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Original poster

11+ this September. How is everyone?

109 replies

SunflowerDuck · 24/08/2022 14:25

My child sits 11+ in September. Just wondering how others in the same position are getting on?

We had plans to do a mock paper for each subject each week but er haven't done that. They've done some bits here and ther andare plodding through some papers this week.

I have the 10min tests we will keep it ticking over with and they are going to do an external mock test.

I am starting to get so anxious for them. They are naturally bright but we could have done more prep than we have...

Only a few weeks to go! I'm thinking of planning something fun for after the test. And maybe not do much the few days before.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Coops1988 · 15/09/2022 17:08

I believe so, before parents started making it bigger and bigger and people realised there was money to be made out of it.

It's a shame for kids in the areas that kept grammars really. So much pressure and competition, but also a two tier system that often disadvantages those who are in some ways most in need of quality education and support.

Coops1988 · 17/09/2022 19:29

And we are done and the wait for results begins.

DD at least came out calm and said she answered all questions, only outright guessing one. None of the stuff she really hates came up, but she also didn't come out confidently saying its gone really well etc, but that's in part I think down to her personality/response to pressure.

I'm taking the fact she had time to answer everything and only outright guessed one question as positives and just hoping her score is reflective of how she did with the familiarisation materials last week.

SunflowerOrange · 17/09/2022 19:54

Well done Coops DD!

We have another week to go. Did a maths paper and got 80% but went over the time so a bit disappointed it's not higher/faster at this stage. Going to go over tricky bits tomorrow. VR is really good so may do some 10 min tests this week and that's it! English I think we're as good as we'll get now, just want ti's ee if there's some maths points we can improve on!

Howmanysleepsnow · 18/09/2022 11:01

Joining late, ours is next Saturday. DS is ok on maths, though could be faster. English seems to panic him so I’m thinking to back off a bit on practice now, I doubt there’s a lot more we can do.

SunflowerOrange · 22/09/2022 18:23

So 2 days to go here. We're doing a couple of 10 minute tests tonight just to keep it ticking over, but have really backed off in general. I hope that was the right choice!

At the moment I'm imagining all her friends going to the grammar and her going alone to the estate school!

Coops1988 · 22/09/2022 23:00

I've spoken to a bunch of Mums and honestly you're not alone! We're all seemingly flipping between (over)confidence and visions of tragedy daily 🤣

SunflowerOrange · 23/09/2022 04:58

When do you find out? Ours is 3 weeks after the test (tomorrow !!!)

Good luck everyone on this thread xx

Pipsquiggle · 23/09/2022 06:54

Good luck.

I have taken comfort in the fact that DC and us couldn't have done any more. He's worked hard for over a year so if he passes or doesn't get the mark, I am alright with that.

We find out on 14th October
Apparently the DC get an envelope at school and told to open it at home

thing47 · 23/09/2022 11:39

At the moment I'm imagining all her friends going to the grammar and her going alone to the estate school!

Just to point out that grammar schools are, in fact, state schools.

DD2 was in this position, but honestly they make new friends at secondary school anyway, it's actually quite unusual to stay close friends with people from primary. She didn't know a soul when she started but now has lovely friendship group who are always round ours.

SunflowerOrange · 23/09/2022 15:51

Yes I said "estate" not state! We live on an estate.... so it isn't the "desirable" secondary for the area - I'm sure they'd be okay though!

Howmanysleepsnow · 24/09/2022 07:15

Good luck @SunflowerOrange DD! Ours is today too.

SunflowerOrange · 24/09/2022 07:19

Good luck to your DS. Its strange that day is finally here! No more 10min tests after today!

We chilled last night in the end and she seems okay this morning. I hope she does okay and doesn't crumble 🤞. (Will be proud of her whatever she does but so hope she is on form!)

Good luck to you DS as well and anyone else sitting today.

