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Original poster

How many of us have DS or DD going into year 6 and so having secondary transfer this year?

491 replies

RTKangaMummy · 31/08/2005 21:16

How many of us have DS or DD going into year 6 and so having secondary transfer this year?

How do you feel about it?

DS goes back to school next Monday into class 6.

He has been at same school since Jan 1999, so sort of 7 years this year.

There is one class per year and they are a very close class, have got 26 children.

How do you feel about them entering into their last year at Junior school?

I feel sad that he is going to be leaving.

Is there anybody else who is going through this especially for the first time?

DS doesn't have any younger siblings so when he leaves primary school that will be the end for the family as well. IYSWIM.

Added to this is the secondary transfer issues.

I am sure when it comes to next summer he will be ready to leave as will probably grown up alot by then.

I was just wondering if others were thinking the same as me or whether it is just me being a silly neurotic mother again

.

OP posts:
MadMaz · 23/12/2005 23:41

tigermoth really interested in your posts about greenwich/bexley schools. been doing a similar thing for dd though I started a year early in checking them out. without wishing to name names of schools does your son go to a mixed school? and if so how do i contact you to ask for advice thanks

RTKangaSantaMummy · 03/01/2006 21:57

Are your DS/DD going back to school to tests?

Practice SATS IIRC

Icemum · 03/01/2006 22:33

Yup, DD1 straight back to practise sats tomorrow. Loads of homework over the christmas break too. She's starting to feel the pressure now, have tried telling her that as long as she does her best then she'll do well(which she will).

Also DD3 starts reception tomorrow so I think that we are going to be in for a tough term.

RTKangaSantaMummy · 03/01/2006 22:38

He didn't have homework over holiday

But he has the tests for our preferred school next week and so he has been doing papers etc.

It is english maths verbal reasoning next tuesday

I just wish they would stop with all these SATS I couldn't care 2 hoots about them TBH

would rather they spent the time and energy teaching rather than testing IYSWIM

RTKangaSantaMummy · 03/01/2006 22:39

Does sound like you are in for a hard time tomoorow and in the coming weeks

Icemum · 03/01/2006 22:44

Good luck to your DS for next week.

To be honest we don't really think alot about the sats - (unless comparing DD2 KS1 results with her cousins . We usually refer to the NFER for some reason as a better indicator as to how they have improved or maintained their standards.

RTKangaSantaMummy · 03/01/2006 23:29

Thanks

He will then have interview soon after

He did very well in NfER tests

Hallgerda · 05/01/2006 09:34

RTK, I sympathise over the practice SATS. DS1 did them before Christmas, and has just gone back to the aftermath. He did fine, but most of the class didn't, so he's in for some long and tedious revision sessions. I think I may have to print off some puzzles for him to do under the desk, or leave him to find his own salacious reading matter. He can't wait to go to secondary school.

RTKangaSantaMummy · 05/01/2006 11:17

He had them all day yesterday and prob some more today

I wouldn't mind if there was a reason for them for the children's future.

BTW I come from a family of teachers and am married to one so it isn't anything against them just the system

Hallgerda · 05/01/2006 12:45

While I'm pretty cheesed off about my own son's time being wasted over the SATs, I wouldn't quite agree there's no reason for them for the children's future. True, it's the school rather than the child that is affected by the result. However, it's surely a good thing for many children that their primary schools are under pressure to get them to a basic standard. (It really is a basic standard - have you seen a SATs KS2 science paper? Lovely questions about why a lamp doesn't illuminate the ground under the table on which it's placed, and how a fishing net works!)

I hope your son's test goes well next week - DS1 got his last one out of the way on Tuesday and I'm so glad it's over.

mandylifeboats · 05/01/2006 18:26

DS2 went back to school today to practice SATs, completely unexpected, and no homework set over Christmas! he wasn't fazed tho as he sat 11+ yesterday so has been exercising the old grey matter a bit in the holidays.

RTKangaSantaMummy · 05/01/2006 18:30

Thanks

He is very nervous about next weeks one cos it is for the school we all want

Yes I guess the SATS are a good idea but why practise for sooooooooooo long? I agree that it is good to have all schools aiming for same standard but just wish they didn't spend soooooo long in the run up to them

RTKangaSantaMummy · 05/01/2006 18:32

how did he do yesterday?

mandylifeboats · 05/01/2006 18:44

RTK, good luck to your DS for tests, my DS enjoyed his day, wanted to do it again today! Suspect that was in preference to going back to school though! He did 10+ last year so knew what to expect, soooo much less nerves and able to concentrate on the challenge instesd. Fingers, toes, eyes and ears crossed now!

RTKangaSantaMummy · 05/01/2006 18:52

Thanks

He did the grammar school ones in November so he sort of knows what to expect although next week is all day with 3 papers rather than 2, english maths and verbal reasoning

we are trying to be cool about it with him but not sure if it is working though

RTKangaSantaMummy · 05/01/2006 18:52

which county are you in that does 10+ ?

mandylifeboats · 05/01/2006 19:06

West Midlands, but its Independant, not Grammar school though

RTKangaSantaMummy · 05/01/2006 19:41

So is DS one next week

so was 10+ for prep school? none of them round here do them for 10+

they do either 7+ for prep school or 11+ and 13+ for senior school

Icemum · 06/01/2006 11:43

Well we can tell the pressure is getting to DD, she's started sleep walking. Hasn't done that for a long time!! At lreast she doesn't have any recollection of it which is a blessing.

RTKangaSantaMummy · 06/01/2006 11:48

oh my goodness

do you have a stairgate?

what do you do? I have no experience of sleepwalkers.

Do you know what specially she is worried about?

Has she got any more tests etc?

Icemum · 06/01/2006 12:15

Don't have a stairgate as she is a very leggy 11 yr old and would fall straight over the top of it! We tend to put her straight back to bed after some weird and wonderfull conversations that you can only have when she's sleep walking

There's been lots of talk in the playground as to who as applied to which school, yet more practise sats and also support and settle staff (think thats what they are called)from the various schools have started to visit, so i think suddenly it has dawned on her that she will actually have to leave her safe lovely primary and join a bigger bustling secondary school.

RTKangaSantaMummy · 06/01/2006 12:27

crumbs but @ convers with sleeping DD

crikey didn't realise that the senior visitors would start this early

Icemum · 06/01/2006 12:33

One of the seniors started their visits before christmas.

RTKangaSantaMummy · 06/01/2006 12:34

ShockShockShock

mandylifeboats · 06/01/2006 13:12

About 10+, its for senior independant school, described as pre-selection assessment, exact same exam as 11+ , head gives an indication of likelihood of success at 11+, a pass at 10+ earns a provisional place which is converted to definite place on passing exam again at 11+. Main benefit is that children get to experience exam preparation, exam day nerves, whole 11+ experience with safety net of another chance a year later. My DS was much less nervous, knew precisely what to expect. I have to say though, I am just as much of a nervous wreck now waiting for the results as I was last year or 3 years ago when DS1 did 11+!