3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ support thread 2014

[mumteacher]

I started the below thread last year and have had so many people find it useful I thought it might be worth doing it again.




I have had a number of messages asking if I have any spaces in my classes. I'm really sorry but I have been at full capacity for some time now.

However, I do appreciate that this is a very stressful time of year for parents who have children sitting these private school assessments in January 2013. So, I'm hoping that by setting up this support group thread I can help by answering some questions you have about these assessments.

Hopefully this thread will also contain some useful insight from the experiences of parents who have already been through the process.

[mumteacher]

A link to the previous thread

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/1640557-3-4-5-7-support-thread-2013?msgid=42800908#42800908

[mumteacher]

Anyone dot SHHS today? How did it go?

[runmammarun]

We didn't sit but my friend did and she said it was v play focussed. apparently they played shops, teddy bears picnic and had a story.

[runmammarun]

Thank you for setting up this support group. I am all for the benefits of tutoring but unfortunately we can't afford it so I do as much as I can at home. I am finding the 4+ really stressful. I don't want my DD to feel this so am doing as best I can to keep it fun. My DD is bright and I think she stands a good chance of getting in but is not a sure fire bet. I want her to have a good education and know statistically it is easier to get in at 4, otherwise I wouldn't put her (or me) through this! Any ideas of how to stay sane and some fun ideas of play activities to keep it lively and new for my little one?

[mumteacher]

Teddy bears picnic usually comes up.

Rinmammarun let me which schools that way I can be more specific. Also what she finds tricky and hopefully I can point you in the right direction for fun activities.

[mumteacher]

Also wanted to say that in the last week I have had a lot of PM asking for advice on particular school entry processes.
I am trying to work through the PM but it's taking a long time and I find myself repeating much of the advice. This was the reason for setting up this thread.

I am absolutely happy to help where I can and pls PM if its not a general inquiry but otherwise please post on this thread.

[runmammarun]

Thank you. St Helens, Habs, NLCS.

[mumteacher]

What does she find hard? And her month of birth?

[sanam2010]

mumteacher, thank you for this thread. Can you elaborate what the teddy bear picnic is? Playing pretend picnic in DD's room is her favourite game anyway so i am sure she will
love it!

Can you also share how many girls are assessed at NLCS 4+ for the 40
slots? How many of those go to siblings?

Also question about language... We speak two languages at home none of which is English but DD was in daycare since 6 months and is now in a nice private preschool so her English is dominant and shouldn't be a problem BUT we're thinking of traveling to Asia next year for 6 months or so and just come back for the assessments and i am wondering if that will be a problem language wise in case English becomes less dominant (hopefully offset by the fact that she has more stories to tell than a kid in a pushy London nursery school!). What do you think? Are there any parts of the NLCS assessments that are very language based (i.e. testing vocabulary). They do this at some Central London girls' preps so am not sure about NLCS. Any thoughts or tips how to handle it will be appreciated! Will they take this into account?

[runmammarun]

She is born in May. Mainly she just doesnt have the maturity yet I think. eg she says I dont know when she does. I dont think an assessor will push her so they may not get the right answer out of her. She varies so much from one day to the next. Some days she is obedient, listens and others she acts like a 2 year old!

[mumteacher]

Saman 2010 there are around 200 girls applying for the 40 places. 90-100 girls are called bk for second round. Siblings usually get a second round but not a guarantee of a place. Language plays a big part in the assessments testing from understanding and vocabulary. Your dd will have some amazing experiences to talk about but her language skills will also need to be on par.

[Dropsy23]

Any advise for the habs5+ assessment would be greatly appreciated. I am concerned about my dd as not tutoring her and will the girls she be up against be tutored?

[ridinghighinapril]

Hi mumteacher, thanks for this thread.
My daughter is 2y 9m (a January baby) and we are considering applying to Dulwich Prep London, the 3+ assessment for which will be in Dec/Jan. Could you advise what 'skills' would be expected at this age.
She is quite the chatterbox when with us but does take a while to become comfortable in a new situation with unfamiliar faces even when we are there, so this aspect concerns me about the assessment (we won't be allowed in with them, as far as I know).
Thanks

[mumteacher]

Runmammarun you are right the assessor won't push for an answer like you would - they don't know how far to push and how much each child knows. Plus tbh they don't really have the time.

Luckily she's May born and so they will give her some grace. She needs to exhibit confidence. Good vocabulary and be able to show she can lead - ask/answer questions from story being read.

Makes sure she has a good pencil grip.

[mustbeabetterwife]

hi mumteacher...I've p'md you...what wld you advise telling the dc to make them feel comfortable for assessment...something along the lines of 'we're going to go and play with some new friends'...

[mumteacher]

Mustbeabetterwife I told mine that we had to go to different 'big' schools for her to see if she liked the toys they had there. Making her feel she was in charge and that it was her decision.

[mustbeabetterwife]

Great - thanks so much mumteacher, that sounds better than a 'new nursery or playgroup'.

Also, do you have any knowledge of assessments for manor lodge, lochinver house school and habs boys?

[runmammarun]

Thank you Mumteacher. Do you have any ideas for fun activities I can do with her? I saw your post about getting different clothes out and asking them which they would like to dress up in for summer/winter. She really enjoyed this. Do you have any other ideas like this?

[mumteacher]

Runmammarun Lego build barns for horses, fields for cows, zoo for lion, tigers and other animals, this way a lot of skills are in play. Motor skills whilst building but also vocabulary and recall of knowledge in this case re animals. Q- what are baby cows called ? Hopefully you're building this with her so she won't get fed up with the odd question you throw at her and won't say 'I don't know'.

When shopping give her her own money and let her pay for her sweets/ magazine herself.

[runmammarun]

Thank you. All good ideas. V helpful!

[torres09]

Hi Mumteacher. Our DD just sat CLSG 7+ assessment. How does NLCS's 7+ exam compare to CLSG's? Is it much harder or similar? Also, do you happen to know how important the second around assessment is compared to the written papers in the first around at these schools? Many thanks for your advice.

[mumteacher]

Mustbeabstterwife make sure he can draw 2D shapes. Habs 5+ boys will assess reading, some maths knowledge and following instructions.

[mustbeabetterwife]

Thanks mum - I'm actually less inclined for Habs, and yet to make the decision about state vs private, but do you have any insight for Manor Lodge or Lochinver?

Thank you - I bet you wish you never started this thread!

[Dropsy23]

Hi mumteacher
I did pm you. Any advice for habs girls 5+ would really be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[mumteacher]

Mustbebetterwife I'm confused. Are you asking my advice to help aid your decision re state vs private? Is your son sitting manor lodge because this was in October! Habs? One is 4+ and the other starts at 5+.