Grammar schools in Bucks

Looks like I found a home in Latimer, near Chalfont just north of Beaconsfield. I understand that this area is still served by Grammar schools which I understand is rare in the UK. My three kids 8, 9 & 11 are good student, mostly A's and score in the top 90% on their California stnadardized test. My question is if anyone has had experience with the Grammar schools in the area? I am assume they will still need to take british tests (?) but will their US grades and scores be taken into consideration? What percentage of students get into the schools? How can I increase the chances of them getting in? Any other thoughts are greatly appreciated... Any babysitters in the area?

Regards,

Jack

Grammar schools, first off.

What ages are your kids?  Grammar schools (usually) start at Year 7 (child turning 12 during that school year).

I get the impression that Grammar schools are more difficult to get into than regular State schools.
There are 2 in High Wycombe near where I live, one on each hill!  The Royal Grammar school on the
Amersham side and John Hampden on the Marlow side.

Also, the Wycombe Abbey school, also in Wycombe has been rated the best school in the United Kingdom but is only for girls so I don't know if you have girls or boys or both.

This link is for Independent Schools, which looks to include Grammar schools:  http://www.isdirectory.co.uk/search.php4?action=SEARCH&keyword=buckinghamshire&limit=100

Matt

My 11 year old son was the only boy in his school to pass the 11+ and qualify for a grammar school, and there was only one girl who did the same.  It is rather difficult to get in, but very worth it to try.

My son was 8 when we moved here, he entered school at Year 4.  It's likely that your 8 & 9 year olds will have plenty of time to *prepare* for the 11+, which is in Year 6.  Your oldest, however, will have passed the exam time, most likely.

Still, because of the circumstances, you can see if a grammar school will give him some sort of entrance test.  My oldest was already grammar/secondary school age and that's what we did.  Unfortunately, his Florida education was, um, lacking in certain areas and whilst he is an intelligent child, he just didn't have the educational background.    He went to a *normal* secondary school, got 5 GCSE's and is now studying for his A levels in Sixth Form (including a double in Science!).  Hard to believe he's off to university next year!  Goes quickly!!

They may look at your kids' records, but I brought my boys' records and no one asked to see them at all.

For your 8 & 9 year olds, you can help increase their chances by just being a supportive, involved parent.  We were lucky in that whilst Year 4 was a bit wobbly as his teacher was out a lot of it, the youngest got a star of a teacher in Year 6, when it has REALLY mattered.

One thing I will offer from our experience - my youngest hadn't hit the years in his Florida school where emphasis was placed on handwriting.  Here, the school he went to started it almost from the beginning.  So he's still about a year behind in penmanship, and it colours his assignments.  So maybe take the summer to really work on penmanship with your kids, if the schools haven't already.

One thing I will offer from our experience - my youngest hadn't hit the years in his Florida school where emphasis was placed on handwriting.  Here, the school he went to started it almost from the beginning.  So he's still about a year behind in penmanship, and it colours his assignments.  So maybe take the summer to really work on penmanship with your kids, if the schools haven't already.

I always thought the geniuses had the worst handwriting? 

One thing I forgot to mention about Wycombe Abbey, it was rated the 2nd most expensive school in Britain behind Eton.  I believe last year it cost over £19,000 per year for girls to attend, better start saving now if you have any girls 

Matt

I always thought the geniuses had the worst handwriting?

One thing I forgot to mention about Wycombe Abbey, it was rated the 2nd most expensive school in Britain behind Eton. I believe last year it cost over £19,000 per year for girls to attend, better start saving now if you have any girls

Matt

I hope so on the genius front! 

Matt's got good info. there for you! My dh is out playing golf right now, but hang tight and I'll ask him when he gets home. We live in Gerrards Cross (about 5 mins from Beaconsfield, in fact dh works at Waitrose in Beaconsfield - we're neighbours!) and dh has lived here his whole life and knows loads about the schools. I'll ask him when he gets home (should be in the next couple of hours.)

I've got a stable load of neices here - I'll have to ask them if they still babysit 'cause they're all lovely girls!