Aethel wrote:
Yes, I wasn’t trying to be facetious there.
Many visitors to this forum post similar questions because they are taking the “any grammar will do” approach (note, I am not implying you do!).
We can’t reiterate enough that putting a child in for an exam they have no hope of getting a place for due to the school criteria is a) unfair to that child and b) may deprive another more local child of that chance for a place because your (capable) child has slightly raised the pass mark by doing well. this happens all the time in Bucks because there are so many well-out-of-county entrants who have virtually no chance of a place, but this makes it very difficult for naturally bright but non-tutored Bucks schoolchildren to pass and get a place in their very local grammar school. If you are Bucks or Bucks border then the very best of luck to your DC. But if you live in Kent please discount the Bucks test as it should be of no relevence to you.... we see time after time posters with names like “hopeful parent” or “really nice guy” (I hope those aren’t real usernames, apologies in advance if they are!!) who have put their DC in with the scattergun approach and sometimes even ask AFTER the test what the school criteria are, or if <insert school> is any good....
Understood, I didn't realise people did that. I agree, its extremely unfair for all involved. someone passed me a Kent 2018 past paper. I was simply interested to hear what the differences between our papers are compared to Kent.