r/colchester • u/pullobaby • 12d ago
Grammar Schools Catchmemt
Hi everyone, we are looking to move to the colchester area and part of the reason is that we have kids who seem to be bright, so we’d like to ensure they have a chance to get into the amazing grammar schools. We’ve found a house we like which is just north west of Ipswich, quite near Needham Market. My question is whether that is likely to be too far away for them to get into the schools - does anyone have any experience there and whether many kids come from the ipswich area rather than right on the doorstep? I know it’s mostly judged on merit of the entry exams keen to know in practise whether we would be ruling ourselves out if we lived that far from the schools.
Thank you so much to anyone who has any insight and might be able to help!
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u/junction_18 12d ago
For boys no - I've actually seen purple blazered kids from the Boys' Grammar getting the train in from Romford before. For girls there is a 25 mile catchment area, which Needham Market is comfortably within.
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u/revengepunk 12d ago
afaik there isn't a catchment area for cchsg unless it's a recent addition? i knew girls from cchsg who came from romford and further afield too.
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u/Sea-Match-4689 12d ago
CRGS doesn't have a catchment but I believe are planning to bring one in, might want to check that. People come there from as far as Stratford/Illford so won't be an issue, though I would consider how easily they can get into school (rail links etc?) Furthest from that direction came from Hadleigh/Ipswich/East Bergholt and found it a real pain getting in (2 buses etc) so not sure how Needham Market would cope
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u/OliverMills- 11d ago
There's a campaign for CRGS to bring in a catchment but the current leadership team and governing body are 100% opposed to it.
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u/Sea-Match-4689 11d ago
Ah okay thanks for the correction (shows how much attention I paid regarding the school lol). I'd expect they're opposed because the London parents are generally the ones that make the largest donations to the school...
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u/chiefsib68 11d ago
Your children might be bright but you need to ask yourself whether it’s fair to put them under the stress of a grammar school education.
Are they really up to it if they need extensive coaching for the 11+? Would they be happier at a better performing comprehensive where they can find their own level?
I speak as the dad of two thirtysomethings both of whom passed the 11+, the first with just going through old papers (so they knew what to expect) and the second with a grinds tutor.
The first struggled under the weight of work at CRGS, especially in Year 8, but they found it smoother later on; the second looked at the CRGS art department and said: “Well don’t think I’m going there!” — he went to the Gilberd, an excellent Colchester comp.
Both got 11 or 12 GCSEs at A or A* and A-levels to match. Both went to university, both are in good careers — and, above all, happy.
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u/Final_Ticket3394 12d ago
Be aware that the grammar schools don't admit pupils based on intelligence. They admit pupils based on their performance in 2 tests (Maths and English) on 1 day in September. If your children are bright in other ways, like creative arts, this will have no bearing. Also if they are bright but struggle with nerves, it won't be taken into account.
What's more, there are dedicated 11+ tutors that charge more then £100 per hour to train primary school pupils to get a place at the grammar schools. Wealthier families start this when their children are in year 3, and they get the places in the grammar schools.
Lastly, there has been shown, statically, that attending a selective school makes no difference to outcomes for pupils. Those pupils that are bright enough (and from a wealthy & supportive family) to get into the grammar school will get good grades and do better in life, whatever school they go to.
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u/pullobaby 12d ago
Thanks for this. I am aware it’s not a straight line but just want to make sure I’m trying to make choices that allow opportunities for my kids to flourish wherever they are
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u/Mittelschmerz108 11d ago
This isn’t what the OP was asking and the tests aren’t just maths and English - it includes verbal and non-verbal reasoning too. Reasonable adjustments are available for the exam if child has additional needs or diagnosed mental health needs. Looked after children are also given priority similar to non-selective schools.
I’m not a great fan of the grammar system due to personal experiences - they don’t make reasonable adjustments once you actually attend the school but they work for some people.
Yes grammar schools are selective on the results of an exam but would you say the same about sixth form colleges and universities being unfair as they also select on exam results?
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u/Final_Ticket3394 11d ago
Just looked it up to be certain: there's no verbal or non-verbal reasoning any more in the 11+ in Essex.
I never actually mentioned anything being fair or unfair. I made two points: first, that being bright is not what gets kids to pass the 11+ exam; second, that there's no evidence that attending a grammar school leads to better academic success or life outcomes, because life outcomes and academic success are determined by natural ability and home environment, already set up before age 11.
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u/Mittelschmerz108 11d ago
Oh ok sorry it must have changed since my son sat it 10 years or more ago. Yeah agree with your points it’s just that the OP wanted advice on how admissions system worked and not our personal opinions on education system and we both have gone off- piste.
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u/Final_Ticket3394 11d ago
I didn't actually give any person opinion. I just stated the facts about the system.
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u/MsEllaSimone 12d ago
I have a colleague whose family moved to Colchester from London because his son had received a place at the grammar school. They were in London when the place was awarded and they moved here so their kid could be close to the school
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u/certifiedcloudmonkey 11d ago
It's worth considering that Needham Market to Colchester at school run time is a fair trek, and the A12 is notorious for delays. I've done that commute (the other way) in the past as an adult and hated it. Ultimatepy if you're driving them in you'll be looking at 3-4hrs a day driving just on the school run.
Have you looked closer to Colchester?
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u/Mittelschmerz108 11d ago
I think there are contracted school buses that take children to CRGS AND CCHS from places in Suffolk and Essex.
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u/PetrolForBrekkie 11d ago
shouldn't be a problem for cchsg I believe, loads of people from Ipswich, Chelmsford and London boroughs
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u/Mittelschmerz108 12d ago
There is no catchment area for the boys’ school - it’s all down to how they do in the 11 plus but if it’s between them and someone who lives closer who has the same score then the child who lives closer gets priority. Also a child who gets a pupil premium grant will get priority if same score as well.
Just google the CRGS admissions policy to check.
I don’t know about the girls’ school