Private primary/state secondary? Post Reply

[_commonsmum_]

This might seem absolutely daft, and it probably is. However, I was wondering if anyone did the reverse of the usual state, primary and private secondary school? For our child I worry about her being in the classroom for long stretches without the huge blocks of exercise (in the form of games and pe) that the private primaries offer, needed as youngsters. We’ve also moved over from another country and wanted her to have more attention and nurturing to keep her love of learning up.

Is it crazy to hope/work really hard so she does well for the 11+ to get her into a great secondary (either grammar, state, or hopefully bursary/fee assistance). We may be able to swing private secondary or atleast partial fees.

[Sourcherry3]

I don't think it's daft at all and yes, I know people who have done it. Actually, I think it's more common in other areas, not so much in Wandsworth. I know people who sent to private prep and then did exams to grammars. Their daughter is now in a top Kent grammar. And my son's school has a lot of clever kids on bursaries. You need to think long term but you also need to do what is right for your child now, to make sure they reach their full potential.

[beamer2]

This is a syndrome that causes local distress amongst local parents and children alike. Graveney School has a 'grammar school' intake. The local primary schools concentrate on educating their pupils rather than hothousing them for the Wandsworth test, whereas many of the private schools,with smaller classes spend a great deal of time training for this. As has been previously mentioned high marks will help entrance into high acheiving private schools as well as acheiving status and popularity for the private primaries. Enough said, because it's unfair on those kids who don't get 'trained' and live near the school. The sooner the farce of these tests is acknowledged and Graveney School sets the pupils in subjects on their actual ability after year 7 the better...and you now know what to do...