As a parent, choosing the best school for your child can sometimes be a complicated process. Questions like “Should they go to a grammar school?”, “Should we prepare for the 11+?”, “What if they don't pass?” may be on your mind. Drawing on my own experience and what I've learned over the years, I want to help you understand the process more clearly.
What Is a Selective School?
England has more than 6,000 secondary schools , and most admit students without a test. But some schools are selective , admitting students based on academic ability or particular criteria. These are called Selective Schools . The best-known type of selective school is the Grammar Schools , but there are also selective schools that aren't grammar schools.
Some schools that admit by test even use unusual systems. For example, some prefer to take an equal number of students from each score band rather than the highest scorers, so a child who scores 100 and one who scores 30 could get into the same school. At other schools, half of the students are admitted by testand the other half purely on distance . So researching which schools to apply to is crucial.
What Is a Grammar School?
There are 163 grammar schools in England (there are none in Wales or Scotland). They are high-achieving state schools that admit students through a selection test . But are they right for everyone?
In general, grammar schools are schools with high academic expectations that offer disciplined, intensive teaching. But not every grammar school is better than every other school. What's more, not every school with “Grammar” in its name is a grammar school. Likewise, there are selective schools without “Grammar” in their name.
That's why parents need to research a school's quality of teaching, admissions test and leavers' results rather than deciding by name alone . In fact, sometimes a non-selective school in your area may be better than your nearest grammar school!
The Allocation System and Oversubscription Criteria
Grammar schools admit students by setting a pass mark . But when there are a lot of applicants a score alone may not be enough. If demand is high, some schools bring in distance criteria . So even if your child's score is high enough, the distance from your home to the school can affect whether they get a place.
That's why researching the oversubscription criteria carefully is so important. If you're targeting a particular school, you should even check whether you need to move a year before applying!
What Is the 11+? What Are SATs?
If your child wants to go to a grammar school, they need to sit the 11+. You need to register at the end of Year 5 , and the test takes place in September of Year 6 . With a successful score, your child can be offered a grammar school place.
SATs are tests that all pupils take at the end of Year 6 . But SATs don't measure your child's success; they are tests that measure the school's overall performance. The results may determine which set a pupil is placed in in Year 7 , but they have no direct consequences.
Should I Prepare for a Grammar School?
This is entirely a personal choice . In England, 95%of people live in areas without a grammar school nearby. So many families never even consider the grammar school option. But if you have the option of moving, why not?
Where Should I Start?
The first stepis deciding which grammar school you're aiming for. Because the 11+ isn't a single national test , and each school or council runs its own. What's more, because tests are held on the same dates, a student can only sit a few of them. So doing good research in advance is essential.
Where and When Should We Start Preparing?
This depends entirely on your child's learning style and current level .
For some children, starting early can be an advantage, while for others it can create unnecessary pressure. Some children start in Year 3, while others go through an intensive preparation period in Year 5. But starting early isn't always the right way.
Ask These Questions Before You Start:
- What is my child's academic level?
- Do they learn quickly, or do they need repetition?
- Will they keep in step with their friends?
- How will early preparation affect their social life?
For some families, the 11+ is a top priority, while for others a happy, balanced school life for their child matters more .
In the end, what matters is mapping out the right path for your child with the right strategy! 😊
Grammar and selective school admissions are a different experience for every family. What was your experience? What influenced your child's school choice? Share your experiences in the comments to help guide other parents!