Something we regularly encounter is parents wanting their child to get into a selective school when it really isn’t the right place for them. What do we mean by this and how can you be sure it is right for your child?
A selective school has a fiercely competitive and self-driven atmosphere. Most students at selective schools don’t need to be told what to do more than once – the teacher will usually outline the work and then they are independent enough to get it done. In every assessment task and assignment, it is generally expected that the student bring their A game – and even from year 7 there is a competitive attitude to see who can outperform their class mates. This requires a specific type of student – and is not going to be right for everyone.
If you are considering a selective school for your child, you want to ensure that the selective school is right for them. Here are 3 criteria we believe every selective school student should have:
A drive to always do their best
Some students don’t care too much about school – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing depending on their age. But if this is your child, being in a selective school is going to create a ton of conflict for both you and them.
Selective Schools are designed for those that always want to do their best. Even if they are weaker in a specific subject, it is still important that they throw everything they can towards it. They need to be independent enough to work without supervision and bring all that they have to every class.
Selective Schools get the best results not because their teachers are better than other schools, but because the students are driven to do their best at all times and the school cultivates this culture from within.
Naturally drawn towards academics
If your child is not interested in school, they will probably struggle at a selective school. Things are taught faster at selective schools – so the student needs to enjoy the learning experience to ensure they absorb the content as needed.
Does this mean that if your child is obsessed with Footy or Fortnite that they won’t thrive at a selective school??? No of course not! There are plenty of incredible athletes, musicians and creatives at selective schools – but there has to be a natural inclination to and enjoyment of maths, english and all the other components that they will do from year 7 to 12.
Not afraid of doing hard things
I have 2 daughters with very different attitudes when it comes to tackling challenging things. One will shut down and say she can’t do it, refusing to even try. The other thrives and loves the idea of a challenge!
Getting in to a selective school is hard – just as being in a selective school is hard. It is designed to challenge high performing students to accelerate their development and keep them growing ahead of other students their age.
They will be regularly confronted with challenging things – because diamonds are created under pressure! Your child needs to be willing to take on hard tasks – and like a muscle, each time they do it they will be better prepared for next time!
With over 18,000 students across NSW competing for just 4000 seats in selective schools, the Selective School exam is one of the most competitive tests a student will do in their schooling career until the HSC. For those that succeed, a selective school offers a world of opportunity without the hefty price tag of a private school. But, it is important to remember that a selective school is not for everyone. If your child is driven to do their best, naturally drawn to academics and willing to tackle hard things, they will do very well at a selective school.
