1 who is now at Oxford but with hindsight we should have done so. I don't think the "ranking" of the school matters one iota and our experience has bourne this out.

Re: Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier I

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:58 am
by BarnetDad
Good to hear someone dissing rankings...

Re: Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier I

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:05 am
by scary mum
DD went to a "lesser" (non selective) indie to start with having not qualified for a GS. It served to boost her confidence enormously as she was at the top academically. We later moved her to a GS where she is thriving. I have to say that this particluar indie gets very good results at GCSE considering it's intake, but not so good at A level. DD is of the opinion that generally the teaching is better at her GS, and the class sizes not so different once GCSEs are under way. As always, go with what you think is right for your DC, if you can afford the choice.

(PS "comps" aren't selective, although maybe they are called that when they are partially selective?)

Re: Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier I

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:30 pm
by Namajo
We later moved her to a GS where she is thriving
Can I pse ask how this worked?

- What year was she in?
- Was she on a waiting list at that GS?
- Did a place come up at the GS and they contacted you, or did you contact the GS to ask if they had a place in that year eg Yr 5?

(Hope that's not too many Qs - I just want to get an overview how this worked/works.)

Namajo

Re: Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier I

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:42 pm
by scary mum
I will pm you.

Re: Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier I

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 11:24 pm
by hopeful5
Some indies have very good sports played to a high level.

Selective schools can be tough unless you are confident or good at something. If you were struggling I think it would an unpleasant place to be as you would be surrounded by high achievers who by and large are just clever.

Re: Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier I

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:38 pm
by leanmeamum
scary mum wrote:We later moved her to a GS where she is thriving.

Can You let me know how this was possible as my son has missed out on a GS place (North London). We have accepted an indie offer but a GS place would be really welcome

Re: Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier I

Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:46 pm
by tiffinboys
leanmeamum wrote:
scary mum wrote:We later moved her to a GS where she is thriving.

Can You let me know how this was possible as my son has missed out on a GS place (North London). We have accepted an indie offer but a GS place would be really welcome
Check the in-year admissions policies for year 8 onwards.

Re: Has anyone turned down a selective Comp for a 2nd Tier I

Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2013 9:49 pm
by Tdada
We turned done Watford Grammar/QE for Habs Boys......cheaper than being divorced by my DW which was the other option