to think that the 11plus forum is the scariest forum in the world!

[stillenacht]

anyone agree??

LDriver, I've just joined Mumsnet especially to give you some advice

I was in your position last year. I didn't even ask my child's teacher regarding the exam, as I felt it was putting myself forward too much. I thought I would be "above my station".

However, my son was keen to sit the exam for a superselective grammar, despite my reservations.

I joined the 11 plus forum, despite my fear about some really scary mums. It turned out they gave really helpful advice. Thanks to them, I coached my son myself, as I didn't want to pay for the extortionate tutors around here. And to my enormous surprise, he passed.

Therefore, my advice to you would be to join their forum immediately and explain your situation. There are people there of all religions and types. The one thing they have in common is that they've all either been through it or are in the same position as you.

Good Luck! (And after all, it's anonymous, so why worry)

Hi LDriver

It seems that I can't quite stay away from your problem, despite the origins of this thread.

(Please could others bear with me while I support LDriver, despite your views on my "other forum"?)

The teacher is anti-grammar, plain and simple. Any comment such as "grammar schools "attract a certain type of pupil" is rooted in beliefs that are sexist, racist, elitist, political, something, blah. Sometimes it can even indicate that the teacher is not confident in their own ability or does not understand the system locally. I have dealt with a few cases like this recently and I have been left feeling very angry at the attitudes of some "figures of authority".

Please do not rely on the school for further factual information about the 11+. If this teacher is representative of the school you will not receive reliable information.

I agree that the scores are very good for Year 5 and your child appears to be sufficiently able to attempt the 11+ if that is the way you want to go.

You posted the NVR score - which is excellent, but not scores for VR (Verbal Reasoning) or QR (Quantitative Reasoning). Were they lower, or did the school not conduct the tests? That does happen when resources are limited, because SATs will test VR and QR (via English & Maths) to some extent but NVR is not a part of the curriculum.

As the writing score is lower, at 4c, I would suggest that you focus on supporting your child in that area. Regardless of the 11+ it will hold him or her in good stead in future. Try Woodland Junior School's fabulous website for resources on almost anything.

LDriver, the last thing I wish to do is add to your worry about the 11+. If you would prefer me to just go back to my "dungeon" in the other place and leave you to get on with it here, please just say so.

Hi LDriver,

I am one of the scary mums on the 11+ forum and we are all fascinated by your 'problem'.
What I will say is GO FOR IT!!!!

My sweet,quiet and unassuming DD has a high IQ, is very bright and did not have any tutoring at all for the 11+ exams in our region. I am so pleased she scored a hat-trick,nonetheless for TWO independent schools and into a very selective grammar, coming in the top 30s in the scores for that exam for admission Sept 2010.

Your child's scores are very promising and since you have such faith in his/her natural abilities, like I had with my DD, you would not lose anything by trying for the 11+ exams. Otherwise you might never know whether the passes could have been achieved or not. Ignore the teacher's comments. They make no sense whatsoever! SallyAnneToo is right that the teacher is blatantly anti-grammar and a lot of other things as well.

If you need to be scary to get what you want, you have to ignore many people; even close friends,acquaintances,relatives or colleagues who think they know better or give you zero support.Many people I know were thinking we were above our station to consider all these exams.Why did we not just go to the perfectly reasonable local comprehensive and that I was a pushy mum. But it is YOUR child and you should feel confident that the scores will improve in the next few months. Get some papers and start familiarising and we hope to see you on the scary forum to hear your good news next year!!

Better still, come over now. We will try to make sure you get all the help you need. On balance,it's better to be scary and pushy than scared and regretful.

Just to add that you don't have to use the same Username you have on here and no-one will know who you are. Totally anonymous and since your child's teacher and school seem to be anti-grammar they are not going to be reading your about your problems. You can ask your other friends who are interested and have bright children to visit the 11+ forum and at least have a look around to see if they want to go down that path. It will be a travesty if bright and able children miss opportunities like these just because the school does not promote it or that they don't know what is out there.

Be warned there is a freaky pinky baby that pops up all over the place on the forum but it is just a reminder that we are all mums and dads looking out for our clever DCs like you are.

"I passed my driving test!!!!!!!!!!!"

LDriver No More,

Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!

Very well done!

Absolutely pleased for you!

Was this your first go?

And you passed this at a grand old/young age of?

Never say never!

We got to fight,fight,fight for this love!

(oops, sorry, the last one is the lyrics to silly song)

anyway.....

Is this so that you can drive your child to a faraway scary grammar?