Where to start with prepping 5 yr old for grammar/private school entrance exam

State schools can't select on "type" or extra curricular activities. That would be illegal.

He's 5. Please just let him be a child and explore and learn. If he loves reading that's great. Don't stunt his development with this prep at his age.

Wimbles- FWIW I don't think that what enormoustiger is saying is that outrageous. If parents are 1st generation immigrants and english is not spoken fluently in the home and passing/ failing comes down to a few grade points then those kids will be at a disadvantage. She's not saying all south asian kids underperform in english. If my DS1 's class is anything to go by they were over represented amongst the kids sitting the GS tests, but few achieved a place. As you mentioned, you are second generation and your partner is not of Asian heritage, that is hardly comparable to the families enormous is describing.

State Grammar schools here (up North) are purely academic achievement. It's about how well you do on the day. They don't give two hoots about any extra-curricular stuff.

Do the open days in Year 4, before you seriously invest time and effort. Get a feel. Look at ALL the local schools in year 4.

You DC will probably just want to go where their mates are going anyway.

Don't forget that it's not just academic achievement.

Schools also look for bright, curious and confident kids. They like to see interests and hobbies outside of school and if a child musical, arty or sporty, dont forget scholarships.

Schools have different 'types' - so some want enthusiastic, directed learners, whereas others may look for the little 'absent minded professor' types (bright and very self directed).

Your current school should be able to direct you to the 'right' school for your childs personality.

EnormoisTiger I would suggest you make a few less generalisation about a whole section of society based on your clearly very limited experience

I don't think it would be helpful to debate it but it is so in their school. Now that might be unique to their school but I am just pointing out. It also applies to white British families with poor grammar and accent and spelling too of course.

The Sutton Trust has found that things like social and cultural capital hold people back as much as poor exam results so things like learning an instrument is a good idea.

And they certainly don't suffer from poor written or spoken English - so you actually know any Asian people?!

EnormousCapital - sorry sorry - did I hear right: can we have less of massive generalisations and stereotypes about Asian kids - I'm second gen Asian and my kids are half Asian and we suffer from none of your supposed attributes of Asian people thanks very much.

What classical music has to do with anything I do not know - my DS actually is an accomplished musician but what has that got to do with getting a good school place? To grade 5 no less!

Good advice from hesterton above. Some of my sons' friends who are Asian who are just bright as they are are let down by poor spoken and written English and grammar and accent and in some cases cultural capital. I second learning instruments - ideally pick classical orchestral instruments which are useful for the school orchestra (and the piano) and get through some of the exam grades and grade 5 music theory at primary school if you can. And just relax and enjoy life too.

Chess is another good one. My father taught by brother in secret at bed times when he was 5. I heard about it and age10 got myself a library book on teach yourself chess and learned without a chess board to surprise them.

Sorry EnourmousTiger I wrote my last post in a hurry - I meant the parents at these schools are ultra competitive and are already doing a lot of extra work with their 6/7 year olds...even writing that annoys me!

Such is London parenting - I am seriously considering just opting out of the whole thing with DS2 ...

hesterton that sounds like the best advice I've read in a while.
I'm prepping DS2 (yr 5) for Grammar schools tests in Sept and have been doing some of the above. As he's more naturally able in Maths I surreptitiously widen his vocab by introducing more complex words as you suggest above. And we're reading Agatha Christie together! But I'm not deluding myself, it is a very tough ands competitive fight to get in down here.

btw i had dd's name down with a Tiffin tutor in yr1 (to start 4 years later). We decided not to go down that route and i pulled out before the assessment. If you hear of a good tutor get your name down the earlier the better, even if you think it's crazy madness (like i did) it doesn't harm to put a name down.

You need to give more info really so people can help and you probably can't answer these for a few years

• which secondaries would you ideally like?
• are you looking at academic independents, state grammar (if so, which, the competition varies enormously) or "just" an independent (many are really not hard to get into)
• do you need/want/ your ds has any particular talent that may lead to a scholarship?
• are the schools you're aiming at a common destination from your primary school?

Pick the schools you would like the child to go at 11+ and then have a look at what schools they come from and what exam papers are like. Some private schools put example papers on their websites. Some prep schools will be preparing children for 11+ or 13+ school entry.

I never felt my chidlren's private prep schools hot housed at all by the way- they did loads of music, sport and were quite relaxed about academic work although they were certainly ahead of most state sector primaries principally because most of the children who get in have a fairly high IQ so obviously they are on average going to do better.

I think OP is in London - if she is is SW/Surrey as I suspect the Grammars are super selective unfortunately and good privates are too if not more so - many people with bright kids left disappointed - so I can understand her concern.

Forearmed is forewarned so I do understand the concern - my DS 2 is only in Year 2 burn believe me there are plenty in local state and preps who are already hothousing - it's awful and escalating to the extent that's an above average kid will struggle without proper prep

Are you in a Prep? If so they will probably start introducing verbal/non verbal in Year 3 and generally it's given as weekly homework. If you are in State you can do this easily as the Bond books used are readily available on Amazon or any bookstore.

If it's a Private Senior School and it has a Prepyou could save yourself the hassle and get him in before the end of Year 2 or put him in for the 7 plus entry at the end of Year 2.

If you are in a Grammar School area there will be loads of tutors around and often it's a case of word of mouth from other parents. State Schools generally don't prepare for 11 plus but some get around it by offering it as an after school club.

It can seem daunting but don't worry and there's nothing wrong with being prepared, that time will come around so quickly, hth x

I agree with the music lessons idea too! Both mine started piano in the year before the 11 plus. It challenges their brain in new ways that just doing more maths and English doesn't. My daughter in particular found it hard - and for her it was her first experience of struggling with something and having to work at it - a very valuable experience to have, in my opinion.

Alternatively, if you start early enough and they're talented you potentially open up the door for music scholarships.

The one thing you could start any time from now, that would enrich his learning (and potentially influence his being ready for entrance tests in due course), is music lessons. Listen to a wide range of music at home, look for music activities aimed at children and see what sparks his interest. Then look for a teacher who is confident working with younger children, and expects you to be involved. Only go down this route if it is going to be fun and games.

(coi Suzuki violin teacher. But not in London lol. There are some other good music methods for younger children around also)

We started in the summer before the exams with both our children. In Birmingham we have a number of grammar schools, some of which are harder to get into than others. However I guess they all require at least top 10% of the ability range. My daughter had the choice of two grammar schools (out of a potential 4) and a bursary at the independent King Edwards High. My son only scored highly enough for one grammar school but we're very pleased with that option.

I think the only real benefit of starting earlier would have been to cram more vocabulary. The non-verbal reasoning only really needs a couple of months practice. The Maths and comprehension is just about making sure they have the basics covered and they can work at speed.

I think our children's scores could have been slightly higher with a year of cramming vocab. But the whole process was stressful enough as it was so I'm glad it didn't start even earlier!

I guess you need to look at how competitive the schools are and how good your kids' teachers are/where their strengths lie.

You can't really know this until year 4 at the earliest. Kids develop unevenly anyway. My daughter was always a high achiever from reception onwards. My son got a level 3 in maths at KS1 but only level 2 in literacy- however he improved in juniors with a bit more maturity (he's an August born). Don't worry for a few years yet!

Hi OP

If your plan is to start tutoring at the start of year 5 then it is worth contacting tutors a couple of years beforehand to book your slot (the most desirable tutors get booked up, some years in advance).