This is the pushy parent Tiffin tutor thread.

[uwila]

Okay, so wh ohas used a Tiffin tutor? Did it get your kid(s) into Tiffin? How old were they when they strted tutoring?

Okay, so my DD is only 3 1/2 but I like to plan ahead/. I've heard you can sign up for tutors that increase your chances of getting into Tiffin (boys and girls schools).

Any experience/opinions welcome.

Thanks.

well done MsDav, great school

Thanks, am still floating on cloud 9 lol

My DD's fairly bright and so we thought we'd try for Tiffin but apply to the local comps too. We put her down for tutoring in year 4 but were told that we should have done it in year 2 (I kid you not)! We ended up on a tutors waiting list to do the pre tutoring test anyway which she did sometime begining year 5 and got a good score so jumped into a tutor group directly.

We also went round the school open days in Oct year 5 before embarking on the tutoring and DD really wanted to go for it and I think this is important as it's a lot of work. DD started Jan year 5 until the Tiffin exam in Jan year 6 so this Jan 2011. It's been a tough year. The tutoring's about 1.5 hours study a week and the homework the same but rising to around 2 hours or more in the last few months.

Generally, I would say unless your DC's exceptionally bright you do need some form of prep to get in. It's a bit like passing a driving test, lessons help get you through. And the NVR and VR tests are very odd at first - a bit like MENSA tests. At the very least, do the NVR and VR multiple choice test papers from WH Smith from around 6 month before the test. For Tiffin you dont need the ones with maths and english as you wont use them, but would need them if you're also going for other type 11+ schools.

I am sorry I am not allowed to give out my tutors details - I did ask, but she's has a 3 year waiting list and surely must retire soon, she's about 80, so I must honour that. But try sourcing a tutor, plus lots of useful info re 11+ and testing including DIY tutoring and resources etc, through the very excellent elevenplusexams website. I learnt all I needed to know from there.

I hope this helps, and best of luck.

can someone give the contact no of Mrs W tiffins tutor. Also please advice me on the books for VR and NVR

DD did the Tiffin exam Jan 2011. Had a years worth of tutoring with a renowned tutor who's got long wait list which is catagorically closed - I did ask.

1300 children did the exam this year (according to the Tiffin Girls letters page of website). DD was getting scores of between 86-92% ish in tests, sounds good doesn't it, but in all honesty I dont think this will be enough to get in.

We did a few practise papers before-hand over and above the weekly homework, where as there's plenty of DDs we knew were doing around 3-4 timed tests a day. So if you take into account that the top 10% of scores get in (90% don't), and the top 10% of 1300 scores must lie somewhere in the region of around 91%+ (or equivalent as scores are not calculated in percentage terms), then it's quite possible DD wont have made the grade, esp as she said she ran out of time on the and guessed around 5 questions.

Luckily we've got red hot comp down the road YAY! Would I repeat this process again - I'm not sure I would really. The competitions just so very tough and on a very uneven playing field.

PS there's all you need to know re NVR VR Tiffin, books to study, DIY tutoring, tutors etc etc on this invaluable website:
www.elevenplusexams.co.uk

Crickey I'm going senile, forgot I posted about this recently must start those pills soon....now where did I put them....!

Was wondering when this thread would reappear :)

Dear tutoring service,

1. superfluous 'pounds'
2. too many exclamation marks
3. that's not how you spell 'before'
4. nor is that how you spell 'Egham'

D-

Very poor. See me.

I'm not a mum but I found this thread and found it really interesting so I joined this site to comment.
I'm currently in Year 9 at Tiffin Girls' School and I was tutored at AE Tuition. Most people at my school were tutored and only a few were not. One of my best friends was not tutored by she passed with full marks (plus birthday points) and is near the top of the class.
Many people were tutored for two or three years before taking the exam but I only did one and some of my friends only did a few months. One girl just did one practice paper and she got really high marks!
What I like about the exam is that it tests you on your natural ability and not just how much you have been taught.
When my sister tried out for the exam last year, she did not pass but was offered a full scholarship at a great nearby private school.
My youngest sister just started tuition last November at OxBridge (many of my friends passed from there) and I hope she gets in!

Thanks for posting StellaLuna, good to know there's still some who get in with a just a year's tutoring/ no or minimum practise before hand.

How can the exam test your natural ability and not just how much you have been taught, if almost everybody has private tuition for it?

How many girls d'you reckon join tiffin from independent schools?

Hi

DD1 is only 4 next month so no real urgency but I'm very keen for her to try to get a place. I am ex Tiffin myself and we live less than 5 minutes away. I never had any tutoring so I don't know how it all works; at what age should I start making enquiries?

TIA

puzzlerocks, i put dds name down when she was 4

i haven't yet put dd2's name down (age 5), as i am not sure she is exceptionally academic.

Thanks Amidaiwish, I will start looking at our options.

Are you lot serious?

Tutoring age 4???

Poor kids.

No, not tutoring at 4, going on a list at 4. Sheesh, I knew it wouldn't be long before someone got on their high horse.

Well, we've just had the letter through the door from Tiffin and ds1 got a really high score well above the cut off for a place this year. No tutoring, just me and him and some practice at home so it really doesn't have to be such a big deal with waiting lists for 4 year olds and years of tutoring.

Tiffin was our second choice so he's not going. He'll be staying very close to home at mixed comprehensive with selective intake for 25% of places.

Three children that I know of at ds's school have been offered places at Tiffins (boys & girls). One was tutored for 2 years, another for 1 year, and one not at all. All very naturally clever children, but I would guess the ratio of tutored to non-tutored is about right.

Crikey.

I was merely making enquiries as I assume if everyone else is being tutored these days then presumably she will be at a disadvantage if she is not.

My niece has done extremely well academically despite having moved schools and areas several times I know it is quite possible for a bright child to flourish anywhere but as I said I went to Tiffin Girls, I am biased, and would love my daughter to have a chance at a place.

So shoot me.

i think it is called maximising your options

yes DD is on a waiting list for a tutor since she was 4, because i was bothered to make ONE phonecall. i don't want to find out age 9 that she is bright and yet no tutors available.

and it is only one year of tutoring, one hour/week, age 9/10. prob less than for any selective secondary.

if you have the ££ you put kids names down for prep schools at birth. i don't have the money for that and luckily live in an area with fantastic primary schools. most of the secondaries are dire, so Tiffin is a great option to have.

i think it is called wanting the best for your kids.

not sure why i am justifying this, the more of you who think it is stupid then the less competition for places. great.