AIBU to think this is ridiculous.

[mumtoateen]

DS(10)'s school are holding a residential in September. Sandwiched right between the two 11+ tests.
AIBU to think this is ridiculous? The first test, the children will be concentrating on the residential NOT the test, and the second one they'll have been travelling the day before and will be too tired.
WIBU to keep DS off the residential?

Are all of the children going to sit the 11+?

I'd have thought most children with a hope of passing would have mastered the concepts by that time.

For the 11+ here, 10 year olds need to be working at Level 6 really, so a week away won't make any difference if they are not at that level already.
A week of cramming won't do them any good, and a week away won't do them any harm.

If your son is a borderline case, cramming might help him feel like he's in with a chance, but missing out on the residential will be miserable for him.

But a week of terrible sleep and excitement WILL affect them. They're going on a trip away, a group of 11yo boys will not sleep well.
He's going to get the concepts, he's already L6. But the sleep is the part I am worried about

If your child is unusually affected by a lack of sleep, by all means withdraw from the trip.

Most 10 year olds (including mine) would be fine with it.

How many children in his year will be doing the 11+?
In DD's year there will be about 20 out of 90 at most, I wouldn't expect the school to accommodate that.
Many teachers and Heads don't really agree with Grammars anyway so it's not likely they would consider the test when planning the trip

His year is 30 people, around 20 are doing it
Hopping, I'm pretty sure his teachers do agree with grammar's. Hence why they've been doing weekly 11+ prep since the beginning of this year.

God, that is an impossible choice! I would never keep mine from a residential I think they're so important... but 5 years and GCSEs may rest on the exams!

Nora, I don't know whst I would do. The lack of sleep wouldn't worry me but I don't think he would be in a good place to focus. How competent is he generally? Do you think he has a good chance of passing?

He has an excellent chance, but is affected by a lack of sleep. it's also a bad idea for them to be going away when they have a chance to revise

At dds old school the residential was always held the week before half term so they will recover.

Very bad timing.

If the school concentrates that much on 11+, I presume they've thought about this when organising the trip. Have you asked them what their logic is? They may take the view that it's better for the children not to be worrying themselves into a frenzy at that stage.

Is this a state school? In which case are you sure they have been doing 11+ prep? Because they shouldn't be!

Surely you could pick him up a night early?

I've been thinking sbout this. I also spent the last year of primary learning my 11 Plus. I think if I had to sit the exam now I would still pass with flying colours - and not because I am bright (I'm not).

I was taught the skills - how to read the question, how to respond, how to find the right points, or the pattern.

I remember that residential trip with very strong fond memories. One of my friends didn't go and for all of secondary school I felt she missed out.

I would let him go, and hope for the best. I really couldn't take that experience away when he had a good chance.