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Original poster

11+ prep - worth trying?

30 replies

Bestbabbymum · 26/09/2017 22:24

Hello all

My DC is in year 5 now and we are thinking whether 11+ is worth trying. He is good at math, VR, NVR but struggles with English. Our nearest secondary is not where we want him to be. So it's either to try grammar schools or independent ones. The nearest grammar is Tiffin but competition is high. Other grammar schools far away (Buckinghamshire) but they said that they have no catchment areas, i.e. anyone can apply. My question is would it be easier to get into one of Buckinghamshire grammars or Tiffin? Should we actually do any prep if chances are litlle? Most of DC classmates are just going to aplly to local states. Any advice is much appreciated!

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JoJoSM2 · 09/10/2017 15:38

Schools websites often have sample papers. Or at least find out which subjects and pop to WH Smith’s or Waterstones- they stock a choice of books.

Pradaqueen · 09/10/2017 15:02

Mumsey2007 - why don't you attend the open evening next Monday and ask the school? They might be able to point you in the right direction? Else start a new thread as this one is generally for 'the 11+ for Essex/bucks/Kent' etc

Mumsey2007 · 09/10/2017 14:53

Hello , I am new to mumsnet but desperate to hear from parents whose daughters are st St Marylebone CofE school or Grey Coat. My daughter is sitting for 11+ assessment tests soon. Could you please help with what type of questions are asked in the assessment papers . Do you have any past papers for this school. Much obliged if any one can assist .

JoJoSM2 · 06/10/2017 19:41

Look at the admission information. It will tell you how close to the school you need to live. If it's much closer than the current distance, then there's nothing to worry about.

Original poster
Bestbabbymum · 05/10/2017 21:01

Sorry by state I just mean non selective local schools. They seem to be good in our area (Teddington Twickenham) apart from one (ousted 4). So what if the only place we get is at that school? If it can be somehow confirmed that we can get a place at a local state school (ofsted 1) then I wouldn't try grammar schools or independent ones.

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JoJoSM2 · 05/10/2017 11:43

It wouldn't be four different things to prep for. Usually, everyone does English and Maths exams. In addition, independent schools do verbal reasoning and some might do non-verbal.

With regards to names for schools: comprehensive - state, no academic selection
grammar - state, selective
Independent- you pay, selective

poisonedbypen · 05/10/2017 09:03

And the schools may be full at 13.Some don't have entry then anyway.Unless you are talking about independent schools? You have confused me with your talk of "state" & "grammar".

poisonedbypen · 05/10/2017 09:01

Grammar schools are state schools Confused

Original poster
Bestbabbymum · 05/10/2017 08:54

The problem is that each school has its own exams so need to do different prep for each((

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JoJoSM2 · 04/10/2017 22:29

What's the problem with sitting exams at 4 different schools?

FoxyinherRoxy · 04/10/2017 22:04

The problem with applying later is that there may not be places.

Either you decide where he goes, or leave it to him (and that will be where his friends go).

You seem keen on the grammar route, so I would do the prep in a bid to create ‘choices’. He doesn’t have To choose a grammar if he passes.

Original poster
Bestbabbymum · 04/10/2017 20:51

DS loves science and some of the grammar and local schools we attended have excellent science labs so he wants to get into one of these. I am very academic myseokf and was totally self motivated as a child. DS is less so but this is down to many factors - school friends not doing 11+, toys and games etc. He doesn't get to watch much telly or play games during weekdays only a couple of hours in weekends. He does his school homework very eagerly but they get very little of it (one page of math and one of English). I would prefer him to study more so we do some extra (bond books) but not much. I think he has the potential which would be sad not to develop. Loves reading books too, always reads about an hour before going to bed while I take my little one to bed.

I just think it would be so much easier if all schools had a single 11+ approach so that the children could sit one set of tests rather than several! DS is willing to do the prep but i am concerned that he will have to sit for exams at 4 schools hence hesitating if we should do it now. Or perhaps applying to local states now, then trying 13+ at a later stage when he is a bit more mature. He is an August born child so one of the youngest in his class. Any thoughts from summer born boys parents?

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christinarossetti · 04/10/2017 19:24

Even more than that, I'd say that it boils down the the motivation of the child to want to get into either a particular school or any grammar school. This may because they're very motivated academically, are naturally competitive, love something about a particular school or want to please their parents or a combination of those things.

