The reality

The following is based on what happens in my town where approximately 1000 children will sit an exam to try and secure one of the 100 places on offer in a single school. (The government is creating no new grammar schools, but has slightly increased the number of places in existing schools.) The number of applicants has also increased. I have rounded the figures down. It will give you an idea of the possible outcome for your child. Please note that I am not trying to increase your anxiety levels! I know how stressful it is for parents trying to do the very best for their child. However, it is best to be realistic. Some years may have more academically gifted candidates. In other years, the field may be weaker. This is just a rough guide.

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1000 will sit the exam

But 700 will not demonstrate that they are grammar school standard. This after hundreds of hours of preparation and potentially hundreds or even thousands of pounds invested in books, practice papers, tuition centres and multiple mock exams.

When people are free to travel, many families will sacrifice visiting family overseas during the summer holidays when their child is in Year 5. And it will all be in vain.

(It’s worth remembering that, even when there was a grammar school in every town, only 25% of children attended them.)

My students are consistently in the top 300. Most make it into the top 100. If I feel a child has real difficulty coping with my 11+ programme of study, I will let the parents know. A small number of candidates sitting the 11+ will have quite severe learning difficulties. I explained to one father that his son wasn’t going to be successful and would be given extra help at a comprehensive school, but he thought it was, ‘Worth a try!” I couldn’t fault his optimism.

300 will pass the exam

It can be very tough to be one of the 300 because 200 will not get the offer of a place. The marks are incredibly tight. When the top 100 are confirmed, I always advise my successful students not to be boastful because those who fell slightly short will often only be a mark or two behind them. The 11+ is, unquestionably, a cruel exam due to the limited number of places.

Some parents will choose not to take up their child’s grammar school place, preferring to send them to an independent school instead. This frees up a few additional places.

There are many extremely intelligent children who never sit the 11+. Some parents are against selective education. Never feel that a comprehensive school is second best.

100 will be offered a place

Success. The opportunity to have a free grammar school education has been achieved. All the hard work has paid off.