Thinking About Secondary Schools

Boo has just turned 6, is in Year 1 at school. Little Man starts school in two years time, and I’ve the hurdle of getting him settled in to nursery before that. You might think that secondary schools haven’t even crossed my mind at this stage, but oh no, you’d be wrong.

It’s already a topic for discussion at the school gate and amongst my friends. We are very fortunate to live in an area with seven good secondary schools, of which 1 is a Catholic school and 2 are grammar schools. Beyond that, there are also several grammar schools a bus ride or two away. So we have choices.

Both the Husband and I went to two of these schools, and my brother went to another, though of course that was a long time ago! That said, my daughter has already told me that she wants to go to the same school as me, which is very sweet, and also represents a challenge as it is a grammar school.

As you can imagine, that makes it popular. As you can imagine, a lot of children are tutored in preparation for their 11+ exams. I do realise that we are a long way off that stage yet, but I’m already having to consider the fact that when the time comes, we may be needing to get some extra support, from tutors trained to help with the 11+ exams, such as Fleet Tutors.

I’m unsure of this, if I’m honest. When I was at the school, it was very clear to me the girls that had been tutored to get through the exam, as often they were then the ones struggling to keep up with the work, studying through their lunchtimes. But that was over 20 twenty years ago now and as with so many things, it’s all different now.

A good friend of mine, whose son has recently started at a grammar school where his dad teaches, advises me that this is how it is these days. That the brightest kids still need the tutoring to give them all more of a level playing field. Ah, times have changed then. I understand that, so we will see how it goes when the time comes.

If my daughter is anything like me, she won’t stress about the exam anyway, and I certainly won’t be putting any pressure on her. I’d like her to go there, but then there are another couple of great schools nearby that I’m sure she’d do well at.

I know, I know, I’ve a few more years to go before dealing with this. But then I thought I had ages before she started school, and in the blink of an eye, she’s there!

Are secondary schools on your mind yet?

boo starting school

Disclosure: Written in collaboration with Fleet Tutors

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8 thoughts on “Thinking About Secondary Schools”

  1. Z is only 4 and I already wonder which secondary I want to send him to. There’s only one comprehensive in our area and the grammar school is 20 minutes away. I know a lot can change in 7 years but I’m already thinking about all the logistics.

  2. Wow! Seven local secondary school…..We only had a choice of two! The one my eldest goes to and one which isn’t as good.
    Try not to worry about secondary schools too much yet x

  3. Tonight i randomly clicked on BlogLovin (I very rarely use it, and I probably haven’t been on since Summer…maybe even longer, this popped up on my feed and made me instantly remember that Secondary school entry applications in our area CLOSE IN 2 days!!! Phew thank goodness for you else Ellie wouldnt have a school next year!!!

  4. Oh yes, they absolutely are! It’s mind-boggling just quickly the time will come… We’re also fortunate to have some good schools round our way and while our little girl is a bright little button (yes, I know I’m a biased mum… but she is!), like you, no pressure will be put on her when it comes to the 11+. I remember taking mine and can’t remember any pressure at all. A few nerves perhaps but no pressure. It would be truly incredible for her to go to the same (grammar) school as I did. Either way, we will be proud of her, of course 🙂

    1. It would be lovely, though my girl has decided this week that the girls grammar school is not for her as she’s realised that her brother won’t be able to go there, too, bless her!

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