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

Eleven Plus (11+) in South West Hertfordshire

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mushroom
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:07 am

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

Post 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?
magwich2
Posts: 866
Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 5:33 pm

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

Post 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.
BarnetDad
Posts: 395
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:51 pm

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

Post by BarnetDad »

Good to hear someone dissing rankings...
scary mum
Posts: 8840
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:45 pm

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

Post 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?)
scary mum
Namajo
Posts: 40
Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2011 3:11 pm

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

Post 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
scary mum
Posts: 8840
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:45 pm

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

Post by scary mum »

I will pm you.
scary mum
hopeful5
Posts: 120
Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 10:33 pm

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

Post 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.
leanmeamum
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 4:14 pm

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

Post 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
tiffinboys
Posts: 8022
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:00 pm
Location: Surrey

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

Post 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
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Tdada
Posts: 28
Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2013 6:31 pm

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

Post by Tdada »

We turned done Watford Grammar/QE for Habs Boys......cheaper than being divorced by my DW which was the other option
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