Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a grammar school?
Grammar schools are state secondary schools that select their pupils by means of an examination taken by children at age 11, known as the "11-plus".
There are only about 163 grammar schools in England, out of some 3,000 state secondaries, and a further 69 grammar schools in Northern Ireland.
Under the grammar school system, pupils who pass the exam can go to the local grammar, while those who do not go to the local "secondary modern school".
More common across the UK is the "comprehensive" system, in which pupils of all abilities and aptitudes are taught together.
There are no state grammars in Wales or Scotland, and although some retain the name "grammar school", they are non-selective and have no special status.
History
Grammar schools have existed since the 16th Century, but the modern grammar school concept dates back to the Education Act 1944. This made secondary education after the age of 14 free.
At the same time secondary education was reorganised into two basic types:
grammar schools, which focused on academic studies, with the assumption that many of their pupils would go on to higher education
secondary modern schools, which were intended for children who would be going into trades
There was a third type of school, the technical school - but very few were established.
So the system effectively divided pupils into two types - those destined for university and better jobs, and those deemed more suitable for less celebrated professions.
During the 1950s and 1960s, it was said, mainly by Labour politicians and egalitarian educationalists, that the selective education system reinforced class division and middle-class privilege.
In 1965, the government ordered local education authorities to start phasing out grammar schools and secondary moderns and replace them with a comprehensive system.
The quickest changes were made in Labour-controlled areas, while strongly Conservative counties moved slowly or not at all.
A handful of counties and local authorities in England have kept largely selective schools systems, including Kent, Medway, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire, while others such as Gloucestershire, Trafford and Slough have a mix.
In other places, a few grammar schools survived in areas that were otherwise fully comprehensive, such as Birmingham, Bournemouth and some London boroughs.
How do grammar schools select their pupils?
Grammar schools select their pupils by means of a test, known as the 11-plus, which is taken by pupils in the last year of primary school.
It is designed to see if they are able enough to learn in a grammar school environment with peers of a similar standard.
But many complain about the nature of the test, as it often features types of questions not usually adopted in regular state primaries.
Grammar school entrance exams can consist of all or a subset of the following:
• Numerical reasoning (maths)
• Verbal reasoning
• English comprehension, punctuation and grammar
• Non-verbal reasoning
• Creative writing
They have traditionally used questions based on verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning, and it is argued that those who have been intensively tutored tend to do much better in these tests.
Recently there have been attempts to make the tests more accessible and closer to the kind of word problems children face in primary schools.
Some grammar schools admit successful students by ranked order - all candidates are ranked by their 11-plus score - literally creaming the best pupils off the top.
In other areas, pupils who pass the test are then ranked by admission criteria, which can include the distance they live from the school or whether they already have a sibling there.
Data Source: BBC / All statistics are approximate
2. How can we build our child’s vocabulary?
The size of a child’s vocabulary during the early years helps shape language skills later in life. Building our child’s language ability is not something we should wait to do until they’re old enough to go to school or it is required for 11+ preparation.
1. Talk about objects and events that interest the child
Seize upon children’s interest in the things they see to teach them new words. Talk about something that has the child’s attention.
2. Have many conversations with children
The amount of language children hear during conversations with adults matter. Language areas of the child’s brain are continuously developing, along with their ability to translate sounds into meaningful words. Linking sounds to meanings quickly enables one to continue to make sense from the words they are hearing.
3. Engage in sustained interactions
Engaged conversations make a difference. It is not only the quantity but also the quality of the conversations they hear that matter.
4. Read and discuss books
Reading is one of the most powerful ways to build your child’s vocabulary. One of the most powerful of all shared activities is book reading. Books can be shared and enjoyed from the first year of life. They provide endless opportunities.
5. Use varied words while expanding world knowledge
Trips to new places such as aquariums and museums create opportunities to learn new words. Children acquire knowledge rapidly as they learn words that refer to more complex concepts. As time goes on, these words will be used during conversations about new ideas and experiences.
6. Talk about past events
Through language we are able to travel through time to past and future events. As parents talk with children about experiences from the past, they tend to use novel words and children, in turn, are encouraged to use them.
7. Engage in pretend play
Language enables children to construct and live in imaginary worlds. The talk that occurs as they enact their roles in these imaginary worlds leads them to expand their vocabulary.
3. What is non-verbal reasoning (NVR) and what can we do to improve NVR skills?
The University of Kent (UK) defines non-verbal reasoning as ‘the ability to understand and analyse visual information and solve problems using visual reasoning’. It also states that the development of this particular skill ‘enables students to analyse and solve complex problems without relying upon, or being limited by, language skills’. Many mathematical concepts, science problems and computer science tasks require strong reasoning skills.
Non-verbal reasoning questions include identifying relationships, similarities and differences between shapes and patterns, recognising visual sequences and relationships between objects, and remembering these.
Some children have more natural ability in this subject area than the others. Stronger NVR skills help children see how patterns form and assist in developing their conceptual and imaginative ability.
Non-verbal intelligence can be improved by working with hands on tasks such as picture puzzles, blocks and building toys, mazes etc.
At Pegasus Education as a part of our NVR curriculum we have now introduced 2d and 3d puzzles to assess and develop non-verbal reasoning abilities of students preparing for their 11+ examinations. The initial feedback from students have been excellent and encouraging. We have also seen a marked improvements in their problem-solving skills, patience, concentration, and memory. It also appears to stimulate learning.
4. Can more sleep enhance academic performance?
As a parent we constantly worry that our children are not prepared enough for their exams, and we want them to continue to work hard in the run up to the exams. However, it is important to ensure that children remain composed and get plenty of sleep.
Research has shown that it’s not enough to get a good night’s sleep on just the night before the exam. To get the maximum benefit, children should be getting plenty of sleep for at least the seven days before the exam. Sleep can be our children’s secret weapon for exam success.
There is an excellent article on this subject. It attempts to answer the following questions:
1. Are children and teens getting the sleep they need?
2. What is the effect of poor sleep on academic performance?
3. What are the common causes of childhood and adolescent sleep deprivation?
4. How can parents help their children get better sleep and improve school performance?