Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Tutoring for 11+ or not?

80 replies

MacaroonMama · 14/02/2018 13:57

Hi All,

First post on this board so apologies if it should be on another board.

DS1 is just 9, in Y4 of a SE London C of E all-through school. He is exceptionally bright (from teachers not just me being doting mum!) Also I am a secondary teacher (on extended mat leave) and can see how he is way ahead in many subject areas.

So anyway, we are thinking of applying to a grammar school, probably just one as otherwise distance will be too much (no car). Just wondered if we should tutor or not? I think we should go through some past papers to familiarise him with the style of test, but surely if he needs masses of coaching, he shouldn't really be thinking of grammar school?

Any thoughts? DH and I both went to (and have taught in) comprehensives so we are unfamiliar with the system.

Thanks for any suggestions Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
MacaroonMama · 14/02/2018 15:42

Thanks so much both, those are both really helpful and thoughtful posts.

GuestWW yes, I can imagine - the whole system doesn't quite sit well with me either. I wish that all schools were the same until 14, then the children did some kind of test to see where their strengths lay, and run there could be streaming - academic, creative, practical, vocational, I don't know - just a way of showing all pupils that they were equally good but just different.

Thanks for the link.

forfoxsake I will be saying exactly the same and eye-rolling too then! I suppose I feel if we are going to do it, we should do it properly and if everyone tutors, so should we. Hmmm...

Thanks again both

OP posts:
Wheresthebeach · 14/02/2018 15:34

Yes tutor. You'll hear stories about children getting in without any, but really nearly everyone does so they have time practicing the technique.This is especially the case with Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning papers where the tutors really do know how to help your child work the problem out.

Your child will be up against children from Prep schools who will have had lots of practice and help in school to pass exams as it's the schools reputation on the line. I remember discovering that the most 'I'd never tutor a child' parent in the playground had in fact been having her daughter tutored for 3 years in maths.

People aren't honest about this stuff and bright children need help tool!

crazycrofter · 14/02/2018 15:31

We’re not in your area (but Birmingham so it’s super-selective) and we didn’t tutor. Both our children got into a grammar school (although not the most competitive one) and dd also got a bursary to a selective independent.

We did prepare them though. The format is very different to key stage 2, speed is of the essence and the non-verbal reasoning was new to them. They both scored at the level i’d have expected, given my assessment of their ability (probably not as bright as your son!). I don’t think they’d have done much better with another 10 months of preparation to be honest - it’s only basic maths and English after all! It’s mainly the speed aspect that differentiates and I think most kids reach their natural level after a bit of practice.

So I’d say do it yourself if you have time. We started in the June before the exam (which was first week of Sept) and that was enough.

Ohforfoxsakereturns · 14/02/2018 15:10

Speed, accuracy, test technique - sensible to tutor IMO.

I wasn’t comfortable tutoring initially, but it really is a case of ‘everyone’ does it in some form or another, whether they outsource it or do it themselves.

Practice, filling in the knowledge gaps, timing. Most valuable thing my DCs learnt was how to work through the paper most efficiently.

(I am rolling my eyes at myself here!)

GuestWW · 14/02/2018 15:02

Try the 11+ forum which is a wealth of information on this subject. I don't know your area but if you can afford to tutor then you most likely should, everyone else will be... It is an emotive area, not just tutoring but the whole grammar school system so be prepared for that as well.

www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/

Swipe left for the next trending thread