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CRGS Question for 2013 or 2012 starters

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 9:31 am
by Saffery13
Hi I was wondering if anyone's DS gained a place with a borderline score and how they were finding the pace of the school work.

We're very borderline and just worry if he did manage to gain a place he would struggle. I guess my question boils down to is the exam score indicative of how well a boy will do and does it decide streaming/ setting etc.?

Thank you

Re: CRGS Question for 2013 or 2012 starters

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 9:54 am
by crgsmum
Do not let this put you off. The 11 plus is a snapshot of what happens on that day only. Our DS only scraped in and consistently comes in the top 25 to 30% of his year. In the current year 10 the last boy in - offered a place at the end of the first week of the september term - is, I am told, also in the top third of his year and was in the spelling bee team which won the nationals three years ago.

On the other side, boys who boasted of their top 11 plus scores in my son's year are now often in the bottom half (although when the 3rd groups of french and maths all get A or A* at GCSE the bottom half is still very very highly achieving). Some DCs are heavily coached and don't forget the massive advantage that those who come from indies have. This advantage has dropped away by the time they get to the end of year 8.

When we went to look around KEGS they had a question and answer session and I asked the deputy head who took the questions whether ones son should still go if they just scraped in above the cut. He was very clear that these boys should take their places. He said that KEGS monitors this closely and there was definitely no direct link between 11 plus results and outcome at 16.

So give your DS a big pat on the back and put CRGS down on your form. We went for CRGS as our first choice and have never regretted it for a moment. If your son is bright enough to get a place at this wonderful school go for it.

Re: CRGS Question for 2013 or 2012 starters

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 10:04 am
by Marzipan
Hi - my DD started at ColCHS this year with a score in the yellow zone. At the information evening I asked the very question that you have. The deputy head was very emphatic that 11+ scores have no bearing on success at the school and are ignored when the places are confirmed. I don't know if this is the same at CRGS but agree with the previous poster who says that the score is simply a snapshot of what they did for 3 hrs in September and not an overall assessment ( the current VR thread confirms this too).

There was a bit of discussion amongst the girls themselves which I was a little perturbed by but my DD didn't get involved!

Re: CRGS Question for 2013 or 2012 starters

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 11:23 am
by KB
If he has a place then grab it with both hands!
The scores are pretty much irrelevant once they are in the school and not used by staff in any way.
The scores are not a good indication of future performance.
One of my DSs was near the bottom but has excelled academically since (and thrived in many other ways too).
The main thing is that he enters the school with confidence and works hard.
If you haven't already told him his score then I wouldn't - getting a place is all that matters in this case.

Re: CRGS Question for 2013 or 2012 starters

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 11:40 am
by talea51
That is really useful and encouraging information crgsmum. I imagine it actually applies to all the grammar schools. Thanks for your support.

Re: CRGS Question for 2013 or 2012 starters

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:14 pm
by toolate
I would echo these comments - although its early days as DS only started CRGS this term. He was probably bottom quartile in. He seems to be doing just fine, although the music homework is a bit challenging (for all of us) as we are more sporty than musical as a family.

I have asked him about it - and amongst the boys there seems to have been no discussion at all on A) their score or B) whether they went indie/state before. None. This happened in a previous lifetime as far as they are concerned.

BUT - I think there is a very genuine question here, that does not relate to the kid who scraped it because they had an off day. If your son did loads and loads of work to get in, and had a good day and still just scraped it - it may be that he is the kind of kid that will need to work a little bit harder to keep up with the crowd. This definitely does not mean they shouldn't take the place, just if they needed alot of support to get through the 11+, they may continue to need some support at home.

My DS is bright enough, but a little slow at writing, dyslexic-terrible at spelling and a bit disorganised, possibly these traits will mean he has to pedal a bit harder to stay in the top half (his and my aim for him) than some of the kids who are naturally brilliant (which he isn't). But I am amazed by my DS's determination...and this is something the school/boys bring out in each other. I definitely feel he is in the best possible place for him.

Anyone else worried about this or want more thoughts on this please feel free to PM me.

Re: CRGS Question for 2013 or 2012 starters

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2013 5:39 pm
by Madcow
My DS made it in from the waiting list just in time for the induction day and so far seems to be keeping up with everything that's been thrown at him. Even the getting up early for the 1hr each way bus journey to school, doesn't appear to be an issue at the moment.

I am very impressed with how mature he has become in the past 6 weeks seems so very different from the little boy that left primary school 2 months ago.