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Original poster

11+ 2014 What are people doing over the hols?

181 replies

SeagullsAndSand · 14/08/2014 07:37

Just realised we only have 3 weeks until they go back.

Trying to keep things calm although dc is starting to talk about the exam itself.

Have kept things pretty low key(odd VR paper)wondering if we should up it a gear.

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Chewbecca · 17/08/2014 19:29

Yes, we're closer to the blue & I'm an ex blue myself but DS felt much more at home at SHSB during the open evenings & we're happy to go along with it. Always nice to hear reports of happy boys there.

rollonthesummer · 17/08/2014 19:31

Ha ha-I went to blue myself as well! My parents both went to green though so not too much disloyalty.

Which Primary does he go to?

Chewbecca · 17/08/2014 19:39

Hehe, less than 6 degrees of separation here for sure.

One of the private preps so he's well prepared by them too.

rollonthesummer · 17/08/2014 19:42

Presumably not the one that just closed suddenly!

Good luck over the next 4-5 weeks :) x

MinimalistMommi · 17/08/2014 19:46

We've been told morethan that if you child passes the 11+, whether or not they have been tutored, then they should be at the grammar school and are suitable because it's a pretty intense exam process. If they can't 'cope' in the school it's unlikely they would pass what is a pretty stressful morning of tests/the whole process. Nowhere did I personally say that a child would need two years of preparation but they do need to prepare to stand a cats hell in chance of passing. It would be pretty unusual for a child to pass the 11+ coming from a state school background having never ever ever seen a test paper with VR and NVR but I know there are always lots of mumsnetters that reckon their child has passed the 11 + with five minutes preparation honestly bollocks

Taffeta · 17/08/2014 19:54

ROFL @ Minimalist Grin

Great post.

wheresthebeach · 17/08/2014 20:29

Agree Minimalist has got it right. We had three weeks off. Now doing about 30 mins a day. Different things each day...some creative writing, some maths, NVR and VR. Just to keep the brain ticking over.

RaisinBoys · 17/08/2014 20:52

"I'm guessing we should all ignore advice from the school- because Raisin et al said so."

Stop mentioning me in your posts Seagulls It's boring now.

I expressed my fucking surprise that some children were spending hours on practise. I have not told anyone to ignore schools' advice.

Others have also disagreed with you but you seem fixated on me.

Is your argument so flimsy that you need to harass those that disagree with you?

Keep my name out of your rambling musings.

SeagullsAndSand · 17/08/2014 21:02

This reply has been deleted

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MumTryingHerBest · 17/08/2014 21:09

MinimalistMommi We've been told morethan that if you child passes the 11+, whether or not they have been tutored, then they should be at the grammar school and are suitable because it's a pretty intense exam process. If they can't 'cope' in the school it's unlikely they would pass what is a pretty stressful morning of tests/the whole process. It's interesting how much the 11 + varies from area to area. The area I'm in the primary schools were asked by the consortium to sign an agreement that they would not prepare children for the 11 plus.

From what I understand, quite happy to be corrected on this, Kent and Bucks changed from 11 + to CEM to reduce the level of tution being used. However, if your local Grammars are actively encouraging tutoring-to-the-test, then I fully understand you doing so.

MinimalistMommi · 17/08/2014 21:11

Grin Taffeta I just had to google what ROFL meant Blush

MumTryingHerBest · 17/08/2014 21:19

Quick question. A couple of posts have said that local schools are encouraging tutoring. Is this one particular area or is there a few areas where this is the case (might consider moving if it is lol)?

MinimalistMommi · 17/08/2014 21:19

I spoke to the deputy head of the school and they also said at open day that they don't like to say tutor or not tutor but they strongly advise that pupils take mock exams and that practise papers can be found at local WHSmiths. They are put examples of 11 + extracts in school prospectus. I took all this as an indication for our school to tutor. The year 8 girls that showed us around told my daughter to be tutored, she explained that she had been and she wouldn't want to have taken the test without being tutored. I do not want to risk not tutoring, it's too important to take a gamble on this. We could never afford private school. This is our chance for our DD to have an amazing education. I want to know I've done what I can to support our daughter in possibly getting into a fantastic school. Our local comps are Ok, but the grammar is in a league of its own.

