Should my son sit the 12+
Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:20 am
Hi everyone
I was hoping for some advice and maybe to hear about your own experiences. I've noted from the sticky that we will have to make a decision soon if we want to register our son for the 12+, and it would be helpful to hear from both those parents who did go down that road, and those that decided against it.
Our son missed out on the 11+ (115), but his school fully supported his appeal (which we lost) and had ranked him 1:1 and, if I remember correctly, 5th in the order of suitablity. Subsequently he got all 5s for his SATs, getting 5a for science, just missing a 5a for maths and a 5c for english. With these scores it appears that he may be allowed to sit the 12+. The thing now is, we're not sure if it would be in his best interest.
He's settled really well in year 7 at his upper school, has joined extracurricular clubs and is auditioning for the school production, and has really begun to become a confident young man. He loves his school and his teachers, and comes home everynight and completes his homework before I get home from work. Even if he does pass the 12+, I know there isn't any guarantees that he'll get a grammar school place, as we're in catchment for John Hampden, and I noted that they didn't appear to have any spaces. My gut instinct is to leave him where he is for now, but then, I'd hate for him to miss out any opportunities he may be able to have.
What would you do?
Thanks for any advice.
Sharon
I was hoping for some advice and maybe to hear about your own experiences. I've noted from the sticky that we will have to make a decision soon if we want to register our son for the 12+, and it would be helpful to hear from both those parents who did go down that road, and those that decided against it.
Our son missed out on the 11+ (115), but his school fully supported his appeal (which we lost) and had ranked him 1:1 and, if I remember correctly, 5th in the order of suitablity. Subsequently he got all 5s for his SATs, getting 5a for science, just missing a 5a for maths and a 5c for english. With these scores it appears that he may be allowed to sit the 12+. The thing now is, we're not sure if it would be in his best interest.
He's settled really well in year 7 at his upper school, has joined extracurricular clubs and is auditioning for the school production, and has really begun to become a confident young man. He loves his school and his teachers, and comes home everynight and completes his homework before I get home from work. Even if he does pass the 12+, I know there isn't any guarantees that he'll get a grammar school place, as we're in catchment for John Hampden, and I noted that they didn't appear to have any spaces. My gut instinct is to leave him where he is for now, but then, I'd hate for him to miss out any opportunities he may be able to have.
What would you do?
Thanks for any advice.
Sharon