Howmanysleepsnow · 24/09/2022 07:31

We’ve eased off a lot this week, but the stress is still showing! He seems ok so far this morning but last night the strain was definitely showing. If he holds it together he should do ok, but there’s over1200 dc for 180 places so chances are slim anyway.

Howmanysleepsnow · 24/09/2022 16:00

How did it go @SunflowerOrange ? DS finished both papers and had time to check his work so that’s something. There were 2 questions he said were confusing though, one on each paper, so he just took a guess.
it’s going to be a long 4 weeks till results day.

SunflowerOrange · 24/09/2022 17:06

Well done Howmanysleep's DS! I've looked but can't see how many apply for our school. It seemed a lot this morning!

My Dd said all 3 were okay. A couple of questions on each one she wasn't sure on and nothing awful. But she also said she didn't think she had done as well as in her mocks so 🙄. She seemed happy but I think part of that was relief for just finishing it!

Coops1988 · 24/09/2022 22:25

We're done they're done, it's done! Well done everyone! 🥳

Now here's to a gut wrenching 3-4 weeks flitting between hopeful expectation and thoughts of impending despair 😆

SunflowerOrange · 25/09/2022 22:39

Wow I'm only one day into waiting and I want to know now! I've started to panic a bit about our second choice of school if she doesn't pass...and googling appeals...

Howmanysleepsnow · 25/09/2022 22:46

@SunflowerOrange I’m so glad it’s not just me! I started off really pleased with how he said it went, now I’m desperately wondering how he’ll cope if it’s bad news: after all, only 15% can get in so chances aren’t great… Despite telling myself it doesn’t matter, I’m tying myself in knots worrying. I wish I had some way of gauging how other dc did (ie did most finish? Did they find it hard?) as I’m not sure I can do 3.5 more weeks of waiting…
DS slept 12.5 hours last night, which he’s never done before in his life (9 hours is his maximum and always has been) so I’m guessing he’s been really stressed and just doing a good job holding it together. I really hope it wasn’t for nothing.

Howmanysleepsnow · 08/10/2022 11:16

Has anyone got results yet? If you don’t mind I’d really appreciate updates as to how your dc actually did vs how they thought they’d done when they came out. Still 2 weeks to wait here and DS is very over sensitive at the moment so I’m a bit worried how he’ll cope on results day and wondering if I should prepare for the worst

SunflowerOrange · 08/10/2022 12:48

1 more week til we find out!

She did so well in her mocks I veer between thinking "oh she'll be okay" and thinking "hmm she missed some questions out and said it didn't go as well as the mocks..." It's so harsh that so much comes down to how they do in one day.

Her friends all said it went fine and they can't all get in so I'm guessing it will be a fine line between pass and fail.

I hate waiting! And I don't want her to not get in 😔

Pipsquiggle · 08/10/2022 14:31

We find out at 3:30pm on Friday when the school gives my DC a brown envelope. We're starting to get nervous.

Any advice from anyone who has gone through this before - how to manage DC and their friends with the mixture of good and not so good news?

Coops1988 · 09/10/2022 16:35

The only school who have said anything have said Monday 17th. Sigh. Wish it was sooner.

SunflowerOrange · 09/10/2022 16:40

Pis- I'm a bit worried about mine going into school Monday if she hasn't got in, being surrounded but girls who have... 😔

SunflowerOrange · 09/10/2022 16:41

Also handling the disappointment and being perky about what is really the Plan B school!

Coops1988 · 09/10/2022 19:21

I think it's a case of acknowledging their feelings about it and just trying to help them through it if they end up disappointed. Conversely they may need to try to be sensitive to disappointed friends.
I know if DD doesn't do well enough for the school she wants she will be upset, but I'm just hoping we've done enough groundwork on "we're finding the right school for you and if you don't pass then the grammars wouldn't be right" (whilst also trying not to give ghe impression we don't think she can/has got high enough, whilst also not acting so over positive that if she hasn't got high enough she feels like she's let us down! MINEFIELD!).

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