11+ Selection tests in Essex

[CardyMow]

My DS1 is in Y4, and I have been given a small booklet about the 11+ selection tests in Essex. I have a bit of a concern. It states in the information from The CSSE that 'The test is available to children aged 11 years, but under 12 years on 31st August 2011. Children younger than this , but working and registered in the Year 6 cohort , may exceptionally be allowed to take the test.

Does this mean that if you are not aged 11 years by the November of Y6,that there is a chance that you will not be allowed to take the 11+ selection test? I'm asking because when DS1 is in Y6, he will only be 10 years and 7 months in the November when the selection tests take place. Is there a chance he will not be allowed to sit them because he will be under 11 years old at that point? He will be 11 before the end of Y6, his Birthday is in April.

[CardyMow]

It's the word 'exceptionally' that worries me, and who gets to decide if DS1 meets the criteria for being allowed to take the 11+ at 10yrs7months?

[IamnotStiller]

No, it means they have to be eleven by 31st August 2011.

[GrimmaTheNome]

The exception is just to allow for the odd kid who's been put up a year. Your DS is in the normal school year for his age so its fine. Most of the kids taking the 11+ are 10 - the '11+' relates to selecting 11+ education, not the age at which you take the test (I was puzzled by that as a 10 year old many moons ago ).

[CardyMow]

The wording made it seem like they HAD to be 11yo before taking the test, which concerned me!

[IamnotStiller]

Meant to say they have to be eleven by the time of end of August of year six, in your DS case, August 2012, the booklet must be the one for this year's eleven plus. My DS will be eleven in April next year and is taking the test this November.

[CardyMow]

Yes, I think the school give the booklets out early to those they are sure they want to put forward for the 11+. I know he's only 8 right now, but it's such a big thing,secondary school. When would you start looking at schools? With DD I started looking when she was in Y5, but that was because I needed to find one with a very good SN dept. Will the Grammar think I'm odd if I go to the open evening when DS1 is in Y5?

[BrigitBigKnickers]

No not odd at all-many parents take their DCs to see Grammar schools in year 5 to decide if they like the schools enough to try for the 11+.

We did this with DD and she loved the school so much it made her really determined to work for her 11+.

We also took her back in year 6 (a few weeks before the 11+ exam which is at the end of November in Essex) and this helped her through the final few weeks of preparation.

[BrigitBigKnickers]

Where abouts in Essex are you Loudlass ?

[MadameCastafiore]

DD is 10 years and 4 months and will be sitting it in a couple of weeks in Essex - all kids in year 6 get the chance - normally the school will run some tuition classes and form tutors will tell you if it is worth them sitting the exam.

[pooter]

Hi Loudlass - my DH used to work at CRGS (i think thats the one you are thinking about) and rates it highly. There's nothing to be lost by going to look now - it certainly beats making a hasty decision. Im sure they will just think you are an interested and committed parent.

[MrsBartlet]

We took dd to look at CCHS in Y5 as we wanted to know whether she liked it or not, otherwise it would not have been worth carrying on with her tutoring! DS is in Y5 now and we wanted to take hin to look at KEGS for the same reason but they were only letting Y6 children go this year. They said there would be an opportunity for Y5s to look round the school in the summer.

[CardyMow]

Which school is KEGS? And where is it? Curious as DP and I don't drive, and it will be a 45-50 min bus ride for DS1 to get to CRGS(yes that is the one I was on about!). Would KEGS be accessible by public transport?

Brigit - think Britain's oldest recorded town. With a castle...

[pooter]

KEGS is King Edward VI in Chelmsford. Dont know anything about it though - apart from it being one of the best, like CRGS.

[CardyMow]

I don't think I'd be looking that far afield, he'd have to leave the house at 6.30am to get to Chelmsford!