minxthemanx
Many I take a couple of your points in turn?
" I guess that's why the Chelmsford?colchester grammars are thinking of changing the entrance test so you can't be coached for it - about time, but too late for our children, sadly. "
The CSSE, who set the exams for all the member selective schools except Chelmsford County High School for Girls, have thankfully made a clear statement that there are NO plans to introduce the CEM-type test in any of the other member schools. It can be found here
www.csse.org.uk/Chelmsford%20Statement.pdf
But in brief, it states that "The Consortium would like to reassure you that there are no plans to change the tests which are well
established and understood. "
I wouldn't want to set people wrongly panicking or celebrating (depending on their standpoint) that KEGS in Chelmsford, or CRGS and CoCHS in Colchester are going to change their testing systems.
minxthemanx
"Thanks Clouds, I think that's what is bothering me - these exceptionally able Yr 6 kids who would thrive at the grammars, but have been beaten to the places from those from the independent sector."
Without clear evidence, may I offer the thought that it's a little difficult to state, or even tentatively suggest that independent school pupils have "beaten" state school children to place at CoCHS and CRGS? Without access to the figures, none of us knows whether this is truly the case.
It could be a huge number of factors has contributed - not least of which is that there may have been a higher than normal cohort of above average state school children taking the exam this year.
More people may have been prepared to take a "punt" this year because the exam was brought forward in order to allow parents to make a more informed decision about school preferences on the CAF form. In previous years, when the 11+ came after the 31st October deadline, it was a real gamble putting a GS in the top 3 - people suggested that you could throw away your chances on something that was highly unlikely to come to fruition.
The changes in catchment areas in Southend and Chelmsford could have had an effect on the numbers taking the exam and consequently the pressure on places allocated. Who knows what's happened in that respect but there's been so many theories?
More state-educated children may have been better prepared and tutored for the exam this year. Sadly, the 11+ isn't merely about intelligence and KS2 SATS levels aren't necessarily good indicators of potential success at 11+ tests. It's three exams that test exam technique and stamina as much as anything else. Whilst I accept that Level 6 signifies a bright child (I've got a Level 6'er in YR6 myself) that in itself, isn't always going to be enough to get your bum on a seat in Norman Way, come September each year. The children have to be working beyond KS2 by the time they take the test in September of YR 6 - the tests are simply that demanding, as you no doubt know. Many children, whilst capable of "flying" quite meteorically at GS, aren't able to cope with the demands of the tree consecutive exams on the day. Super-bright children from state and independent schools can fall prey to nerves and brain fatigue on the day - nerves don't selectively effect one or the other group
It's a highly complex issue - an an emotive one. We all invest so much in children, whether parents or teachers and we want them to get the rewards for their work. The 11+ has, and always will be a gamble.
I don't want to see a system where only those with money get the resources to enable them to better secure the advantages of a GS education. However, that's what we have and to be honest, you could find that financially and socially "better-off" state school children may be equally as able to beat your pupils to a GS place, as privately educated ones It's sadly more complex than state v private.
I truly feel your pain but the reality is that even those sitting the more "tutor-proof" exams need a bit of help with exam technique and timing.
I think you may be pleasantly surprised that a significant number of state-educated children do get their bums on seats at Lexden Road and Norman Way I know the 11+ Forum, where a very similarly worded thread has been stated today, shows this to be the case