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

you need the 'elevenplusexams.co.uk' website

It has regions sections where you can find the format for your area.

In the tutoring section there is a section by Patricia where she outlines a DIY tutor timetable. it is pretty comprehensive and the books are self explanatory (for the VR exams which is what we are preparing for)

It isn't necessary to tutor from so early. To be honest, it depends on how bright the child is. If they are bright, and natural grammar school material, and you are doing VR, then starting now and showing them all the different types of questions, and then giving them practice until they are up to speed is plenty.

This is easy to do if you have the outline above.

If they are borderline, or they are taking the broader exams (like the English and Maths exams) then they may have left it too late.

The other thing I'd want to know is what is the dd's position in class. You have 5 months until the exams (assuming they aren't going away for summer school holidays). It is very little time unless she is already grammar school standard and just needs to have a go at some practice questions.

This is a specialist skill, but if you are prepared to spend lots of time and potentially money on prep, you could do a good job.

I haven't used an 11+ tutor, but I believe that they will have specialist resources (potentially proprietary) such as a list of words that they believe might come up on the example.

Obviously anyone can sit with a child while they do tests from a book, and then you mark them/

Kate - I disagree if you look on the website, there are lists of vocab and suggested games for compound words, lists of books etc.

There are resources that outline the different question types. You have to teach those question types and how to approach them. It is all given in the books

I think any decent teacher could do it. It isn't actually hard. the question is whether there is enough time, which depends on the ability of the girl.

And while the parents could easily do the same thing, some parents don't want to, and some kids respond much better to an adult who isn't a parent.

Also, it depends on your attitude to 11+. We have said that if dcs were good enough, and just needed familiarisation with the question types, we would give it a go. If they needed heavy tutoring to get them in the right range, maybe they are going to struggle at Grammar school anyway, and it isn't the best place.(we don't live in a GS area, super selectives over the border in next county, so we would probably feel differently if in another context)

That's what I said - lots of prep.

To give you an idea of the time we put in:

DS1 (top 10% ability-wise) did about 100 hours coaching / practice.

DS2 (top 1%) did about 30 hours (just practice, refused coaching!).

If this girl is very bright, it's possible to prepare her in 6 months.

Just to butt in with something that has not been mentioned. My son has just sat entrance exams for a couple of London independents, and all the schools applied for gave past exam papers on their websites.

Another thing we did not realize until quite late in the process, the schools expected the candidates to be well read, have knowledge of important historical events, some knowledge of art, all brought up at interview level. Ds was shown a print of of a painting depicting the Spanish Armada, and asked to talk about it. Some schools detailed a cross sections of the books they expected the children to have read, and not talking diary of a wimpy kid here, but The Hobbit, Narnia, Michael Morpugo, Pullman just to name a few. It might be worth checking if the school in question also have such requirements.

Good luck.

I think OP is preparing a child for a state school. Are they still allowed to interview? The well-read thing works for both sectors though.

Another thing we did not realize until quite late in the process, the schools expected the candidates to be well read, have knowledge of important historical events, some knowledge of art, all brought up at interview level. Ds was shown a print of of a painting depicting the Spanish Armada, and asked to talk about it.

This is not usually relevant for state 11+ exams.

Maybe not, but that is the sort of thing that a tutor would be expected to know, and it might be worth finding out.

I reckon if op successfully tutors this particular child for 11+ word will get out and in time she can commend some decent fees.