Is it too late for my DD to prepare for the 11 plus

[Serendipity30]

She is currently in Year 5, and has no tutor or anything like that. Advice please

Selective or superselective?

I think they take it in the October after they join year 6 so this October then.
Not much time really, my DD is starting in August ( joins year 4 in Sept) but apparently some start at age 6!!!!!
It's worth a try unless you think it will affect her badly if she doesn't get a place. The tutoring is partly about familiarising them with the exam so it would help

No it's not too late, my brother (now year 9) got into a Superselective Kent Grammar having not started preparing til the end of summer term in year 5, all he did was weekly practice papers at home so he knew what it would be like, I don't think year 11 sister even did that much.

I've PMed you.

We started with DS after Easter and he had a test in November and one in December. He passed both at grammar schools. We used commercially available books. DD is year 4 and we plan to start a bit earlier with her as we don't have as much time for her as we did for DS.

DD is Y5 and taking the 11+ in September. She has no actual tutor-just me doing bits with her at home (as I did with DS-now Y7 at grammar). A few questions for you:

1. What are her current levels in the core subjects?
2. What are the 11+ papers in? Just VR? Maths/English/VR/NVR?
3. Is it a super selective or just selective?

The Non Verbal Reasoning is one of the hardest areas, as most children probably won't have come across it before.

You will find books to help with that in most bookshops I expect, of on line.

Sorry I meant that by daughter us joining year 5 NOT 4 , a friend of mine teaches at the local selective grammar and invigilates the 11+ and this us when she advised us to start

My DS is sitting in September & we have no tutor & don't do extra work at home.

However, 2 things are relevant:

• the school do a certain amount of preparation
• the paper is based on level 5 Maths & English so, again, should be covered in school.

It does depend on the actual schools you are looking at but in my area (non super selective) and with a good primary school, I personally think very little extra should be needed, perhaps some exam technique if not already covered in school.

Sorry if this is a really stupid question but how do you know if a grammar is selective or super selective? Does anyone know which one altrincham grammar for girls is? It's usually ranked in the top ten grammars by the times if that makes a difference.

Selective means they have an entrance exam and a catchment. Super selective means that anyone from anywhere can apply and they take the best, eg 100 scores. Much harder to get into a super selective and far more competition for places.

Ok thanks rollon not sure how it works but I think it gives priority to children in catchment then goes to out of area think the catchment is quite large around 8 miles. I think it sounds like it is selective apparently still a bugger to get into!! :)

Well the general advice is not to tutor so she'll be fine. You have a few months to familiarise her with the types of questions asked; if she is suitable for grammar school that should be ample.

Serendipity30:

My advice is go to the 11+ forum and find your region and see what advice they have to offer there. link here: www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/index.php

Frankly - it isn't too late if your DC is a strong student and has good comprehension skills (both in terms of understanding a wide range of vocabulary but also in terms of understanding problems whose wording is intended to trip you up). Many friends have succeeded but they've started with very bright students who are top table material. I had 2nd & middle table material so started beginning of Y5 - but we were still working on reading skills/ math skills. In essence the 11+ presumes your child can work to end Y6 level or better at the beginning of Y6.

There are all sorts of resources out there but again - look at your region on the 11+ forum.

Usually the deadline for signing up to take the 11+ is toward end of Y5 - so look at the website of the grammar/ independent school(s) you're interested in and see what they have to say.

HTH

Chewbecca, the maths curriculum in the 11+ exams includes Y6 stuff. Please don't rely on school to cover all that your cd will need for the exam. Have a go at a couple of exam papers (elevenplusexams) suggests those relevant to the particular school / borough she'll be sitting a paper for. Don't mean to be at all negative - but wouldn't want you to be upset should you realise this too late.

It is certainly not too late to prepare with some practice papers from WH Smith, bookstores or online. For English have a look at londonmumsmagazine.com/2013/creative-writing-magic-money-cards . But preparing with past papers will boost results.

Thank you just, I do know that the school prepare specifically for the 11+ DS will be sitting, in fact they sat a 'pre mock' only this week. This school is very focused on preparing the children. In this borough (Southend area) quite a few of the schools do prepare for the CSSE.
Re: the maths, they have already covered the whole curriculum, including Y6 work.
I know I may end up disappointed but I am being idealistic and do feel that extra tutoring is over-preparing and if that level of prep is needed, it's not the right school. I guess how much extra work you need/want to do does depend how far your primary school has pushed the children already.

True, Chew. Sounds like your school in on the case! Very fortunate as it's not the case in many boroughs/ counties.

Hello sorry for delay in responding. DD goes to a state school, however they will not tell us what level they are since last year. The school have not started preparing them and i have noticed with passed children, they started cramming them for year 6 sats in year 6. I do no not think they prepare them very well. Thank you for your responses so far.

And schools looking at are selective

I think practice papers is a good idea as i dont want her to be overwhelmed

Before she does any practice papers, you might tell her to expect questions she'll not be able to do and explain that these are the ones you'll be going over together.
Stress the importance of finding those she can't do vs of getting them all right. This way, you're more likely to maintain her motivation and protect her self-esteem. Sitting papers can be overwhelming in a different way.

I have to say there is only one state school in Southend that does do VR in preparation for the CSSE papers (though less relevant now that they've taken most of the VR content out)-I presume you are at WL, Chewbacca!