I have been utterly convinced of my younger son’s quite astonishing intelligence since he was 18 months old. I know people find that hard to believe – and I’m sure plenty of people thought I was just ‘showing off’. But he was an early talker and, even from that age, there was an incredible amount of thought and logic in what he said. I’m pleased to say that, in all that time, he has never once proved me wrong. My son is a very clever boy.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that it was at 18 months that I knew his destiny was to go to the local grammar school, which also happens to be one of the top state schools in the country.
Regular readers will know I’ve been stressing about this for a while, worrying about the test. I knew for certain he was meant to be there, but there’s no telling how a child might react on the day – what if he crumbles or what if he accidentally misses a whole bunch of questions without realising? There’s also no telling what the competition will be and how much additional tutoring they will have had to raise their game to way above where it would naturally be. Although he came out of the exam quite confidently, I was still worried. There were an awful lot of kids who sat that test.
I’d geared up for results today, then on Friday morning I heard they would actually come by email on Friday afternoon.
At 5 past 4 I felt the vibration of my phone which said ’email’. There was an email from his second choice school – saying he was in the top 108 out of 776 boys who had put the school down as a potential choice. But what did this mean? Did this mean he’d come in the overall top 120 and would be admitted to our preferred school, or not? I was confused.
But there was another email. From the preferred school.
THIS was the email we’d been waiting for – ‘I am writing with good news about the performance of X in the the entrance exam. As X was ranked in the top 120 placed students and there are 120 places for the new year 7 in 2015 this information about ranking is very important and very positive news.
‘On Monday 2nd March 2015, 120 places will be allocated strictly according to rank order to those for whom School Y is their first effective preference… ‘
I tried to read the email out loud, but I couldn’t. It just made me cry.
So although he won’t be offered a place until March, we have all the information we need. We KNOW he can get into the school. That’s all I wanted to know – there’s no uncertainty now.
My brilliant boy has done it!
I am so proud of him.
October 13, 2014
Aww fabulous news, so glad he was in the top 120 and well done to him. Sounds like the most perfect news and you sound like one super proud mum. Thank you for linking up with #magicmoments.
October 13, 2014
Thanks very much, it really is! I’m still on a complete high.
October 13, 2014
Excellent news, I bet that’s a weight off your mind!
October 13, 2014
It certainly is! Thanks very much 🙂
October 13, 2014
Yaaay a huge well done to him and to you to. Such a big step and he’s very lucky to have a mum like you that recognised and encouraged him every step of the way from such a young age. I hope he flies and loves every single second of it 🙂
October 13, 2014
Thanks very much, what a lovely thing to say. I certainly encouraged him, but I’ve never pushed him. I’m in awe of how much natural talent he has 🙂
October 13, 2014
Just brilliant! I’m not sure who I’m more pleased for – you or him! 🙂
October 13, 2014
It’s a tough call, but I bet it’s me!
October 13, 2014
Awww I’ve so been looking forward to reading this post!! I know how it means to you guys and how much you’ve been worrying about it so I’m so so happy for you all! Congratulations to your clever little man xxx
October 13, 2014
Thanks very much, what a lovely thing to say! I really appreciate that 🙂
October 13, 2014
That is AMAZING news!! I’m so happy for you all. x
October 13, 2014
Thanks very much 🙂 x
October 13, 2014
Fantastic news! I’m not surprised you’re proud – that’s such a fantastic achievement.
October 13, 2014
Thank you! It really is an amazing achievement 🙂
October 13, 2014
It is such great news….You have every reason to be proud and be shouting about it. You have such a clever boy x
October 13, 2014
Thanks very much, he really is brilliant. I’m so proud of him 🙂 x
October 13, 2014
Fantastic news! You really must be so proud and a great relief! 🙂 #MagicMoments
October 13, 2014
Thank you! It really is a relief 🙂
October 13, 2014
Wow how amazing, you must be absolutely fit to burst with pride!! Congratulations to him and you x
October 13, 2014
I certainly am! Thanks very much. x
October 13, 2014
A relief to you all, it would be awful not to have made it knowing he is so bright, he did himself proud.
October 13, 2014
Thanks very much. He really did do himself proud 🙂
October 13, 2014
That’s wonderful news – well done to your son and what a proud mummy moment for you. Awesome achievement 🙂
October 13, 2014
Thanks very much 🙂
October 13, 2014
Aw yay that’s fab news! Well done to him and you have every right to be so proud! Xx #magicmoments
October 13, 2014
Thanks very much 🙂 x
October 13, 2014
Such lovely lovely news. I bet you ARE SO PROUD! As I mentioned I went to a grammar school and I loved it so much. I am so pleased for you . He will have an amazing time. I found we had a bond that goes on for years and years. My school was a bit like Hogwarts! xxx
October 13, 2014
That’s such a lovely thing to hear! I really am so proud, it’s hard to describe just how proud I am.