VanillaHoney · 17/08/2014 21:20

As far as I'm aware Kent still uses GL assessments. Bexley have moved on to CEM... Having said that if you compare the sample papers on the Kent & Bexley website don't look that different imo.

I think the idea that CEM test are harder to tutor is not really the case. In the past only the independent schools in bexley used to tutor but now state school primaries in the area who have converted to academy status are offering practice sessions before school twice a week. There is at least one I'm aware about. Seems that some parents are having no alternative but to level the playfield over the summer...

Original poster
SeagullsAndSand · 17/08/2014 21:23

Mum I get the impression they're trying to level the playing field for those not at private schools,at schools which give advantages or tutored .They also run VR days and sell packs for you to do more at home.I think it's a good thing.

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Original poster
SeagullsAndSand · 17/08/2014 21:28

Depending on your circumstances,children etc I also don't think tutoring is totally necessary.If you've got the time and internet access you can get the materials advised by school,go on the 11+ forum for a list and do it yourself.

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MinimalistMommi · 17/08/2014 21:36

Totally agree seagulls I think tutoring can be done at home! I just wasn't confident enough and wanted support. The Practise and Pass books from amazons are meant to be great for example.

Original poster
SeagullsAndSand · 17/08/2014 21:37

Not everybody has the time to DIY.

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MumTryingHerBest · 17/08/2014 21:38

SeagullsAndSand Mum I get the impression they're trying to level the playing field for those not at private schools,at schools which give advantages or tutored which I can understand. The local preps. in my area were never asked to sign the agreement. It was also suggested to me that it was to give those children who's parents can't afford private tuition more of a chance too, again happy to stand corrected on this point.

rollonthesummer · 17/08/2014 21:42

Interestingly, out of the children in DS's year who passed, (only 12 out of the 30 ish who took it) only one or two had paid tutors. Most had, instead, very involved parents-who did stuff at home with them.

Most of the others (many of DS's close friends) had tutors and the parents didn't really get involved, and were quite surprised when they didn't pass, 'as we'd paid for a tutor, so assumed he would'.

MinimalistMommi · 17/08/2014 21:46

roll that doesn't surprise me at all. DD doesn't take her exam until next year but I plan to keep a close eye on what DD does with tutor when she starts and also plan on supporting her at home and supporting her at each step. I don't think simply getting a tutor is enough. If a parent isn't involved I'm not sure how motivated the child would be? I don't know the answer to that really.

MumTryingHerBest · 17/08/2014 21:50

SeagullsAndSand Depending on your circumstances,children etc I also don't think tutoring is totally necessary. Even if you tutor your own child, it is still tutoring. Some of the children I know who gained very high scores were tutored by their parents. One such child genuinely did one 10 minute timed test paper per week for 6 weeks prior to the test. However, this is rare and their academic abilities were way, way above average (and still are now they're in secondary school).

SeagullsAndSand you can get the materials advised by school From what I can tell my local schools don't offer any advise regarding materials etc. They do have one or two familiarisation papers on their web sites but that is it.

Original poster
SeagullsAndSand · 17/08/2014 21:52

Roll I can see that.You can lead a horse to water and all that.

I think some just think being in the presence of a tutor for an hour a week gives you some magic golden ticket.Err no it involves a bit more than that.

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Original poster
SeagullsAndSand · 17/08/2014 21:56

Mum yes I agree.Whoever shows a child what to do is the tutor.It may be a school,parent or professional tutor.The fact is I don't think it's reasonable to expect any child to go into an exam cold.I as an adult wouldn't want to.I would have wanted at the very least to have covered the whole curriculum,had experience of format etc.

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MumTryingHerBest · 17/08/2014 21:57

rollonthesummer Interestingly, out of the children in DS's year who passed, (only 12 out of the 30 ish who took it) only one or two had paid tutors. Most had, instead, very involved parents-who did stuff at home with them. I think the vast majority in my area use private tutors and/or tuition centres but certainly most of the successful children have a good level of involvement from the parents too.

I think local parents are realising that simply passing a child over to a tutor won't cut it any more. The pass mark goes up every year (a big jump in the last sitting) so the focus and attention to detail has to be specific to each individual child. 95% on each exam doesn't give much wriggle room.