General Chat

I was among the last to take the compulsory 11 plus exam in East Anglia. I didnt' pass (only just) and went to the local secondary school, while the girls who passed went to the High School in the next town and the boys went to the Grammar school further away.

After one year the education system changed and all schools became comprehensive. Those who passed their 11 plus were sent back to their nearest school for convenience, which happened to be the secondary I was at. The difference was huge. Out went the a,b,and c class systems, in came mixed groups, larger classes etc. and the level of attention a teacher could give went right downhill. I feel this held back some pupils who, with a little extra time could have found the best in themselves.

My OH went to Grammar school, got expelled (another story) and went to the local comp, and he hated it. I knows he could have done so much better at the grammar.

Back in those days, schools were chosen for you by catchment area, parents didnt' have the choices they do nowadays.

I did try to explain that the definition of competition that I have taught my children is

"Has your best got better?"

"Is that your personal best?"

"did you try your best?"

I refuse to discuss what other children might have got in their spelling test, maths test or whatever. Son seems to be getting the point now. He is nine.

I think if you remove competition for schools then you lose the impetuous to be the best you can be. I remember watching a programme on TV about this subject where kids were going for places at schools. I agree that a school that will suit one child, won't necessarily suit another.

Unfotutnately, our local council, in their questionable wisdom, are removing parental choice in our town by insisting that we have an academy that will replace three comprehensives (each with their own specialty) One a sports college, one I believe is science (or IT) and the other that seems to handle children with behavioural difficulties very well.

This will mean people are left with the choice of the academy, a Roman Catholic school, the private day school (which don't offer full scholarships that I'm aware of) or travelling to the next town for a comp.

One issue that amuses me is that they go on about how wonderful this academy will be and how it's best for the children of the town...they will only have 1200 places and currently the three schools have more than that in them and births have apparently risen. So where are the rest of the children going.

I think parental choice is vital for a child. And interschool competition is one of the best ways to encourage reaching potential.

A grammar/private school can give options that your local comp can't hope to. I've said if I had a child and the money they would go to the private school because I think they seem to have the best discipline. You don't see their pupils walking round with skirts so short their knickers are on show. My ex went to a grammar school and went to Oxford, I doubt he would have got in if he'd gone to a comp.

I am a great fan of Grammar school education, my wife went to one, i was never clever enough to do so.
Going back to the days when our Son had to choose which school he was going to, i was disappointed when he chose the local comprehensive.
Much like Gywnne's son, my son went on to University and finished up with a first class honours degree in Mechanical engineering, currently working in Qatar.

So shows what do i know about these things

George

Daff and Gwynne

That is exactly my attitude but she seemed to be genuinely trying to hide her outrage and disappointment that I did not support her view to entirely abolish grammars and competition!

Poor lady, we had such a lovely chat before that!!!!

I would have loved the grammar, and I especially wanted to go to an all girls school. Never got the chance and had to put up with all the nasty, horrid smelly, hairy boys in my class!

Perhaps I would have felt a bit differently if my OH had been in my class then?

hubby and I met at the local Grammar...

Our two sons have totally different abilities and skills, each very clever and talented in their own field.

I took this into account when choosing schools.. the older benefitted from the more formal structure of a Grammar, and the younger from a less formal local co-ed... although they both went to the same boarding school in between for a couple of years.

They each thrived... both have Masters in their chosen fields, and have done well. But I really feel that this is because I carefully chose schools to suit their personality as well as their academic leanings.

Love

Daff xxx

OH and I both went to grammar schools. He enjoyed it but I hated it so there was a bit of a debate when it came to choosing for our son.

We decided to take him to see all the schools available and leave it to him. He chose the biggest Comp in the area.

He's now a PhD working in genetics research at a university.

Each child is different and you have to choose (or let them choose) what is best for them.

Gwynne

in our local coffee shop.

We were chatting in a group and got round to education. She asked me if I had any objection to the grammar school and when I said that I had wanted to go to it as a child because it would have suited me personally, but that I don't think I will send my son because I don't think it would suit him, she was a bit shocked.

She believes that grammar schools should be abolished and that competition should be stamped out.

My point was that as a parent my child's education is my responsiblity and I will look very carefully at all the options to get what is precisely right for him. He may not have such an academic leaning as my husband and I do, or he may turn out to be much more musical and I believe that I am responsible for taking this into account and choosing the correct form of education for him.

Anybody else making/going to make/has made this choice?

Has anybody regretted or changed their mind?