When to start tutoring to prepare move to selective secondary?

[thecatsmothercompany]

We live in one of those funny areas of London with great state primaries and very poor secondaries. Even the head teacher at the local school openly admits that tutoring is a sensible move to secure a place at the (totally oversubscribed, and not very local) grammar, not to mention the private secondaries.

Our DS is entering year 3 in September. Is it best to start some 'gentle' tutoring in year 3 (whatever that means!) or start in year 4?

Somehow I can't believe I'm posting this, but having looked at the OFSTED entries of our local secondaries, I am in mild despair...

In my area of Essex (super-selective Grammar taking DC County-wide with just 90 spaces per year), parents that can afford tutoring usually start in the Easter of Y4, however, as they have moved the 11+ date from November to September, this now seems to be starting in January of Y4.

The madness is no longer limited to London, then, is it?

Thanks, though, that's a really good pointer.

I've got one booked for Jan y5, similar situation. And there was I thinking I was neurotic. Turns out I'm a slacker mum...

I can't afford a PAID tutor, but I have been tutoring DS1 since the January of Y4 myself...

Booking two years in advance does not qualify as slacking in my book... [googling tutors now]
:-)

Only one year in advance in fact, but yes I did feel quite chuffed with myself. Not now! I just can't see what he'll be tutored for two years. I want some exam technique and the rest I think should come from much vaguer parenty stuff like reading, talking, discussing the news, board games etc. But maybe I'm complacent (never thought I'd say that!)

Btw this partic tutor is considered the cats pajamas in these parts (v pushy bit of London) and she was v firm about when he'd be starting - there was no option of lengthier process.

That's v good to know. No idea who the super tutors are in my neck of the woods but I'm sure I'll soon find out!

We're in a similar position (London again). All the kids get tutored in year 5 - literally. We've started early (end YR3) as DD has some issues with spelling and we felt we needed to get it sorted earlier rather than later. I'd planned to find a tutor in YR4 to be ready for YR5 as I'd heard that there is a long waiting list for tutors in this part of London.