Suitability for grammar school
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2019 1:07 pm
I am trying to work out if grammar school is potentially the right place for my son. So I know that this is not a question that anyone else can answer, but I was hoping that some of you might be willing to share your own situations, so I can get an idea of the type of children that are thriving.
My son is only in Y3, so I am just pondering at the moment. He is probably in the top three in Maths and the top two or three in English. He is a good all-rounder (good at sport too). He does have a tendency towards perfectionism, in that he both gives up very easily if he isn't top, and he dismisses himself as not being bright if he isn't top. These two things worry me in a grammar school context (but he is only 8 so he has time to develop a little more resilience).
My daughter will be sitting 11+ exams this year, but she is an entirely different kettle of fish. She is top of a very academic class, and loves competition and needs a challenge.
My concern is that for my son, all of the schools near us are super-selective (e.g. Sutton schools and St Olaves). I'm worried that the standard will be broadly higher than in the girls grammars, and that my son may be happier in a school where he can potentially be a high-flyer, compared to a grammar school where he wouldn't be a high flyer. At the same time, I'm worried that not trying (when his sister is), will make him feel like he is already not good enough. He is a bright boy, he is exceeding at everything, but he isn't miles above his peers.
So, my question is - for those boys who are thriving at the Sutton grammar - are they all exceptionally bright, top of their primary classes? Or is their space for a bright boy who isn't clearly miles above his peers (even if he is a good all rounder and is strong at everything)? Are any of your boys like that doing well?
We do have to visit the schools, so I really am just trying to get an idea of who the super selectives suit!
Thanks so much!
My son is only in Y3, so I am just pondering at the moment. He is probably in the top three in Maths and the top two or three in English. He is a good all-rounder (good at sport too). He does have a tendency towards perfectionism, in that he both gives up very easily if he isn't top, and he dismisses himself as not being bright if he isn't top. These two things worry me in a grammar school context (but he is only 8 so he has time to develop a little more resilience).
My daughter will be sitting 11+ exams this year, but she is an entirely different kettle of fish. She is top of a very academic class, and loves competition and needs a challenge.
My concern is that for my son, all of the schools near us are super-selective (e.g. Sutton schools and St Olaves). I'm worried that the standard will be broadly higher than in the girls grammars, and that my son may be happier in a school where he can potentially be a high-flyer, compared to a grammar school where he wouldn't be a high flyer. At the same time, I'm worried that not trying (when his sister is), will make him feel like he is already not good enough. He is a bright boy, he is exceeding at everything, but he isn't miles above his peers.
So, my question is - for those boys who are thriving at the Sutton grammar - are they all exceptionally bright, top of their primary classes? Or is their space for a bright boy who isn't clearly miles above his peers (even if he is a good all rounder and is strong at everything)? Are any of your boys like that doing well?
We do have to visit the schools, so I really am just trying to get an idea of who the super selectives suit!
Thanks so much!