Eleven Plus Engineering

We were talking today about how parents could attempt to `engineer’ their children towards academic success.

There does not seem to be any particular order – but possibly first in line is inherited ability. The brighter the child the more likely will do well in academic situations.

Then I suppose the amount of input the parents can put in their children. This is where first born children seem to have an advantage.

Pretty high in the list must be the type of school. It must be very hard for a child from the third or fourth worst school in England to reach university. Children do get there – but the journey must be tortuous and long.

The child must want to do well. Drive and determination must be strong elements.