School Selection and relocation

[dreamarindam]

Hi All,

I live in Hounslow (post code - TW3 1NN) and my daughter will be on year 3 from Sept 2014. So ,I am now started thinking to plan everything what we need to get so that she can get a good grammar school. I have heard there are 13 grammar school in Bucks county and Tiffin Girls in Kingston and Reading grammar school are also good. I have enrolled her from Sept 2014 in AE Tuitions.

So need some suggestion for the following -

1. where I will get all the admission criteria for the above schools?
2. Should we need to relocate somewhere even before she confirms a slot in any school or else even she can not apply anywhere?
3. if so any suggestions which is very convenient area for relocation with Public convenience as we both work full time.

Thanks in advance for your help

[Tinkers]

As of this year Kendrick in Reading have changed their admissions criteria and you need to be in catchment on the date you apply to take the test, (June time) to stand any chance of getting a place. Kendrick have a catchment of approx 15 miles. (Previously you could move after the test upto the end of January and still be counted as being in catchment). In the two years Kendrick have had a catchment, no one outside has got a place. This mirrors Reading school, which has had a catchment for longer.

I believe (but not sure) that Tiffin girls now also have a similar size catchment (so there's no overlap) but don't know when you need to be in catchment to count.

I have no idea about the bucks schools, have never looked as was never an option.

Best place to check are the schools' own websites. Bear in mind that admissions criteria can and do change though, so you may make plans only for them to change.

[Sally-Anne]

Welcome!

Sound advice from Tinkers on checking each school's admissions policy, and on bearing in mind that they can change.

At present, your only possible option for Bucks grammar schools is Burnham Grammar, and even that may not be achievable on distance.

Please, please, whatever you do, look at travel arrangements to any possible schools before you go any further at all with the idea of the 11+.

We see far too many people on here who put their child through months or years of tuition and all the stress of the test or tests. Once the child is successful, they suddenly wake up and say: "Ah! Now how are we going to get him or her there?"

It is heart-breaking to see people contemplating a journey for an 11 year-old from e.g. Luton to Reading, simply because "it is a grammar school".

If you decide to relocate within striking distance of your current area, schools that would possibly open up to you are Beaconsfield High School, Dr Challoners High School and possibly Chesham Grammar.

All Bucks places are allocated against a fixed pass mark, and then (in essence) distance.

Sally-Anne

[Yamin151]

Good advice from everyone re relocation etc, but I wanted to pop in and say think very carefully about any extra tuition in year 3, you said your dd in year 3 this September and you'll start tutoring at same time? I feel starting this early is not necessary and can stress a child unnecessarily, unless you genuinely feel she wants the extra challenge (and most y3s don't in my experience). Many here including me feel that 11 plus tutoring begun at the start of year 5 was percectly sufficient to achieve the marks necessary if your child is suited to the GS environment.
Enrolling with a professional outfit may be more to do with them wanting to sell more places than because it achieves better results.

[Tinkers]

Good advice from everyone re relocation etc, but I wanted to pop in and say think very carefully about any extra tuition in year 3, you said your dd in year 3 this September and you'll start tutoring at same time? I feel starting this early is not necessary and can stress a child unnecessarily, unless you genuinely feel she wants the extra challenge (and most y3s don't in my experience). Many here including me feel that 11 plus tutoring begun at the start of year 5 was percectly sufficient to achieve the marks necessary if your child is suited to the GS environment.
Enrolling with a professional outfit may be more to do with them wanting to sell more places than because it achieves better results.

Yes, I forgot to comment on this aspect. We only started DIY tuition at the beginning of year 5. We didn't even think DD was capable of getting into Kendrick until mid year 4. Year 3 is very early, and potentially too early.

[southbucks3]

Depending on where you both work relocating to bucks is an option for commuting into London, there are good links from many areas and great primary schools. The upper schools are also small, friendly and safe if your daughter did not make it into grammar, which is something you must consider.

Your daughter will need to settle into middle school before attempting any extra tuition, as this in itself is a big transition as sand and water play is swapped for more serious subjects with less play time too. Heaping on extra work, when she will just start getting school home work for the first time in her life, seems a little harsh.

Just as an aside, so you hopefully do not make the mistake in future:

if so any suggestions which is very convenient area for relocation with Public convenience as we both work full time.

"public convenience" means public toilet. I assume you meant public transport or public services?

[Peridot]

Hi dreamarindam,
You are already in the designated area for Tiffin Girls with a TW3 post code. If your daughter gained a place she could travel on the 281 bus to central Kingston, then catch the 65 bus which stops outside the school; or it's a 15 minute walk for that last leg.

I have no idea about catchments for other schools: you need to look at each school's own website under Admissions.

I would agree with others that if you are starting tutoring in year 3 that is two years too early. We started tuition for both of our children at the beginning of year 5. Tuition centres charge a great deal of money and seem to try to attract parents of younger and younger children. It's just not necessary and will cost you a fortune.

[Stroller]

The library in the Treaty Centre in Hounslow is excellent. That's where I would put the focus for the next 12-18 months at least. If English isn't your first language, borrow unabridged audio CDs from the children's section and play them with your child at home or if you are driving together.

Listen to children's radio programmes available as podcasts from Radio 4 Extra: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4extra/progra ... /childrens" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you don't have a CD player, subscribe to Audible Books, which you can listen to on an MP3 player or a laptop.

Encourage your child to read in English. There are lots of recommended authors here.

For Maths, learn tables really well and keep up with homework. That would be a great foundation.

[VH73]

I agree with southbucks3, middle school is a big transition, less play, a lot more work in class and homework too. Far too early to start, just make sure he does well in school and reads a lot.
I started preparation in y4, in the spring term.

[Peridot]

The library in the Treaty Centre in Hounslow is excellent. That's where I would put the focus for the next 12-18 months at least. If English isn't your first language, borrow unabridged audio CDs from the children's section and play them with your child at home or if you are driving together.

Listen to children's radio programmes available as podcasts from Radio 4 Extra: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4extra/progra ... /childrens" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you don't have a CD player, subscribe to Audible Books, which you can listen to on an MP3 player or a laptop.

Encourage your child to read in English. There are lots of recommended authors here.

For Maths, learn tables really well and keep up with homework. That would be a great foundation.

I strongly agree with everything Stroller has said. Libraries are a fantastic resource. As regards times tables, we bought our children a Times Tables CD that they sang/chanted along to to help consolidate their learning. You can do all of this yourself without any need for a tutor.