3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ support thread 2013

[mumteacher]

I have had a number of messages asking if I have any spaces in my classes. I'm really sorry but I have been at full capacity for some time now.

However, I do appreciate that this is a very stressful time of year for parents who have children sitting these private school assessments in January 2013. So, I'm hoping that by setting up this support group thread I can help by answering some questions you have about these assessments.

Hopefully this thread will also contain some useful insight from the experiences of parents who have already been through the process.

[mumteacher]

Meandthree Habs in the past have only wrote back to those they invite back to round2. Horrible way to do I think, was hoping it would've have been one of the things the head changed but no!

Traintracks is right in that Nlcs usually post letters out this Friday so you should receive letter Saturday or Monday depending on your postal service over the weekend.

[mumteacher]

Matchstickbynoon take anything that shows your Ds understands numbers/ maths but also the concept/ how he got to the right answer - which is more important than the answer.

Eg (simply) in one of the 4+ assessments this year a girl was asked to place as many plastic figures as she wanted on a bus. She then had to count how many people were on the bus and choice the right number from a selection of flash cards. She was then asked if she knew 1 more and 1 less from this number. (important bit) she was then asked how she knew the answer.

They were looking for the child to say because 5 is less then 6 or that 5 is before 6 in the number line, 5 is smaller than 6 etc.

Books take in a book that is for 10-11 year olds to show he reads well. He must show he understand the main story and sub-story well. How each character feels at different times in the story. If the author uses weather to reflect mood. Does the author write in a certain way?

Spending time in the class is the social part does he fit in with the children already in that class. It will be expected that he makes some friends introduces himself to those on his table chats to them at break time joins in their games.

Story structure you can't teach in a weekend and to honest I wouldn't for fear of confusing him right before the assessment. Just make sure the story flows - the characters aren't off fishing when it's pouring with rain!

[mumteacher]

primafacie the waiting seems sooooo long! Really glad DD enjoyed the assessments that in itself is a great sign.

Would love to know how you get on keep us posted.

Figures crossed x

[Primafacie]

Thanks mumteacher, I promise I will post a full update once it's all over! Including all the intelligence I've got on all the schools, which is of course totally dependent on DD's cooperation. Clearly some schools made her sign an NDA as she won't talk about what she did at all!

I agree I am really pleased DD is having a bomb, whoever says it's traumatic on children clearly hasn't been through it, she is so looking forward to every "special playgroup" by now :o

[meandthree]

Primafacie my DD was the same. It seemed the more I probed, the more she clammed up. I wondered if they had been sworn to secrecy by the schools! The stress I feel at the moment has taken me back to when I was taking my own exams.

[meandthree]

Thanks Mumteacher. How do Habs know someone's letter hasn't got lost in the post?! Assuming NLCS write to everyone at the same time regardless of the outcome?

[Seaswan]

We are through to second round at St. Helen's! Anyone heard from Habs or NLCS yet?

[maya1234]

Habs do come back to people late, even if you do get 2nd round, don't get completely demoralised if you don't hear by the end of next week.

[meandthree]

Thanks Maya1234. It's just that i heard someone has a second round interview tomorrow and given my DD was assessed on Monday I thought they would have let me know by now if she had got through?

Congrats Seaswan - do you know how many girls they are interviewing for 2nd round?

[maya1234]

St Helens at 4+ is really hard to get in to because the places are so limited....well done seaswan!

[Seaswan]

Thanks, meandthree. No idea how many girls at St. Helen's second round - hopefully all goes well. About Habs, from their website it says that first round assessments went on till Wednesday. So hopefully it's still early days and we may hear by next Monday or Tuesday? DD had her assessment last Saturday and we were told we should be hearing from them in about 10 days time...they said we'd receive a letter in the post either way whether successful or not.

[maya1234]

Mum teacher - could you tell us all what we should prepare for, for second rounds at say

4+
5+
7+

I am finding the 5+ very different to the 4+ - what ways do they differ for second round?

[Seaswan]

Thanks, maya1234! Didn't see your post earlier. It's not in the bag yet...let's hope the final outcome is a positive one!

[Turniphead1]

Hoping anyone who sat H*ghgate 7+ today was happy.

My DS didn't give much away - save that the comprehension was The Magic Pencil and the story was about having a pet dragon. He seemed content but who knows?

Not sure how many sat the test - but there seemed loads and loads of kids there.

[mumteacher]

Maya1234 do you have a girl sitting 5+? it's unclear from your post.

Let me know what assessments your sitting and I'll try and help.

Really hoping your not going through the 4+ 5+ and 7+ with your children all in one year! (hats off to you if you are)

[maya1234]

Just a girl doing the 5+ Mumteacher any tips would really help

Had just thought 4+ / 7+ for others on what is proving to be a popular thread

[mumteacher]

Maya1234 lets on concentrate on you.

5+ round 2 is one-to-one for the child with the deputy and a parent meeting with the head.

A lot of discussions on home life , school, friends will take place for your DD. There is a few things that come up each year which every girl will have to do. If they didn't do these in round 1 they will come up in round 2. It's easier if you can tell me what your DD has done in round 1 (pm me if your more comfortable).

[mumteacher]

Too many 'on' in my first sentence sorry!

[maya1234]

Has anyone heard back from anywhere else today?

[Seaswan]

We didn't make it at NLCS :( sad and disappointed :( oh well we gave it our best shot. Whatever happens is for the best. How are others faring?

[maya1234]

That's a shame seaswan I feel your pain - it's a lottery though I know this

[mumteacher]

Ah that's a shame Seaswan I'm sorry. Concentrate on the positives you have got through to St Helens which is also a fantastic school.

6 of my girls received positive news from Nlcs today.

[mumteacher]

Maya1234 I got your message thank you. I'm teaching all day in preparation for round 2 and so only have a couple minutes bt lessons. I will get back to - please don't think I'm ignoring you

[Seaswan]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Mumteacher. Wonderful that your girls have done so well! If you have a moment would you be able to give me some guidance on how best to prepare my dd for second round at St. Helen's and Northwood College, please? Thanks x

[mumteacher]

Seaswan The limited number of places (10-12) make st Helens very competitive but the assessment itself isn't that tasking. Have conversations with your DD about school life, her best friend what they play what her favourite meal is, animals young when they are born, why in the spring? What clothes to wear in the summer? Winter?

Northwood college second round wont be too long. You will also be invited to speak with the head who will ask you why you want north wood college for your DD. It's more about you then your DD at north wood college. ( don't want to up set any one but) In my experience, north wood college remains a second choice for many parents and so competition for place isn't so intense - the waiting list always moves.