WUS, CC and KCJS 7+/8+

[firsttimer08]

Starting this thread for those sitting the 7+/8+ for these schools. Have found last few years' threads useful in understanding the process as a newbie; and now that it is our turn, thought we can exchange notes or have an idea of when the dreaded letters/emails arrive!

All the best for this week and the next.

[Ladyofthepalace]

Hi there, my son is doing two of these schools, marking my place here. The final countdown is on! Good luck everyone whose sons are sitting.

[SuperWorried]

Can't bear thinking of the looming exams next week. I am getting insane!

[firsttimer08]

I am worried too about the back to back exams next week. Hope DS is still fresh by the time WUS comes along!

[Dorkius]

Dorky question but what are kids supposed to wear to these exams? School uniform or casual clothes?

[Abetes]

They can wear what they like, unless the letter about the exam day states otherwise. Some people suggest that your child might "work" better in school uniform as it puts them in the school frame of mind, others say best to be relaxed and unstressed in home clothes.

[firsttimer08]

WUS state comfortable clothing because the boys may have a play during break time. Can't recall what CC letter said.

[Ladyofthepalace]

CC dont mention from memory. It's a Friday so we are doing uniform I think.

[kcw23]

Our DD sat

[kcw23]

Our DS sat all 3 last year, and is in one of the above school.

All I would say, don't go with the hype here OR on the internet. If your DS has worked hard, he will get through.

Good luck everyone!

[SuperWorried]

kcw, lucky you and well done your DS. But isn't it true that all kids sitting in for these 3 schools must have worked hard, or at least being pushed hard? DS has worked hard but not being pushed hard enough in my opinion. Not sure whether we will regret this in less than 10 days time.

[HopefulButNotConfident]

Our son is sitting 7+ at two of these schools plus another. Previous boards seem to have been a great support, which I'm sure as hell going to need! I can't believe it's finally here. Hold on to your hats...and good luck!

[Iwillsurviveagain]

KCW23 which bit of the hype or the material on the internet is not credible.

[Ladyofthepalace]

I reread letters on dress and both CC and KCS say either uniform or own clothes are fine. I think we'll do uniform as my son can be quite lively and I think it will reinforce to him that it's a working day.
I know plenty of bright boys who worked hard last year and didn't get through :( It's partly good preparation, partly natural ability and a bit of luck/not going wrong on the day in my view.

[HopefulButNotConfident]

I agree, Ladyofthepalace - there's obviously the fact that boys need to be naturally bright (otherwise why would you be trying to get them into one of these schools? They'd be miserable if not), but the luck factor comes into play if they're having a good / bad day, and whether the papers play to their strengths. And any Saturday my DS has to go and write exams all morning is definitely NOT a good day, in his opinion! But hopefully the fact that everyone else there is doing the same thing will make a difference and help him to settle.

I was thinking civvies tomorrow at Kings - I might ask my son and see what his preference is (and then pack the alternative in a bag in case he changes his mind at the school gates...).

[Ladyofthepalace]

I like your username :) - v topical! I am also wavering - more people seem to be going for civvies than not (well the small handful I have asked at least!)

[firsttimer08]

Ditto - we are doing the same for all exams, including CC as DS will not be going to school that day anyway.

[HopefulButNotConfident]

Yes indeed, Ladyotp - and it describes my state of mind VERY accurately. No doubt we will all be milling about Wimbledon tomorrow...perhaps we should wear yellow roses in our lapels so we can spot each other.

Any last minute tips from anyone? I have none - DS is my eldest son so we've never done anything like this before.

[mertonmama]

Leave yourself plenty of time to park! Lots of free parking on the Common towards Cannizaro but it will be busy. Cannizaro is a lovely park for a stroll and the hotel has a lovely conservatory where you can get coffee.

Lots of lovely shops in Wimbledon village to pass the time.

Resist the temptation to try and get details from your DS as soon as he comes out. It will only spook you if they appear to have made a mistake. Better to wait for the details to come out over the next day or so.

[HopefulButNotConfident]

Thanks, mertonmama. The conservatory at Cannizaro is likely to be packed with anxious parents tomorrow morning...

[SuperWorried]

How did this morning's KCJS session go? A friend's DS said it's quite easy.

[Gobzilla]

DS said exams were surprisingly easy too but that they may not be an accurate assesement of anything. Onwards to next week's exams.

[HopefulButNotConfident]

I'm trying to follow mertonmama's advice and not push too hard for information, but my DS is notoriously difficult to get anything out of. He did say there were about three maths questions he didn't know the answer to, and that he didn't quite finish his story, but that he enjoyed the reasoning questions. I suspect that will be my lot and we will just have to wait till 28 January. Hopeful self feeling somewhat downbeat, and confident self has left the building...

[Gobzilla]

DS now says he ran out of time to write his composition. He would most definitely have failed his English exam. I'm sure he will be sitting the 8+ exam.

[Ladyofthepalace]

Comprehension not finished here. Otherwise he was happy and thrilled with his pencil . He went in home clothes in the end, think most boys did. He enjoyed the experience and all ran v smoothly. Gobzilla why would you think he failed; suspect plenty of boys don't finish the composition and still get through so long as there was enough good stuff that preceded it!

[Ladyofthepalace]

When I say 'ran smoothly' that was a comment on KCS's organisation rather than any insight from our end (sadly)!