4+ assessment 2016

[googlesmom]

hi... i was wondering if there is a thread about 2016 entry.. with assessments around the corner thought it would be helpful to exchange notes and calm our nerves...

[CruCru]

Hi!

This is us. Where do you live? We are in North London.

[TrojanWhore]

There isn't a thread, possibly because of the spat last year.

There is/was a poster who considers such a thread her annual tradition, even though people clearly want to begin talking about it and had an active thread happily under way well before she started a competing one. All a bit unedifying, really.

[CruCru]

Oh gosh, I think that must have passed me by (I suppose because I wouldn't read if my child wasn't about to do the assessments).

[TiesThatBind]

I thought this was a terrifying list of what N London schools expect (scroll to the end of the post)
mumsinthewood.com/teach-them/schools/pre-prep-assessments/pre-prep-assessment-preparation/

I am still a couple of years out but it looked quite intimidating to me. Do you think it is realistic?

[CruCru]

Oh God. My son is a nice boy (and very socially able) but he can't write his name yet - and I need to tell him his address. Scissors we need to practice with.

[ridinghighinapril]

Horrific list! Move to South London, our kids are dumber this side of the river so expectations are lower.

[AliceAnneB]

I think it really depends on the school. We've had offers from three North London preps/prepreps and none have expected that level of development from a three year old. A key question to ask of any school is do they balance the intake based on birth month. If not then you will see lots and lots of autumn girls and almost zero summer boys. Some schools try to balance, others don't.

[CruCru]

Ha ha, ridinhigh, I'm sure that's not the case.

Meh. It's a bit late to turn the boy into a genius (if that's even what's wanted).

[brokenmouse]

You'll get more traffic on the primary education forum

The poster people are referring to is called mumteacher and she is a tutor. Her threads are called 3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ support 2013/2014/2015.

Have a stiff drink to hand before you sit down with them.....

[googlesmom]

i have been through those threads and that is how my blood pressure went up.. i thought my lo was a genius (!!!) till i read those threads.. have given up all hope now.. seriously they expect so much out of a 3 year old

[CruCru]

Interesting, had a look on Primary Education and doesn't look as though one of these is going.

[dollyphillips]

Hi All,

We have heard from St Christopher's already about waiting list place when we weren't expecting any news until tomorrow.

So is it all by post tomorrow or might we get an email today? Confused about whether NLCS do this or not!? I just want to know!!!

[googlesmom]

we are waitlisted as well for St Christophers.. am assuming we will receive via post all other schools tomorrow... fingers crossed...

[marzimum83]

Hi, my daughter sat her 3+ for st Helens and unfortunately was unsuccessful! We are gutted!! What really lets her down and is her confidence she is shy in new environments. Any advice on how I can improve the s please?

[CruCru]

Hi marzimum

One thing I find really helpful is to make my son talk to the people in shops / waiters etc. He has to ask for what he wants, pay them, say hello and goodbye, please and thank you etc.

[marzimum83]

That's good advice, thanks CruCru!
Hope everyone is getting ok ok with the exams. Any more advice from anyone on ways to make my daughter less shy in new environments?

[AprilLady]

marzimum, a year makes a big difference at that age. One of my DC was also unsuccessful at 3+ at a similar school, but at 4+ was much more confident, remembered the environment from the year before and had no problems getting in. I also gave a much more detailed explanation of what to expect beforehand.

Much closer to the time, think about ways to get her familiar with the school, for example taking her with you to an open day at the school in the term before the assessment if this is possible.