Y4 - how/when will I know if DS is (Kent) grammar material?

[PhoebeMcPeePee]

Is there any way of knowing whether a child is likely to be grammar school material at this stage if the school won't advise? Lots of 11+ tutors are getting booked up for next year (start of Y5) and I feel we really need to make a decision whether to go for it or not but don't want to put DS through the pressure/workload if he's just not cut out for it.
Most of his friends will be taking the 11+ (v. bright year group) so he's already 'decided' he wants to go but obviously we need to guide him down the correct path. We're in Kent with 3 boys' grammars, he wouldn't be going for the 2 super-selectives & state options are very limited for us atheists (not hard to work out area ).

It's not hard work or pressure.An hour a week and non stretching homework to do is all it involves.Maybe a few mocks too.All useful.

I'm still not sure re dd as she doesn't want to go but my dd year 5 is doing the tutoring for now.Will stop it later down the line when we've explored all avenues.

I'd book a tutor and cancel later if needs be.

Firstly, I would book a place with a decent tutor in case you do go for it.
You have nothing to lose - if they are booked up they will invariably have a waiting list by the time you are due to start so if you decide not to go ahead they won't mind. They are used to it and would rather that happen than have a child who wasn't suited to grammar exams to tutor.

Secondly, for Kent non-super selectives, as an indicator, you are probably looking at children who got level 3 at the end of year 2. This is only an indicator as there must be a correlation to levels but it's not a perfect one as there is more to it than that.

See if the tutors test at all - DD's ran simple tests at her kitchen table last year, and for this year's 'intake' did a more formal exam for multiple children. You'd no doubt have to pay, but it'd be spending to save if your child doesn't make the cut.

My son just passed this test with no recent prior work apart from earlier in the year (just some practice papers then). IMO there is a huge amount of ridiculous pressure and hubris around this test - the county council have responded by making it "uncoachable" which I think my sons result shows!

My advice is some subtle extra work if he wants to (to familiarise him with the question format) and then avoid all other kent parents for the next 2 years!!!!

Have you asked his teachers/the head what they think? They (ought to) have a good idea about how children progress and their general enthusiasm for learning. It sounds as if he is keen to at least give it a try (which must be half the battle).

If you get no clues from the school, spend a few £ on some Bond 11+ books (they run from ages 5-11) or subscribe online. See how he gets on.

DD has done 7+ (so much easier), but the thing I made her practise was the non-verbal reasoning.

I am not too sure how they can ever make a test tutor-proof (but it is certainly easier to tackle these things if you have encountered similar formats IMHO).

then avoid all other kent parents for the next 2 years!!!!

That is the best advice I've ever seen re the Kent test

Yes the county council are trying to make it uncoachable but it just makes parents more anxious to use tutors & 11+ clubs

This year the maths was very hard