3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ support thread 2014

[mumteacher]

I started the below thread last year and have had so many people find it useful I thought it might be worth doing it again.




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]

Splash lots and lots and lots of vocabulary building. Discussions about weather, animals seasons anything else that interests your dd. Being sept born she will need to carry out all activities well as I'm sure you know.

Puzzles, phonics knowledge number recognition writing her own name should also give you something to work on.

[allmixedupreally]

Hi Mum teacher - I wondered if you had any experience of the process for 7+ Latymer Prep and Colet Court. My 5 yr old is August born and in a state school. I have worked with him at home as I cant afford a tutor, but wanted advice on what to focus on and what curriculum level he should be confident and comfortable with. Also the group task are they looking for super confident young boys. Mine is very shy in new surrounding but when familiar is very confident. Thanks

[doureine]

Hi mumteacher

Wondered if you received my thread and my pm about habs 5 plus.

Thank
Dou

[lunar1]

No idea if this is the place to ask, if not can someone direct me please?

Ds1 will be doing NFER maths exam, he is 5 and in reception. Does anyone have an idea what this involves?

[Maple19]

Hi mumteacher, firstly thank you for your numerous threads. I have been following them closely, I have a huge ask - I am sitting my DD for 3 plus at St. Helens. She turned 3 yesterday 29th dec. I have seen you have been successful at various entry levels at various schools. Any advice you can give would be very useful as I wouldn't want to leave any stone unturned in preparation in her getting through. She is confident with her colours, can count up to fifty and backwards 10 to 0 and recognise numbers. She knows her shapes, can answer questions - I have practiced phonics through flash cards and she can recognise them. She can recognise her name. Anything else?? Thank you in advance.

[worrymerchant]

Wondering if you could help: my dd is bright and articulate but socially unconfident - does anyone have similar experience and \or advice as to what I can to to encourage her? The problem I foresee is that whilst she is bright, unless she can demonstrate that she is socially confident she will be overlooked despite the fact that she could potentially develop very well given the chance! She failed her 4+ assessment for local independent school because of this lack of confidence. The lack of confidence means that she is unable to demonstrate what she is capable of. I know she is only young but I am so worried! She is now at a very small, pastoral prep school - but I would like to know what I can do at home to motivate her - her last school report said that she needs to learn to co-operate, follow instructions and stop having tantrums. Can you help please?
WM x

[worrymerchant]

BTE - sorry, I know that my previous post might seem a bit off topic OP, but we are thinking of applying for an occasional place at the school where she failed 4+ or else applying for 7+ - and I thought perhaps you might have experience of how to deal with this issue so that she can avoid this problem at the next assessment.
WM x

[TracyJudy]

Hello mumteacher, many thanks for continuing this thread for 2014. I'm a first time poster here, and have read a good number of the posts relating to the 2013 assessments. Our DD is being assessed at St.H's and NLCS this month. We've done the best we can to help her prepare for the tests and hope that the schools will also recognise her skills and abilities. Just want to wish all the parents whose kids are getting assessed in 2014 lots of peace and luck, and that your children will get into the schools that will help them be the best persons they can be.

[mumteacher]

Happy new to you all. Hope you managed a few stress free days over the holidays x

[mumteacher]

Maple19 happy birthday to your dd. the 3+ is really very play focused where phonic knowledge isn't tested in the same way as it might be at 4+. Playing with sand, pouring water, can you find all the fish in this picture.... The child's ability to concentrate and take on instructions, social interaction with other girls will be contributing factors.

[mumteacher]

Worrymerchant sorry to hear the 4+ didn't work out in your favour - though it's hard it might be the best for your dd at this moment in time. You wouldn't want her to get into a school she would struggle in.

Lack of confidence can manifest for many different reasons, the child is naturally a shy personality, the child has older siblings and is always feeling like they have to play catch-up or left out of games, comparing with other siblings, lack of knowledge. Does she have tantrums at school? For what reason? It's not her turn, she has to wait? Doesn't listen? How do you discipline?

I have seen this previously in younger siblings.

[mumteacher]

Sorry that should read youngest sibling.

[worrymerchant]

Hi Mumteacher - thank you for getting back to me - I did in fact PM you as well - not sure if you saw that or not. Yes, you are absolutely right - the school in question was NHEHS but in retrospect it was not right for her at that time given her social issues. ANd yes, she is the youngest sibling - but in many ways an only child as the older ones are considerably older and are away most of the time at uni.

However, although it was right that she was not accepted at 4, I still firmly believe that academically she would shine, and am hoping that in a couple of years we could try again - I just need some advice as to how to encourage her confidence eg in terms of volunteering answers in class etc (we have been told that she is reluctant to participate unless asked a direct question)

I wouldn't say she has a naturally shy personality - just very wary in new situations.

This term her teacher has said that she has refused to follow instructions and has thrown a tantrum on a couple of occasions. Not sure why. At home it occurs when she is losing control of a situation. I have give her an angry place where she goes to calm herself down. If she refuses to follow an instruction I tend to make her aware that it is her choice but that there will be a consequence and I outline what that will be. The main issue on the discipline front is DH who has not got a clue and who has main care of her in the mornings and after school as I have to go to work early and don't get back til the evening.

Sorry - I don't want to ramble on and on on this thread about something that is of no interest to others, so would it be ok to PM you?

MNs - sorry about this - but if you do have some advice I would love to hear it

WM x

[Spekes67]

Hi mumteacher,
Any advice for Habs Girls 5+ would really appreciate.

[mumteacher]

Wm only just saw your pm once you mentioned you had sent it. Yes let's cont over pm x

[worrymerchant]

OK - thank you - I'll wait to hear back. WMx

[Americanhoney]

We've been invited to final stage assessment for SHHS junior school entry (4+). Anyone have any ideas whether it is similar to first round assessment? Do they "interview" your kid on a 1-1 level? Thanks

[Kp17]

Hi

Can I pm you my message?

[Americanhoney]

KP17, please do. Thanks.

[Tableforfour]

SHHS second round is small groups of 5-6. I gather that they are looking for children who have been trained to sit still , rather than any particular spark or originality. But there is a new head this year so everything could have changed since last year.

[Americanhoney]

Tableforfour, thanks very much. That seems quite different to the first stage (based on what other posters have said and what I could get out of my 3 year old after the first assessment).

[mumteacher]

Traceyjudy what a lovely post thank you x

[mumteacher]

As the assessments draw near wanted to wish everyone the best of luck x

[SwimmingMom]

Thank you mumteacher, it's so nerve-wracking we (speaking for the whole family) can't wait for it to be over!

[mumteacher]

Habs girls 5+ and nlcs started today. Hope it went well.