October 13, 2014
Such a great read! Congratulations! Its always nice to read stories like this. You have great kids cuz you are a great mum =) #magicmoments
October 13, 2014
Thanks very much. That’s such a lovely thing to say 🙂
October 13, 2014
That is such fantastic news, I’m thrilled for your son and you, there may be a small tear in my eye *sniffs*. I know how important it was to you. Yay!! #MagicMoments
October 14, 2014
Bless you, thank you! That’s so sweet of you 🙂
October 13, 2014
Hello there, congratulations! I am delighted for you, that’s fabulous news. Well done. x #magicmoments
October 14, 2014
Thanks very much 🙂 x
October 13, 2014
So happy for you! Massive well done to him. I knew he’d do it! Time to celebrate now! xx
October 14, 2014
Thanks very much! I kind of knew it too, but it’s so nice to get the confirmation. x
October 14, 2014
I have been thinking about you and your son this week and keeping my fingers crossed for both of you. I obviously didn’t need to do that because your son got his place all by himself. Well done him … and well dome you for believing in him from such an early age!
October 14, 2014
That’s so nice of you, I really appreciate that.
People always tell me they don’t know if their kids are clever or not – how can they not know? It seems strange to me to not know that about your own child.
October 14, 2014
Thanks very much. It’s nice that you can relate – I love reading about well your son is doing too. We are lucky to have such good schools on our doorstep, so my son will get the very best opportunities.
October 15, 2014
I don’t think that people who do not know the school can fully appreciate the enormity of just how much of a achievement this is! Very well done to him (and you for raising him).
October 18, 2014
Thank you! You’re right. It’s very hard to explain to anyone who isn’t local what a huge achievement it is to get into that school. Was amazed when husband met a client from Bristol the other day and mentioned the school and even he knew it and what a big deal it is to get in!
October 16, 2014
That’s fantastic, well done him! What a wonderful achievement!
October 18, 2014
Thanks very much 🙂
October 16, 2014
Fab news, I can imagine the relief for you – and the ‘proud-ness’ (is that even a word?!) 🙂 over from #loudnproud x
October 18, 2014
Thank you! It’s a huge relief as it’s definitely going to be right for him. ‘Proud-ness’ sounds like the perfect word to me 🙂
October 17, 2014
Congratulations!! Massive reason to be very proud!! One of many more you’ve had and will have in the future. Being a mum ricks! #loudnproud #pocolo
October 18, 2014
Thanks very much 🙂
October 17, 2014
Brilliant news – a weight off your shoulder but also a place where you’re son will get the educational challenges that he needs!
October 18, 2014
Thanks very much, it will be perfect for him 🙂
October 17, 2014
Oh wow Sarah! Well done to your boy! Congratulations. Now you can rest easy, no more stress… at least for a little while. 😉 #PoCoLo
October 18, 2014
Thanks very much! It would be nice to have no stress now until it’s time for my daughter to go and my eldest to do his GCSEs!
October 17, 2014
That is such brilliant news, Sarah! You must be bursting with pride. He must have got those brains from somewhere – his lovely mama no doubt. Happy to be back on your blog after my very long break! x #PoCoLo
October 18, 2014
Thanks very much! I was actually very clever just like him as a kid, although you would never know it now! Nice to have you back 🙂 x
October 17, 2014
I remember seeing this on Facebook when you put it up. You must be SO very proud of him and rightly so. What a brilliant job he has done. Congratulations to your boy and may he be very happy in his new school. Thank you for linking to PoCoLo 🙂 x
October 18, 2014
Thank you! I really am extremely proud – it is actually hard to put it into words! x
October 19, 2014
Way to go x
October 21, 2014
CONGRATULATIONS this is amazing news for all of you. He did a fantastic job in the exam, I bet you are still shouting from the roof tops about his placement.
Thanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
x
October 22, 2014
Thanks very much! We still are – we’re so excited, relieved and proud. It’s exactly where he is supposed to be!
October 21, 2014
I really identify with your situation and can well imagine your relief. Hope your little boy will be extremely happy at his new school next year.
Bit of a downer from Reception teacher! Perhaps she didn’t hear it as a statement of fact and more as a boast, though one can usually tell difference. All she had to do was nod sagely and say she was looking forward to having him in her class.
Good luck to you all x
October 22, 2014
Thanks very much! I’m sure he will be happy there, I’m so relieved he made it!
You’re so right about the reception teacher! It was never intended as a boast, just to make her aware of his needs – like you say, she should have seen that!
October 23, 2014
Such a brilliant outcome for you all, you must want to shout it from the rooftops.
I wanted to tell everyone about our successful school appeal and it’s such the right school for T, as yours will be for your son.
Thanks for linking up with #SSAmazingAchievements