Amazed

Eleven Plus (11+) in Essex

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Proud Dad
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:24 pm

Amazed

Post by Proud Dad »

Is it just me or is anyone else stunned that despite months of planning and looking forward to the 11+ there are a lot of people only now thinking of the logistics of how to get to the school they have entered their children for and realising that it is a problem? Surely that was a factor in deciding schools!
moved
Posts: 3826
Joined: Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:42 pm
Location: Chelmsford and pleased

Post by moved »

Just you.

Many people need to change their arrangements between October and March. Perhaps a two car family became one. Who knows? Who are we to judge?

Some of these queries are asking those who have experience of the travel to give guidance as to the best route, etc. Often there are many ways to reach point A from B.

As this forum is almost universally positive and supportive it is a place where people are happy to ask questions and not feel that they will be criticised for their decisions regarding their children's education.
Proud Dad
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:24 pm

Post by Proud Dad »

[quote="moved"]Just you.

[b]You mean you don't agree, but others may do[/b]

Some of these queries are asking those who have experience of the travel to give guidance as to the best route, etc. Often there are many ways to reach point A from B.

[b]I was not referring to those seeking advice on best routes, rather those who seem to have only now discovered that a school miles away might be a problem to get to.[/b]

As this forum is almost universally positive and supportive it is a place where people are happy to ask questions and not feel that they will be criticised for their decisions regarding their children's education.[/quote]

[b]I am all for positivity where due but as it is a forum allowing thoughts to be shared, I did[/b]
Chai
Posts: 156
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:41 pm

Post by Chai »

<<I was not referring to those seeking advice on best routes, rather those who seem to have only now discovered that a school miles away might be a problem to get to>>

I can only speak for me. I put down a school which was one of the choices for DD, hoping this would not happen. The distance from home to schoool is "doable" but not exactly near to us. If she was then allocated that school, then I would start thinking about how to get her there. I would not have thought about the logistics at all, but only because I probably thought that would never happen to us :lol: . Meanwhile, pre-11+ results, I would have been hoping (like mad) that she got her first choice.

Also, say I put Chelmsford down. I know there are trains. I have seen children from CCHS in my town. They must all go by coach somewhere or there must be some form of getting to that school from my town. I hear some mothers talking and they agree that there is a coach etc etc....Maybe I sit on the decision. Then last day for application and all, I make a choice and never think about it again. And so, now, I am thinking about it :oops: .

Choosing schools for children is not easy. We all want the best for our kids and so maybe that makes us choose irrationally in the end ...or sometimes procrastination has snookered us in like this (not an excuse, just a possible reason).
GibsonES335
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:29 am

Post by GibsonES335 »

There is little point in sorting out transport until you know a place is allocated.

Get the place first, the rest is detail!

Just my view.
Chai
Posts: 156
Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:41 pm

Post by Chai »

...very short and sweet summary! That's exactly what I thought in the end after days of mulling over it with DD.
Just1-2go
Posts: 523
Joined: Wed Apr 01, 2009 4:43 pm
Location: Twells

Post by Just1-2go »

I have mixed feelings about this one, before putting down a school on my DDs form I tested the journey myself just to see what a nightmare it would be.

Saying that if your nearest schools are absolutely not what you want then I think you'll work out the "details" when the time comes.

Horses for courses!
Chelmsford mum
Posts: 2113
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:16 pm

Post by Chelmsford mum »

I do understand , to a degree, the first poster's point.Last year I had a few communications with someone trying to get from Ilford to Colchester. (CRGS) This was 82 miles round trip and a car was not an option.After weeks of research, she had to give up the place.
In Chai and Gibson's case, you did know that it was a "doable" journey.There are a few people who, because they have 6 places on their CAF, put non doable schools down and this increases weeks of worry for those on waiting lists in that area.It is their perfect right but in extreme cases, not tempered by wisdom.
I know it is not intentional and we are all doing "the best" for our children.I can't help but feel that some of this would be lessened if everyone only had 4 places on their form, like here in Essex.People would check that they were naming schools they could actually get to.
I do want to stress that I am not aiming this at people who are coming long journeys but know there is a route that is manageable.
babes
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:38 pm

Post by babes »

hi all, I had this dileama, dd did very well in her exams she ranked 17 for Woodford County and 22 for Chelmsford. We live in Chigwell so getting the coach to Chelmsford would be tuff but we would have managed if she did not get her first choice.

I think this time is so hard for all but I think in Sept when the kids make friends and become more independent we will all realise that we have made the right choice. At the end of the day kids should enjoy school it schould be a postive experience and not all about top marks. Kids need to beable to socialise, have other intresets to.

Good luck to all and thanks for all the response that I have recieved, will be doing this all again wih DS one in Year 3 and one in pre school.
mw
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:15 pm

Post by mw »

Hi, babes,

Congratulations to you and your DD. Excellent results!

BTW, do you mind to post your DD's redbridge scores? I did see her essex scores in your other post. Thanks a lot.

MW
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