11+ are we tough enough?

[Hoppinggreen]

We plan for DD to do the 11+ in 2015 for entrance to one of 2 local Grammar school. According to her teacher in the last assessments she was 1/92 in literacy and 5/92 in numeracy so it seems she has the ability.
To familiarise her with the exam we have booked weekly 1 hour tuition from September with a local tutor with a really good reputation for success.
However, she has already set homework to be done over the holidays and says she expects at least 1 exercise to be be done from the Bond books 5 days a week. When I questioned whether this was a bit much I was told that this is what the other children we are " in competition" with will be doing and if we aren't prepared to put the time in then maybe we aren't dedicated enough. Apparently some children have been preparing since age 6????!!!!
DD is very academic and has says she does want to take the exam and we want to do everything we can to help and support her but I can't help wondering if extra work 5 days a week on top of school and a couple of out f school activities is a bit much?
I want my daughter to achieve her potential but I want her to enjoy being 10 as well. Unless we dedicate the next 18 months solely to this exam are we wasting our time? Is it possible to do both?
Any advice would be great, thanks

this tutor didn't offer an assessment at all.
I have just remembered that one of my neighbours teaches at one of the Grammars and actually invigilates the exam. Both of her children go there so m sure she will know how much tuition is needed.
They are away on holiday at the moment so once they are back I will go and have a word - we are pretty friendly so I am sure she will offer some advice.

Hoppinggreen I have just remembered that one of my neighbours teaches at one of the Grammars and actually invigilates the exam. Both of her children go there so m sure she will know how much tuition is needed. Not necessarily, check with the Grammar offers priority to children of staff. If they do then their DCs may not have sat the exam.

I was being nosey but also trying to gauge where the OP's dd is at generally. I think this can shape her approach to maths and English,albeit not NVR and VR.

anamenotanumber I was being nosey but also trying to gauge where the OP's dd is at generally. I think this can shape her approach to maths and English,albeit not NVR and VR. Some schools don't test above expected levels so their NC levels in yr 4 are irrelevant. What's more I know children who have achieved lv 4c in yr6 who have gained places at local selective schools where as children on lv6 have been on the waiting list. Perfecting exam technique has nothing to do with academic ability.

Mumtryingherbest
They DID both sit ( and pass the exam) as I remember her stress !!!
She does know a good tutor but she's quite a distance away. Think I saw their car back now so I will pop over at the weekend and ask some advice.

Hoppinggreen They DID both sit ( and pass the exam) as I remember her stress !!! She does know a good tutor but she's quite a distance away. Think I saw their car back now so I will pop over at the weekend and ask some advice. Sounds promising, good luck to you all. I'm sure the corks will be popping in good time ;-)

Be careful with NC levels though. In our school it is not unusual for those with level 4 at the beginning of year 6 to pass and those with level 5 to just miss the pass mark. Guess it will depend where you are but 11+ tests subjects not in the NC.

Also a tutor is not a guaranteed ticket to 11+ success especially nowadays with all the materials available online & in bookshops. Sit back and see what works for your child & circumstances.

Thank you everyone - I hope that everyone waiting for exam results now and in the future gets what they want!!

Agree-a tutor is a red herring as many parents can and do teach their chold better as the stakes are important to them.

Exam technique is another thing you can really help with.

Totally agree with roll parent can get laid back simply because they've employed a tutor! I think a two prong approach with tutor and parents supporting homework at home works best so parent can keep an eye of how child is faring. I think mock exams are very useful too so come 11 + time you can be prepared for outcome, of course! anything might happen on the day (toilet during exam etc that might lose valuable marks)