11Plus next week - any advice or experience?

[BabaJones]

My son is taking a 11plus test next week, followed by another test next month if he makes it to the 2nd stage. Against my better judgement, I’ve been sucked into the 11plus madness and would love to hear from other parents. (I didn’t grow up in the UK: perhaps it is why the whole 11plus concept seems mad to me!)

• If you are on this 11plus ride, how are you and your child coping?

• If you have a child currently at a Grammar, is their education there living up to your expectations?

• If you have a child who tried for a Grammar in the past and did not make it, how did you (and they) handle it?

CONTEXT: Over the past year, I've been preparing my son for the Entrance tests to our local Grammar schools. (At my son's request.) I started reluctantly and promised myself I wouldn't get too invested... but here am I, anxious and losing my sense of perspective. It doesn't help that our local Comprehensive received an Inadequate OFSTED rating at the last inspection. Of course, I am telling my boy that he can get a great education at whatever school he goes to, that the work we are doing will be beneficial for any school, etc. But I need to put my rational head on and start believing it myself, haha.
Thank you!

I think you are in the same area as me as my youngest sat his 11+ today. He has ASD and gets quite anxious but we’ve reiterated many times it’s the trying that counts.
luckily for me he has 3 older siblings, 2 of whom go to the local comp and one who got into the grammar school so he knows it’s not a problem if he doesn’t get in.

We didn’t do any intensive tutoring either-some of the parents round here but into the madness but I just can’t. The naturally bright should rise to the top anyway.

@BabaJones just got an email saying DS got through the first round at Sutton - fingers crossed for your boy!

@FlamingoSocks Wonderful, well done! We're still in the race as well. Good luck with round 2!

We’re not progressing with it as really we were seeing it as a bit of a mock for Tiffin - and the journey was just too horrible which cements the idea we don’t want a place. Great confidence boost tho. Well done to your DS!

Ah well done everyone, nice to see some positive stories. DS did his on Sat, it's just one day for us, superselectives here in Essex, I don't know if he'll have pulled off a high enough mark, marks not out for 3 weeks yet, but we did succeed in keeping it all low key and non stressful, he came out smiling and seemed to have quite enjoyed himself! So no matter the result, I'm really proud of him, and it's been an excellent experience at exams which he will of course have to sit in future.

@ElvenDreamer Fingers crossed for your son! And well done for keeping it casual. My boy was very chilled as well, and I'm sure that helped him. Though I can't take any credit for his relaxed approach - he takes after his dad thankfully!