Bad Secondary Schools.

[Grauntie Mag]

I am a very worried woman. At the last teacher pupil interviews for J (GD1) DD was told that J was doing well. She asked if she should consider extra tuition for the 11+. She was told it may be an idea but not really necessary. She has just had her assessed by a tutor and was told she was so far behind with her maths that she hasn't a hope of catching up up now. This wouldn't be so bad but the secondary school in her catchment area is dreadful. I mean abysmal. I have just googled it and what DD tells me appears to be correct. Special measures, the lot.
There is one private school in the area but the fees are prohibitive.
There is apparently no way round the system (short of moving) to ensure she goes to the better school near me. I have suggested DD goes to this school to see the head and at least try her luck.She is reluctant as she says it will not make a difference as it isn't decided by the head who goes to that school. I just know she shouldn't go to the catchment school. It seems as if the primary school doesn't care whether the pupils sink or swim. When they are gone they are gone.
DD is very worried. I think she feels she should have realised J was struggling earlier and anything I say seems to make it worse so I won't say anything else now. How I wish I had a magic wand or a bottomless bank account.

[Daisy]

GM - that fact that your GD1 isn't alone in slipping through the net is no consolation at all. Sadly, it's all far too common, but I completely understand your worries and sympathise. xx

Your poor DD must be very upset, but how could she tell that J was struggling with Maths if her class teacher says she's doing well. Either the teacher or the tutor is wrong, but either way it's hard for parents to get to the truth.

If she is in fact behind, do you think there's an identifiable reason - Discalculia maybe or poor teaching (if the standard in her class is well below the national average). Did the tutor who assessed GD have any thoughts about why she was so far behind? How well is she doing in other areas of the curriculum? How confident are you in the tutor's assessment?

When your DD makes the application for a secondary place for your GD she will be able to state 3 preferences. So it's worth putting down the school she would really like. If it's hugely oversubscribed and they are not in the catchment area they don't stand much chance, but there's nothing to be gained by only stating the awful school. The priority of how pupils are chosen varies from LA to LA, but it's worth checking their website to see what your Authority does. I'm afraid your DD is right - it isn't up to the head of the individual school.

A final thought - does the local private school offer bursaries that GD1 may be eligible for?

[Plantaholic]

As usual good advice from Daisy

[Gemini]

Oh GM, what a worry.
Good advice from Daisy.

[Grauntie Mag]

Thanks Daisy.. I'm hoping DD will get another assessment after Christmas. Maybe all will be clearer then. I've not heard of Discalculia but I will google. I did look at bursaries and yes, the private school does offer them. J is quite a nervous child in situations she isn't sure of, so I think she needs to practise taking exams before anything else.
I was bad at maths too, and remember that feeling of panic even in class.
Hopefully there will be an opportunity to relay this to DD without rocking the boat. She is on a very short fuse at present.

[Daisy]

GM - Does J realise she's struggling with Maths? Yes, I can remember the panic in the first year of Grammar School when we had a real dragon of a teacher and I would literally shake when she came into the room. What little maths I did know was driven out of my head by sheer panic.

I certainly think it would help to have a second opinion and exam practice and preparation does help. I imagine there is a lot of pressure around the 11+ if competition for grammar school places is anything like it is in Bournemouth/Poole where Libra Gran's GDs live.

I think in the meantime all you can do is be very supportive of J (as I am sure you always are) and boost her confidence in any way you can - not just maths. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you all. xx

[Grauntie Mag]

Hmmm, J will always say she doesn't understand when I try to explain a new thing to her. She doesn't stop and listen. She immediately thinks she won't be able to understand. Having said that she has learned how to knit (other Grandma), she sews beautifully and has built a 'stable yard' from all sorts of junk in her bedroom. It is fantastic. She devours books like no body's business so it doesn't seem to be a concentration problem.
The competition for places at the Grammar schools here is huge. Pupils come from miles away and I understand they spend hours travelling. Not what I would want for my children.
DD would be happy for her to go to a decent Secondary school, she realises it is unlikely she will pass the 11+ . Better for her to go where she can manage well rather than struggle and be unhappy.
Thanks again Daisy for your very wise words.

[Daisy]

GM - your GD sounds like a very talented young lady, and very bright. I'm sure you love spending time with her, but it does sound as though she goes into a slight 'panic' mode at the thought of Maths. As you said in your first post, a magic wand would be great. I totally agree - a good secondary school where she is happy and fulfilled is much better than any school where she's so pressurised she doesn't enjoy it. I think there is too much pressure on youngsters these days - what happened to having a time called 'childhood'!

How long has the local school been in special measures? There can be a dramatic improvement over quite a short time with the right leadership, but it takes a while to filter through into the public domain. I hope that if she does go to the local school that it is well and truly on the up. xx