Deciding about 11+

[Itsjustmeagain]

My dd just started year 5 and has been bringing home leaflets etc about secondary schools. She is my oldest so it's all new to me!

Really I was wondering how you decided whether or not to put your child in for the 11+. I think she does ok at school but tbh I am not sure what all the levels mean. She had level 4B for reading in year 4 but I have no idea if that's good or average or what!

We will ask her teacher at parents e evening this year obviously but in the meAntime I was just wondering how everyone else decided!

Also if we did - do we really need to get tutor ?! ( I searched mumsnet before posting this and there were many posts about this!) im not sure I can afford a tutor!

What area are you in? Are you in a grammar area, or one where 20/30% of the population get in, or is it super selectives only where it's only a very small proportion?

I would suggest you go and see the local schools now, at the beginning of Y5. We did this, and it gave me a clear idea of where I thought DS would fit in and where he wouldn't, and therefore whether he should sit the 11+ or not.

Re the thorny tutor issue - it's up to you. You will need to prepare your child, for sure, and you can either do this yourself by buying papers, using online resources etc or pay someone else to do it.

You might also try asking your child's teacher. I asked in Y5 if they thought DS was suited to a grammar education and got a detailed response.

Yes, depends on your local schools.

Go to the open evenings (they're around now and lots of year 5 parents go).

If they are grammar schools, or part selective, read the data on their websites about admission rules and last year's intake.

If you like the look of them, get hold of the initial books yourself (take a deep breathe, go onto the 11plus forum, look up your area and it will list suitable books). You will get an idea of what the tests are.

Then, if you go for it - tutor or not tutor....again, depends on your child.

I will say that school levels are only one part of the 'picture'. There is so much more your child needs to be successful in the 11+ tests. Knowledge alone is not enough... there is speed!!!... and exam techniques, which needs to be mastered. Find out if Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning will be part of the tests. Super Selective Grammar schools have more than one stage tests in our area. Our DC tutored for VR and NVR as these are not taught in school and I'm not good helping him with VR & NVR. Good luck to you.

Hi itsjustmeagain:

Try the eleven plus forum for your region for more information on how people prepare locally for the 11+ in your area - because each area tests slightly differently and the whole tutor/ don't tutor debate can have various winners - www.elevenplusexams.co.uk/forum/11plus/viewforum.php?f=64 - just scroll down to your city/ county

In some areas grammar schools are state funded (e.g. here in Birmingham) and in others they're more like private ('public') schools. My advice is find out what your options are locally, talk to parents with older children about what they decided to do and if they have children at the grammar are they happy with it.

HTH

Your child is probably perfectly able. Most will be prepping them for years. If one child has 1000 hours more work than yours then of course they will be at a higher level. You can do it - just have to prep them.

I think I remember that a level 4b is the average outcome expected at the end of year 6. If so then your daughter is likely to have as good a chance as anyone else going for an 11+.

If she is willing to be tutored by you (unlike my son was) then go for it. There are plenty of resources oniine, especially when it comes to the tips and tricks for the VR and NVR tests (if required).

Encourage lots of reading and creative writing plus an active life outside school and she'll be fine. Most of all - no stress or pressure.

I think it might be useful to get a tutor for a couple of sessions for their expertise on "how to maximise marks in an exam", but I don't think that's a must have.

Keep a spread of options open and ensure there is a non-selective school in the mix that she likes too.

GOOD LUCK

All the above information is good. I'd add:

Ask your daughter whether she wants to try the 11+, and say you'll support her in her practice, either directly or with a tutor (hopefully she'll be more likely to put the work in if it's something she's chosen to do).

Point out (frequently) that passing or failing aren't that important, compared to her trying her best, and that the 'fallback' schools are all great too (even if it isn't strictly true).

Put your best poker face when she tries to get you to say you'll be disappointed if she doesn't pass.

Depending on how the tests are taken, the pressure on the day can crush even the most prepared kid...heard some horror stories from this year's tests alone

Agree with pressure on the day point. The number of parents that were almost in tears with stress as their child went in to the quiz ... very counter-productive.

grammar schools suit some pupils and not others. I would look at this as what is the likely outcome of them going to a grammar school. If they are going to struggle and be in the bottom sets, then would they be better off being in a different, more comprehensive school, where they could thrive.
One of the problems with tutoring is that it potentially just gets them through the 11+ exam but does not set them up for the 5 or 7 years of hard academic work in the grammar school.
You have some time and I think what you need to discover is whether your daughter is pushing this because the school are, whether it is because all her friends are going to take the 11+ or whether it is her genuinely believing this is what is best for her.