JoJoSM2 · 04/10/2017 19:03

Boils down to your parenting. Some parents want their children to be academic, get ahead, get into selective schools. That entails a lot of preparation and studying. If you're not that fussed about attainment, then don't spend time studying.

Original poster
Bestbabbymum · 04/10/2017 18:35

Hello all

Thanks for your responses. A new dilemma now having attended open days at both local state schools and grammar schools. All seem to be very nice. The state ones don't seem to be very different from the grammar ones. Just wondering if it's worth doing any 11+ prep now while DS friends parents are simply going to apply to local states. How easy would that be not to have so much free time. On the other hand I would prefer DS to do more studies now and try either grammars or independents. Anyone been in a similar position?

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FoxyinherRoxy · 28/09/2017 18:38

How will he cope if he gets in? Will he bob along in the bottom sets? Or could he be in the top sets at high school?

Where will he get the best education experience for him? Grammars are all very different and aren’t necessarily the best fit for all, no matter how bright.

JoJoSM2 · 28/09/2017 18:34

If he isn't great at English but sporty, then the right independent school might be a better fit and also more likely for him to get in. I would still prep him for 11+ to make sure he performs to the best of his ability in exams. Competitive clubs are a good idea if he's willing and good at a particular sport (not just for school application but a boost to his self-esteem too).

Taffeta · 28/09/2017 17:13

I'd only sign him up for squads and competitive sport if he's interested in it.

poisonedbypen · 28/09/2017 17:10

The superselectives have stellar GCSE results because they select so highly at 11 plus. Buckinghamshire grammars take approx 30% (35 maybe?) Of children so have a much wider range. You won't get in from where you are though so it is a waste of effort, money (for the schools) & stress.

Original poster
Bestbabbymum · 28/09/2017 16:57

Dear all, thanks for your responses. I would probably give this idea if 11+ tutoring if chances to get into grammars are little. DC is above average in most subjects but not English. Going private (Hampton) is the other option we consider but they only test math and English not VR:VNR plus they look at music/sport achievements. DS does a lot of sport (clubs every day but each club once a week) but they all non competitive. Should we actually sign him up for squads some that he can compete.

Thanks again for any advice

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Ollycat · 28/09/2017 15:26

Sorry meant to add my children are in a Bucks grammar school - for the last few years they have not offered places beyond 3 miles in catchment - so not all of catchment.

Ollycat · 28/09/2017 15:22

Bucks Grammars all have catchment areas. You have to qualify (121+) and then spaces are given to catchment first and then OOC by distance.

Where do you live? Look at past allocations- I would think if you are close to Tiffin that it would be very unlikely that you live close enough to any Bucks school to get a place!

Nanglo789 · 28/09/2017 15:14

We did Tiffin and Sutton GS last year. Sutton ones are much easier to get into. Tiffin is extremely hard - specially maths. Some of the questions i have seen are more like year 8-9, they still follow the basics but the child will need to think logically - they are looking for someone who can use their brains to solve these problems.

English 1st round is full of vocabulary and SPAG - is your DC a keen reader, if so he will be at an advantage. For secodn stage you will need to start preparing now as there won't be enough time between the two tests.

You have almost one year to prepare - if your DC and you are dedicated plus he is top set in class, it is doable.

BubblesBuddy · 27/09/2017 13:20

It is easier to get into a Bucks grammar. It does not take a very bright child with tons of prep to get a place and certainly not from Y3.

However, they will cut off applicants by distance if they are over subscribed. So living a huge commute away will not get you a place because so many more will live fairly locally, especially in the South of the county. Bucks has 13 grammar schools so does not set the bar as high as the super-selectives such as Tiffin. Their results are first class though and you would not be disappointed in any of them. They just have a few less stellar pupils than Tiffin!

Wimbles101 · 27/09/2017 10:44

Sorry to answer your question: unless your boy is extremely bright and at the top of the top sets he will struggle with only one year's prep. The boys are often tutored from about yr 3 if not earlier.

At this point someone usually pipes up that their child only prepared in the summer - pls remember that the standards are getting ever higher and generally this is the exception and not the rule!

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