Which Grammar?

CatSmile · Post by **CatSmile** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:48 pm

Hi - I'm new to this but have read many brilliant, supportive and informative posts on this forum. I'm just preparing my son for the September selection tests in Bexley (and Kent!!) and was wondering if anyone out there has any 'insider' knowledge of the Grammar Schools. They all seem to have wonderful, glossy prospectuses and websites and most have great Ofsteads. My son has his heart set on BETHS, but recently someone warned me that it wasn't a place for the 'quiet or sensitive boy'. I wasn't sure how to take that and would love to know how other parents with children at the Bexley and Kent Grammars have found them 'in the flesh' so to speak. Hope this isn't a leading question - but would love to hear from you.

Thanks - CatSmile

Bexley Mum 2 · Post by **Bexley Mum 2** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:49 pm

On the contrary, I think Beths IS the best place in Bexley for a quiet sensitive boy - and lots of other types too! My eldest is the quiet sensitive type and he seems quite happy there. I go to the school from time to time for various reasons and it never ceases to amaze me how calmly the boys move around at lesson change time and how polite they are. The individual seems to be respected and it's not considered "uncool" to be clever. My second son starts there in September and my only reservations about him going there were that he's not the quiet sensitive type and I thought he might prefer somewhere a bit more boisterous and with girls! However, I felt Beths had more to offer him than the alternatives.

Beths open evenings are a dream compared to the utter chaos of the other schools (including all the grammars - BG have now adopted a "fend for yourself" approach). At Beths you will be given clear directions to the car park as soon as you drive onto the premises, you will have your own student escort (or possibly two) and there will be lots of interesting things for you to see. It's still fairly hectic as so many parents visit but they definitely put on the best show (I've done all the grammars twice in the last 3 years!)

If you're doing it for the first time there will be lots for you to think about - good luck!

CatSmile · Post by **CatSmile** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:36 pm

Thank you for that Bexley Mum - I quite agree about the open evenings! We went last year just to have an early idea (sadly missed the others) and this is what swung it for my son. Appart from being overwhelmed by the size of the school (compared to primary of course) he was convinced this was the school for him. I had to warn him it wouldn't be easy getting in, especially as we live in Belvedere and he's our first on the journey. I will take him to see the others too and back to BETHS so he gets an all round view. What you've said has been very reassuring!

Bexley Mum 2 · Post by **Bexley Mum 2** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:29 pm

Catsmile - we live in Belvedere too. Last year the distance for Beths dropped dramatically and we'd probably have been outside the catchment area. I'm told that this was just due to a high concentration of eligible children living closer to the school than normal - not a reflection of increased demand on places. This year it's gone back to what it normally is so you should be OK in terms of distance. And, there's a handy 601 which stops at the top of Picardy/Nuxley Road, drops them off near the school and does the same in reverse. Not so easy to get to the other grammars.

I know the school seems big after primary but it's actually one of the smallest secondaries in the Borough.

I'm having a year off this year, but back on the 11+ bandwagon next year!

CatSmile · Post by **CatSmile** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:29 pm

Thanks Again Bexley Mum - your positive feedback and encouragement are very much appreciated!

Tracy · Post by **Tracy** » Fri Jun 06, 2008 7:27 pm

Hi CatSmile,

My daughter is in year 7 at Bexley Grammar and absolutely LOVES it! The pastoral care at this school is superb. No regrets sending her there whatsoever. Happy to answer any questions regarding this school.

Bexley · Post by **Bexley** » Sat Jun 07, 2008 5:13 pm

Hi, my dd is in yr7 at one of Bexley's grammars.

She is very happy there, but also has friends in yr7 at the other 3 selectives who are equally as happy (all in their 1st choice schools). Obviously they all saw different things in the different schools, so I would say go with your and your son's gut instinct as to which school will suit him the best.

Good luck for September

CatSmile · Post by **CatSmile** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:09 pm

Dear Tracy, Dear Bexley

Thank you so much for your replies - sorry to be so slow to answer - havent ad time to hit the internet this weekend. It's good to positive feed back on the schools - I'll be keeping it all in mind when we do the open evenings!!

Thanks also for your good wishes for september - keeping my fingers, toes and everything else crossed!! It's just sooooo stressful - trying to keep everything low key but still keeping up with practice. Just the mention of the words 'test' or 'time' send my son into a foul mood - so we've agreed just to to the practice papers untimed and in shorter chunks for now. Odd thing is, when he did a maths paper under test conditions at home he got nearly half the questions wrong - but during his 11+ revision class he scored over 85% - maybe it's me that makes him nervous and panicky???!

Anyway - thanks again guys!!

Clark69 · Post by **Clark69** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 2:48 pm

Are you aware that the Head at Bexley Grammar is leaving this July?

I went to view it in September 2007 and it wasn't even mentioned. I think that will be a shock for some of the parents of the new year 7's starting this September as the Head has such a bearing on the direction of a school. I went for the safe route and chose Townley but unable to give any first hand experience as daughter starts in September.

Tracy · Post by **Tracy** » Tue Jun 10, 2008 3:25 pm

I have no probs with the person who will take over as head. He is an existing Deputy. This departure has been known in the borough since before Christmas although it could have been made clearer to prospective parents.

The Head at Erith is also leaving soon.