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Original poster

Anyone up for a Yr5 11+ prep/tutoring support thread? <wibble>

40 replies

ChippyMinton · 14/10/2011 10:01

Not something I thought I'd be doing, but having done the rounds of the local secondaries' open evenings, DH and I have decided to go down the 11+ route with DS.

I'm having a major wobble, as it's a big step into the unknown for us all (PFB an' all that). Old hands, please come and tell me it will be worth it. And if you are embarking on this with your Yr5, sign up for some mutual hand-holding. and provided.

OP posts:

heretobefriendly · 15/10/2011 18:24

Congats Viva and Wormshuffler!

We found out our DD has passed today - thrilled, but like Viva, won't relax until March when we will know if she has a place at our chosen school.

We already have DS at grammar school who wasn't professionally tutored, just as others have mentioned, papers/books from Smiths and elevenplusexams website. We did have a tutor for our DD just for the last three months, purely because she needed a bit more discipline. Her practice with us was very hit and miss but because she had the 1 hour a week tuition on the same day and time it really helped her to focus better.

With both DS and DD they carried on with all their after school/normal activities.

Thefidgetysheep, hormones could well play a part!!

Good luck, it's certainly a nerve-wracking experience!

heretobefriendly · 15/10/2011 18:33

Sorry - congrats - been a stressful day!!

VivaLeBeaver · 15/10/2011 18:41

Congrats HereToBe's dd. She must have a good chance of getting a place if she has an older brother at the school.

heretobefriendly · 15/10/2011 22:31

Thanks Viva!

Unfortunately, DS at all boys grammar so won't make any difference, but we are hopeful.

Good luck to all who are starting out with 11+ or nearing exams/awaiting results.

Hullygully · 16/10/2011 11:04

seeker - did you not even do familiarisation papers?

seeker · 16/10/2011 11:58

hullygully, we did one of each at home with as much time as he needed, and another one of each under timed conditions. Then he did one of each at school. That's it.

Hullygully · 16/10/2011 12:07

Presumably you were happy with his answers and timing then!

seeker · 16/10/2011 12:15

"Up to a point, Lord Copper!"

NappyShedSal · 16/10/2011 23:04

I started reading this thread last week and panicked a bit. I have a DD in Year 5, so went and bought some of the Bond Assessment papers. Maths is her weakest area (not top group in her class, think she's probably second group) so started with the Maths paper today. She didn't do very well at all - 40%. I am hoping that this is because this is the first time she has ever sat a paper like this. It was also very heavily weighted with fractions and percentages questions, which she finds tricky.
So, for those of you further down the line - did any of your children start with low scores like this and get there? Or am I being completely unrealistic?

I'm going to get her to the NVR and VR papers later this week, to see how she does on those.

VivaLeBeaver · 17/10/2011 00:13

Dd got 28% the first practice she did which would have been nvr or vr as we don't have maths here. I put it down to the fact the they don't do anything like vr or nvr in school. She's just passed the eleven plus.

VivaLeBeaver · 17/10/2011 00:13

Oh and we only started after Easter, so you have plenty of time to get her up to speed.

moajab · 17/10/2011 23:07

Congratulations to all those who passed! We're plodding on here at home - did some VR tonight and he seems to be getting the hang of it and he really impressed me with his comprehension at the weekend. But seems to be finding the Maths really hard, which is strange as it's his strongest subject! Also we've just heard that the test in probably going to be brought forward next year, so know that we have less than a year to go! But on the plus side we will at least know results before choosing a school, which will be easier I think.

lookbutdonttouch · 18/10/2011 13:16

Hi and Congrats to all those that passed - massive achievement. And well done to those that didnt. All that work deserves a well done no matter the outcome.

Found out that my DD passed both her grammar school entrance exams yesterday and yes she had a tutor, however........

She only went fortnightly rather than all the time (as some of her cohorts did) and the tutor did some prep work and papers with her and we did some papers (that he set) at home.

Working full time and with a complete blind spot when it comes to NVR (not much better with maths) it seemed only fair to get someone who could help her with that. The arguments if I had been trying to assist would not have been pleasant..... Didnt want to over do it though hence the fortnightly ....

Some of her friends upped their tutor sessions to twice a week before the exams and were totally stressed.

I do think some outside help is necessary sometimes!

moajab · 24/10/2011 23:29

Just bumping this and wanted to know how everyone is getting on? We seem to be doing ok - DS has been putting in the extra work without too much nagging! :o I've decided to not do any over halfterm so he gets a break from it and I don't have to feel too pushy!

N5er · 02/04/2012 10:59

Hello

I just wanted to highlight that I am an ex-primary and preparatory school teacher, and very experienced tutor (18 years and counting) and run Saturday morning, 11+ classes for Year 5s in Islington, in English and Maths. Please do have a look at my website for more details. I have a few places left for Summer Term 2012.

Denise

www.elevenplusclasses.co.uk

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