Help with tutoring 11+ - I'm a teacher

[CandyLoo]

I've posted this in 'Staffroom' but haven't had any replies so thought I'd try here.
I tutor on a self employed basis, I'm a teacher who's just tutoring at the moment , Key stages 1 and 2.
I've been asked to tutor a Year 5 girl for an exam later this year, for a selective state school.
My question is, where to start looking for resources etc. and just general info about the 11+, what it entails. The family have lent me some Bond practice books that they've been working through, but are there any good websites, advice etc.?
The parents seem to think not every school assess writing in the 11+, does anyone know? Many thanks

I'm a ks2 teacher (of 15 years) and successfully 'tutored' my DS for the 11+ last year. The main thing you need to be aware of is that not every area is the same for the 11+. Many test different things. We are in Essex so had VR, maths and English. Other areas have just VR, some do non-VR and others have a writing composition.

Find out the schools the child wants to apply for and look up the test details. Bond books can be useful in the early stages for maths and English but are largely irrelevant for some VR tests- there are much better VR resources out there.

I can be more specific when you find out more details.

Also, look up your area on the 11+forum. There is a wealth of information and expertise over there!

The eleven plus varies from region to region. www.elevenplusexams.co.uk has loads of information

Do the parents of the Year 5 girl know you have no clue what the 11+ format is in your area? I assume you have told them you have no experience tutoring for 11+ but would look up info on a parenting forum?

If you have been completely honest and they still want you to tutor then good luck with finding the info you need. If you haven't then may be you should and then see if they still want to employ you. There are a lot of desperate parents keen to get their dcs tutored for 11+ and plenty of tutors without experience that are keen to exploit that desperation for the large pay cheque it brings.

Some 11+ tutors where we live charge £50 an hour.

I totally agree with bijso. It is unfair to use this girl as your guinea pig; it is her future after all!
You are unable to find simple information that most parents are more than capable of getting easily....how can you teach her? You should really inform her parents!

I can't really add anything to what's been mentioned but wanted to emphasize the fact that if you're really considering tutoring for the 11+ , then the first thing you need to do is find out the format of the test or tests the child will be sitting. Even in the same county, tests may differ from school-to-school, an example being here in Essex, where one of the schools has now opted for one of the "tutor-proof" CEM tests.

Please come back with more info and we'll all help as much as we can

Thanks for your help those who are willing to help further.
bisjo and pastoralacademia
I don't appreciate your scathing comments.

I already tutor the younger child in this family, they have employed me for 12 months so are familiar with me. I have been completely honest with them, suggested they contact agencies / specialist tutors in 11+ as I do not have the experience. They did so and were not happy with the tutor / cost / information given.
They have asked me for help. Perhaps they think I can help them, maybe they even like me. I'm not begging them to let me help them.

Anyway.
I will find more info, going to contact the school tomorrow, thanks for those who will come back to help me.

I'm back again because I'm so cross with these comments from two posters!

I am asking for advice and websites etc that others may have used. I do not charge £ 50 an hour. I am able to find information for myself but you know, there are many websites, some better than others.
The mum herself has said she does not have the time to tutor her child.
They know me! I'm so offended.

Nothing about my comments is at all scathing, just honest.

I'm pleased that the parents know you aren't suitably experienced to tutor their child for the 11+. If you have a good relationship with them and tutor the younger child then you are taking a very big risk indeed. If the child doesn't pass the 11+ you will get the blame and it may affect your professional reputation.

I would never take on a job I knew I wasn't suitable for, no matter how keen the prospective client is. My professional reputation has been long earned and I would not throw it away just because someone likes me.

Where have I said that you charge £50/hr?

All I have said is that some 11+ tutors charge £50/hr. Fact.

I'll ensure the parents are clear I can't be held completely to blame should she fail her 11+.

We are in Bucks. If you are too then I can give you lots of guidance.

CandyLoo unfortunately the parents will never remember what you say and you will be blamed if she fails.

One of the things that people pay good money to 11+ tutors for is their honest assessment, based on their experience, on whether their child is capable of passing the 11+. The good tutors won't take on a child who has no realistic hope of passing as their reputation is based on being successful. If I were you I would be careful. Your parents may well have had their child assessed by a professional 11+ tutor and not liked what they have been told.

Thank you but no, I'm in the Midlands.

Thanks for your comments at 20.27 Bisjo, advice is what I wanted.
From our conversations so far, it seems the family want me to 'push' their daughter as (their words) she is bright but not focussed enough.
They are unsure whether she is suitable for the school (their words again) but the daughter wants to try.
Parents want to give her the best opportunities.
I know I need to assess her and her chances of passing.
I'm certain she hasn't been assessed elsewhere.
Thanks though, lots to consider.
I will research further (I told the parents this), and give it plenty of thought.

Firstly you need to research what the test for this particular school includes:
Which subjects (Maths, English, NVR, VR etc)?
Which format (standard, multiple choice etc)?
How many questions in how many minutes?
Are they allowed scrap paper or do they have to fit their workings into the answer space?

Secondly you need to assess the child's confidence in each subject and topic within each subject (for example some children are great at code questions but short on vocabulary). Bond papers are useful for this sort of assessment process. They should be getting 85% consistently before moving up to the next level.

Then do targeted coaching in the weakest areas. For example, DS1 needed help with algebra and averages in Maths but the rest was fine. DS2 struggled with some of the inference and more subtle vocabulary questions.

Then work on exam technique: timings, never spending too long on one question, process of elimination, how to check answers etc.

You only have six months, which isn't long. Have a search in your geographical area on the Eleven Plus Exams Forum for tips and info about the exam.

Lastly, on the off-chance that the school is in the SW Herts consortium (unlikely, I know!) please PM me as I'll be able to help!

Cross-posted; I know nothing about tests in the Midlands... sorry.

Check out the ?eleven plus exams? website and for English have a look at the Creative Writing Magic Money Cards website and the BBC 500 words website.

Even if she doesn't get a place at the selective school, the preparation involved will help her with Maths, English and general reasoning skills and exam technique; useful strengths to have going into Y7 at any secondary school. You could put the emphasis on that when talking to the parents about what you are doing.

If it's Birmingham consortium it's CEM. Really hard, thousands take the tests so odds of gaining high enough score is low. Good luck, try 11+ forum.

With respect, CandyLoo, I am amazed that they have asked you or you are thinking about doing this. Coaching for the 11+ is a very specific thing- and considering you don't even know what is required, I doubt if you could be up to speed in time to prepare this child properly for September.

Fwiw the latest people start tutoring here is at the beginning of year 5. Quite a few start earlier than that and the best tutors are reserved from year 2 (to start in year 5). I am amazed that they are considering 11+ and have apparently done no research. I am bored witless by friends telling me all about the tutors they have booked and ds is in year 4.

One thing I would also check is when is the exam? The council moved it here from November to September, which caused all sorts of upset. Then they changed the format to make the exam tutor proof (hasn't stopped people signing up with tutors though).

Oh yes forgot to say if Birmingham or Walsall areas they are super selective so people apply from all over, I'm talking neighbouring counties. I'll watch this with interest for Dds 2 & 3 as dd1 is going independent after not scoring high enough in her test last year.

Good advice ThreeBeeOneGee.

Thanks Bitdifferent.

Great food for thought, thanks all.
I'll be back tomorrow evening.