Common Entrance Revision courses

[besos123]

My son shows absolutely no signs of knuckling down to revision for his common entrance exam (year 8) but has agreed to attend an intensive revision course during the holidays IF I can find one. Ideally in Hertfordshire. Any ideas?

[homebythesea]

Don't know that actual courses exist. But have lived through CE. We started at Easter hols with revision timetable 2 hrs per day no electronics allowed, mornings preferably to free up the rest of the day. At May half term things got serious and we went up to 3 hrs a morning in 40 min sessions with short breaks between. At school they will mostly be doing revision and practice papers from here on anyway. I'm usually very hands off with school work but this regime worked with ruthless supervision.

[besos123]

Thanks homebythesea. It's the ruthless supervision bit I know will lead to meltdowns. I think you could be right about such clubs not existing.

I resent the thought of paying a private tutor (on top of school fees) but many other families doing this which raises the bar and puts pressure on all to do the same - really only need revision help to keep him focused and motivated.

[Mutteroo]

DS did CE a few years back and the only revision he did was with the school. Speak to your DS school as maybe they could support him in school freeing up his time out of school?

[trinity0097]

Does he need it? What sort of marks is he getting on mock papers currently?

You can buy past papers direct from Galore Park, or the ISEB revision guides (cheaper to usually buy them from Amazon rather than Galore) if you want to work on things at home.

[homebythesea]

The ISEB revision guides were an absolute godsend and remain useful during GCSE courses in some subjects!

We found that bribery worked too- what might motivate him (iPad in our case). Does he really "get" the consequences of failure? Our DS was very keen in his senior school so he knew that getting there was in his own hands

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I think Sunningdale school does one (Berkshire) day and residential. Otherwise you could try the well known tutors.

[besos123]

Thank you all very much. I will get the ISEB papers to start now and have been in touch with Sunningdale. DS capable of 63+% but lazy so probably without serious revision would get mid 50% (on mock achieved 54%) which wouldn't give him 1st choice senior school. Don't think DS has quite realised the reality of what he needs to get - penny usually drops the week before and he panics which I want obviously to avoid. Thanks again all

[homebythesea]

You should also talk to the school to ascertain how much revision and practice papers they are doing. Would it help to take DS back round Senior School to emphasise what exactly is at stake here? If thee is a particular aspect he is looking forward to eg being in the rugby team or world class lab facilities (!) or whatever then a visit may put things into perspective for him. Honestly I don't think anyone does no work for the CE and by the time the exams come along they can do papers in their sleep!!

[happygardening]

OP it's very early days to get too worried assuming you're at a reputable prep school with a good track record in CE and that your DS's first choice and its CE pass mark is one the head believes is right for him I'm sure it will be fine. Most preps are going to concentrating on papers for the summer term ensuring the children know exactly how to answer the questions.

[homebythesea]

And you refer to "first choice" senior school - there really is NO PLAN B here - the target school marks the papers and if he does not meet the requirements it will be thank you and goodbye. You will then have to take those marks around to other schools (who will have filled all their own places in this way!) to try and find a slot.

Most prep schools will not sanction entry into a senior school they do not think the child will get into as it spoils the prep school's record so presuming the senior school choice was discussed with the prep school and they didn't raise any eyebrows then you should be OK. I know it seems like a big deal but they are well prepared and the prep will raise any concerns with you between now and June.

My apparently lazy DS got mostly A grades in CE so I know of what I speak

[yesbutnobut]

Keystone Tutors has courses running at half term and Easter - they're based in Fullham I think and it wouldn't be cheap. I second all of the above though - speak to the school, ask for practice papers, buy some from Galore Park. But if it's someone to supervise your son then perhaps one of these courses would be ideal.

[homebythesea]

And There is no plan B with CE- the papers are marked by the target school and if you don't get required grades then you are left up the creek. He should be aware of this too.

[homebythesea]

Sorry double post!!