Seven plus - what kind of tutoring?

[jellicle]

Hi all, I'm trying to get some help with a dilemma. Could anyone tell me:

a) How children are tutored for the seven plus - what concepts they should know?

b) Could anyone recommend a tutor?

I'm in northwest London and looking at a range of schools in this area for my DC. Posted on my local chat but no replies.

TIA!

[MMmomKK]

It's just such a broad question. What the kids need to know depends on the school's you are applying to. They might have requirements, or past papers on line.

Alternatively - check out 7+ workbooks at Waterstones - there are lots. Try 7-8 Bond papers, and to stretch, do 8-9 papers. Bond does papers for English, Math, Reasoning.

People tend to guard tutors information. Friends with older/younger children in your target schools could be a good source.

[whereismagic]

A mother I know showed me Bond papers in math they practised with their daughter prior to 7+ and it was for age 8-9.

[electionfatigue]

mumteacher on here is a 7+ tutor
There is a woman called Arlette who tutors in the Golders Green area.

[jellicle]

Thank you very much for your responses. I'm having a go at Bond Books at the moment. I do understand the question is broad - unfortunately not sure which schools we'd be applying to at the moment. Thanks anyway, will follow up with the contacts referred here.

[Madcats]

I am guessing you are moving from state? Do (m)any children tend to swap from your school (I am wondering if there is another Mum or 2 who might be able to help). Equally the teachers MIGHT be able to suggest whether they think your child is suited to a selective school.

London schools seem an entirely different beast, but the entrance exams down in Somerset didn't appear to be especially onerous. The school websites gave an indication of the sort of thing the children would do (write a story, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, maths and reading aloud) during an assessment morning and I think the teachers might also have observed how the child mixed/played. Try to get your son used to talking about something that they are interested in (in case teachers ask).

Definitely get a few Bond books - non-verbal reasoning might be new and just see how you get on.

[electionfatigue]

London schools are a different beast indeed. Children at pre preps will have been preparing for a year at school and most will also have a tutor.

[julieh1]

Competition is definitely higher in London but no need to panic. We did Bond Books with our son for a month before his 7+ and he was fine.

Lots of people will tell you that you need to hire a tutor, everyone else has one etc... but if your child is bright there's really no need.

[softhedgehog]

If you're NW London then presumably (depending on the sex of your child) you're looking at UCS, Highgate, NLCS, Habs, SHHS etc. These are highly competitive schools and a few Bond books at home are unlikely to cut it unless your child is mensa material.

[CB2009]

Are you looking for entry in Jan 2016 or later? Some tutors for Jan 2016 will already be fully booked and well into their study programme by now. As others have said, it really depends what school you are in now and what your 'target' schools are plus the relative strengths and weaknesses of your child. We expect our son to sit for NW London schools in Jan 2016. Currently in a state school so would say light prep at home started in Reception. We researched suitable tutors during Reception too. Visits to all possible schools in Y1. Spent all summer from Reception to Y1 reading as much as possible. Now with 6 months to go, it is Bond books plus story writing. Long haul!

[Samkopel]

The dreaded 7+ is looming for my DS, and even though it won't be until Jan 2017 when he does the assessment, everyone tells me he needs a tutor and that has to be arranged now. He is in the system for North London schools (highgate, UCS, Habs, Belmont etc). I am going to have him assessed by the infamous Arlette. I wondered what people's views are on Arlette and how she works and her success rate? also the whole tutoring thing does not sit comfortably with me, but then do we leave it to chance and potentially end up with a school we do not want to send him to? thoughts much appreciated.

[princessna]

We have just been through 7+, my elder DS and he will be starting at one of these North London schools in September. I would definitely say that you do not need a tutor and that a tutor will not ensure that you get in. However, your son does need to prepare and you need to ensure that you are informaed about the test requirements and what yor son needs to work on to get to the required level. There are so many materials available online - past papers and worksheets, many free of charge and of course the Bond books. I did all the prep work with my son, so was always aware of where he was and spoke to his teachers regularly.
I will not say that it was easy, or even that I felt comfortable we had done enough/too much/not enough of the right stuff etc. In the end a lot depends on the day, and even trickier is that each school has slightly different test formats/requirements especially for the comprehension and composition.
Good luck. We have DS 2 coming up in Jan 2017 as well.

[Samkopel]

thank you for that, really useful information. Good luck with DS2 for you too, although sounds like you have learnt the ropes well!

[Budj]

has anyone had firstbhand experience of the tutor in golders green...we have several years before exams start but should we start thinking about it now?

[Paddlepop]

Budj I would prefer a tutor with a company, assuming its a good company, after our disastrous experience with a private tutor. With the tutoring company, we were able to access a wider range of past papers and we benefited from the tutor's colleagues knowledge about a specific school's entrance exam. I concur with @whereismagic that our tutor said that the Bond books to target are 8-9 Years or Year 3 national curriculum. Bear in mind parents fib all the time about whether they tutored their DC and how much tutoring they received. Every parent needs to decide on the optimal strategy for their DC. I feel like we wasted monies and more importantly time with a dud tutor.

[CB2009]

Budj - first hand experience here. I have sent you a private message and happy to chat. For school entry Sept 16 - 7+ exams Jan 16 - started with tutor Jan 15 - met tutor who saw son June 14 (age 4) - contacted her March 14. So guess yes a level of advanced planning is required for some tutors!

[AyeshaS01]

I am looking for contact details of "Arlettee" from golders green for my daughters 7+ exams.

Can any one please me the details

Thanks in advance
wish everyone all the best
Ayesha