It’s got to that time in his life already… We need to help Lil Man make some decisions now, so we can fill in the relevant application forms in a few months time.
He has one year left after this one in Junior school and will then embark on his journey at ‘BIG’ school! Aaarrrgghh! When did he get old enough to do that? I’d love to keep him here, under my watchful eye, wrapped up in cotton wool but that is just silly, I know. The thought of big school and my petite Lil Man is scary enough, without the added stress of where to apply!
There are still Grammar Schools here in our area which children sit the 11+ for. Usually the more academic children go there, are pushed more. These are the kids who everyone expects to do well, go to university etc.
In our Indian culture, academia, studying, passing with flying colours is a great thing. Everyone wants their children to do well, regardless of their capabilities. I have seen, during my work at school, children tutored to to the end of their minds, to pass the 11+, only to gain entry into the hallowed Grammar School, and spend the next 7 years struggling.
But it’s ok, at least the parents can say with pride that their child has gone to Grammar!
This is where I am wondering, am I thinking right or wrong for my son? He is a bright little thing, loves reading and writing, tries so hard in Maths, enjoys the topic work he does, and excels at sports.
The thing is, though his enthusiasm is great, in Maths his actual achievement is not above average, or even average, for that matter. Though he loves what he does, is a little sponge, collecting facts and remembering them, he is not Mr Academic.
I know what Grammar School entails, and unless a switch flicks somewhere in his brain sometime soon, I fear if I push him to sit this test, after tutoring, and he somehow gets in, he will be the one who is at rock bottom in school, for the next 7 years.
Actually I don’t believe in tutoring to pass tests like these. If they need that much extra help, surely that indicates that it is possibly beyond a child’s reach?
I have bought him the home help books for the 11+ test, and I am fully behind him if he WANTS to take it. I’ll help him at home if that’s what it takes, but I can’t and will not force him.
If he doesn’t get to Grammar School who cares? Isn’t it better to go to one of the local schools, and be one of the above average, or average pupils, rather than spend a large chunk of his academic life feeling like he’s the thicko of the class?
I’d love some feedback on what you think…
The 11+ – To Sit or Not To Sit?
02 Feb 2015 6 Comments
in Children, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: 11+ Test, Blog, Blogging, children, Decisions, Opipinions, Secondary school
Hello February!
01 Feb 2015 2 Comments
in Family, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Birthdays, Blog, Blogging, Expensive, Family, February, love, Valentines Day
And so the month of luuuurve has graced us with its presence!
February we welcome you with open arms, and I know we will wave goodbye to you with wallets empty too!
You see, it’s not just the Valentine’s Day we have to contend with in this family, let’s face it, with everything else, Valentine’s Day just becomes another day!
It appears June must be a special month, an extremely love filled month in my in laws family, as pretty much all babies arrived in February!
My BIL celebrates his 40th first, then it is my MIL and Hubby Dearest celebrating theirs together (what a great 21st birthday present my MIL had!) then it is my FIL, who also got a lovely birthday present 7 years ago, as Lil Princess is born on the same day too!
Trying to get cards and presents barely 2 months after Christmas…It’s not easy, but still, a lovely month!
And as for Valentine’s Day, well, I love him every day that we are together, I don’t really need a special day to say “I love you” and neither do I need confirmation from him, just on that one day…
(But I’d never refuse a gift😜!)
His first game!!
31 Jan 2015 6 Comments
in Children Tags: Blog, Blogging, children, First Match, Football Confidence, Short
I have one incredibly excited Lil Man on my hands!
Yesterday, after school, he came running into my classroom.
“Mummy, mummy, look!” waving a piece of paper in my face.
I looked, and here was his first invitation to play for the school in his first ever football match!
This really is BIG news for him!!
He’s been in training with the school football club, and basketball club, and never been chosen, and he also trains with a local team, where he has been more or less promised a place in the squad next time, but not yet…
And, yes I know I’m his mum, but you know, he really is quite good. People always underestimate him as he is quite small in stature compared to the others his age, yet even they are pleasantly surprised when they see him in action, and recently, this has been getting him down.
So down, in fact, that at Karate on Tuesday, he said he wanted to quit school football, “cos no one thinks I’m good enough anyway…”
So this piece of paper couldn’t have come at a better time!
Here’s hoping his finger is better so he can play, and wow the school, and his peers, too!
Failing that, he’ll ALWAYS wow me!
Damn! Morning Relapse!
29 Jan 2015 3 Comments
in Children, Humour Tags: Blog, Blogging, children, Late, Mornings, Stress
I knew it was too good to be true..
Two nights in a row, with no late night Lil Princess shaped visitor, then came night three, and BAM! There she was again!
Just about managed to rouse her, with the bribe of her school trip today (she is very excited!) but did she eat like a speed train, and is she already changed and ready to go?
Not a chance!
Well, to be honest the last two mornings, though she slept in the correct place, she was still Lady Slow Coach when it came to eating and getting dressed, but the lure of Leeds Castle today was meant to make her
a) stay in her bed
b) make her leap out in the morning
c) encourage her to eat up, nice and quick
d) change like the speed of light
And generally be ready by 8…
So now we had no TV on, no talking, and STILL, she is there, excited, yes, but unable to do two things at once! Wants to talk about the most random things, (she is the Queen of Random!) yet can’t dress at the same time!! I really need to get her initiated into the female are of multitasking ASAP!!
It’s past 8, again, I have time to write a post because of her tardiness, and I have yet to do her hair!!!
Thank God for that morning cuppa, is all I can say!
Happy Thursday, and remember, Friday is only a few hours away!!!!!!!!
But I Smile Anyway... 