To think it's ok to holiday the summer before 11+?

I'm from a region of England where there's no 11+ either, and when I moved to a different area I was absolutely horrified to see the amount of pressure people put on their children over it. It's awful.

Poor kid. That's so much pressure on a child.

Jeez, he's a bloody child. Let him have a sodding holiday.

I will admit that I'm in Ireland and there is no 11 plus here, but this is utterly bonkers. He is far too young for this much pressure. Your husband has his priorities completely wrong and I feel very sorry for your son.

Do not cancel the holiday! We were on holiday with family last year and a relative was gearing up for the 11+. They just did a few practice tests over the course of the holiday. Half an hour a day or whatever. It was fine.

Seriously, if missing a week of practice means he won't make the cut, then grammar school isn't for him and he will be miserable struggling to keep up.

Last summer we spent 6 weeks in Europe, mostly just chilling out. In the last couple of weeks I did a small section of a practice paper with my son some mornings, so probably around 20 mins every couple of days. My mum also did some verbal reasoning with him and my dad some of the nonverbal reasoning the week they came out to join us. I estimate they spent 3 hours in total. I was very conscious of wanting him to be familiar with how the questions work as it was not something they had done at school and it can take a bit of practice especially with the nonverbal reasoning, but also not putting any pressure on him because (i) I didn't want him to feel anxious and (ii) I only wanted him to go to grammar if he was naturally of the right ability as i dont want him struggling. As it happened he really enjoyed the tests and sailed through with scores in the 130s. So my advice is - definitely go on holiday, have a wonderful summer, do enough work so he is familiar with the test format and don't stress/put too much pressure on

Good god. He's a little kid. No test is so important he can't have a day off.

Of course the lad needs a holiday. If he really needs that much extra work, will he cope with the work in the grammar? I personally feel that every kid should take the 11+ type of exam, but when I see the pressure kids are under from parents and schools I sometimes doubt it's effectiveness.

How will your husband react if he does badly. Failing at 11 doesn't ruin your life. I went to one of the worst schools academically in the city, only one of my year went to uni at 18. However when I meet old school friends most have done well, several of us including me retired in their 50s. A couple are multi millionaires.

I can't believe that ruining your sons summer is even up for consideration.

Crikey, imagine the burn out by the time he hits GCSEs and A levels! Take the week off completely. No books. He needs a break.

Defo go on holiday! Some prep is sensible but not at the expense of family time and shouldn't be an either or scenario

This is exactly why grammar schools should be phased out. It's ridiculous that people are talking about a 10 year old life being ruined if he fails a test.

and he needs a holiday and a break. Too much pressure and too much studying may have an adverse effect

If he fails and he doesn't go he's going to hate you all anyway.

Go, on the condition he does 30 mins a day at least.

I mean this in the kindest way OP but if he needs this much prep then even if he does pass grammar might not be for him. Let him enjoy his summer and do some prep if you feel he needs it but don't make the whole summer prepping for a test that he can if he does pass doesn't guarantee that he will even get into a grammar school as the application rate is so high and they take so few kids.
Let him have a summer of fun!

If he needs this much prep, grammar might not be the best place for him

Time with grandparents is precious especially if they live overseas. I'd go on the holiday and take the books with you

If he needs this much support he won't hack it when he is there. Are you going to continue this level of extra tuition all the way through his schooling? What happens as an adult when he can't manage in his work role because he has been coached every step of the way.

By all means provide him with workbooks so he is familiar with the type of questions but you should really leave him to his own devices after that. Being the bottom of a very bright cohort will do far more damage than being top of a weaker cohort - he'll be invited to more events and opportunities for one and his self esteem and self confidence will be higher.

Poor wee boy, so much pressure and he’s still just a baby really.

Go on holiday! We went away for 2 weeks before my son took the 11+. We took the books with us and just did a little bit each day to keep it fresh in his mind. My friend opted to not go on holiday so that her son could concentrate on studying and nothing else. My son passed and hers didn't. Definitely take the holiday - what will be will be and 1.5 weeks won't make much difference either way. Good luck to your son and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

This is madness! Of course you should go on holiday and forget the books! My daughter is doing GCSEs next year and she needs a break over the summer, let alone 11+. There will always be tests or exams and breaks are just as important for development.

Take the holiday. Do a small amount of reading/practice every day you're there if you must. If every hour of study is critical to him getting a good grade then this school won't be the best fit for him at all. And he is more likely to pass (and succeed in life frankly!) if you help him find the balance between hard work and down time.

Your husband is nuts. Go on holiday.

Take him on holiday.

If he's had all this prep and a week long holiday is enough to scupper his chances, he won't he able to cope at grammar school anyway.