3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ support thread 2015

[mumteacher]

I started the below thread last year and have had so many people find it useful I thought it might be worth doing it again.

I have had a number of messages asking if I have any spaces in my classes. I'm really sorry but I have been at full capacity for some time now.

However, I do appreciate that this is a very stressful time of year for parents who have children sitting these private school assessments in January. So, I'm hoping that by setting up this support group thread I can help by answering some questions you have about these assessments.

Hopefully this thread will also contain some useful insight from the experiences of parents who have already been through the process.

Bringon2015 sorry I've missed your post.

Role play shops hospitals.
Sahs is an academic school but probably won't test reading in the same manner as some of the other schools. Child's phonics knowledge should be secure though.

Hi all...My DD will be sitting for year 2 assessment in January for an independent school. Please guide how to prepare NS what to expect from this assessment..she is eldest one So I have no clue regarding these entry assessments.??

Doc25 do you mean 7+? Or a non standard entry into yr2?

Thanks so much Mumteacher. I will def follow your advice.

Mumteacher, do you know anything about the 6+ assessment? What would you recommend?

hello mumteacher...posting here now...pls.advice regarding 6+ Year 2 assessment..pls. help as this is my first experience for DD who is being assessed.she is bright but shy...thx from a very anxious mum.

There isn't a standard 6+ entry.

The standard entry points are 3+ 4+ 5+ and 7+ Then it's senior school.

Not all schools will open their doors at all these levels. Eg Nlcs do not have an entry at 5+.

Some schools may have a vacancy in year 1 and so would set up a non standard entry for 6+.

To be considered for any ad hoc entries like these you would need to be on the list a school would normally keep.

Yes mums teacher it's not the natural point of entry..it's because we are relocating and the school has asked us to register and come of assessment for year 2 in sept 2015...so If it's a informal assessment what should we expect ? Coz currently she is in year 1 ..so I would assume they will assess her on her current skills?

Non standard entries vary too much from school to school to generalise. Some will just have an hours assessment, some except the child to stay for a morning.

Let me know which school x

Dear Mumteacher,
Thanks for all of the helpful advice on this thread.
Do you have any tips for the JAPS or Alleyns 7+ assessment? My daughter is attending a state school and we have prepared her ourselves. She is working through the age 8-9 Bond books. Are there any other things we can do to prepare? Is she at a good level academically? She is getting a bit bored of the Bond books!
Thanks

Also, will they take into consideration that she attends a state school?
Thanks

Summersunandflowers I'm working away from home for the best part of the day but will check what I have for those schools specifically on my return.
The usual will apply though, times 2,3,4,5 and 10. Addition subtraction in the hundreds, understanding half and doubling.

The schools will take into consideration that your is coming from a state school.

Have you been doing English and maths bond books?

If she's not happy with bond books move on, there are plenty of different workbooks available.

Try some problem solving questions too.

Have a look up thread at some of the books I've mention to aid 7+ prep.

How's her creative writing?

Thanks v much Mumteacher.
We have been doing all of the age 8-9 Bond books, including VR and NVR. Not sure what else to do for the next few weeks so that my daughter is as well prepared as possible. How much would you recommend doing a day?
Her creative writing is usually good. She can write a 1 A4 side story in 25 mins. Will have start, middle and end. She uses paragraphs, adverbs, adjectives, similes, speech marks, ? and !. Spelling good and hand writing good. Not sure what level pre school students will be at though.
Any extra information you have would be much appreciated.

Summersunandflowers - you have just asked exactly the same question I came on to Mumsnet to find the answer to!

What do people recommend is the right amount to do over the holidays when the 7+ exams are (in our case) in the first two weeks of January. My son is very happy to sit down and do the papers I ask him to (particularly if it is maths or reasoning!) but I only ask him to do half an hour because I don't want to risk curbing his current enthusiasm. Thanks Mumteacher.

Shouty half an hr doesn't seem like very much if you consider that in the actually assessments (depending on which sch) he'll spend a morning writing. He'll be expected to do some creative writing - 30ish minutes, comp 25 mins, maths -40 mins, mental maths 15 mins.

That is a fair amount of writing.
Consider adding on 10 mins each week taking him to the hour.

Breaks are offered in between each component but if story writing is followed by a quick mental maths session your son won't find it too much.

Wow (and thanks)! Poor 6 year old! I have gone off to waterstones this morning - I thoight 8-9 was fantasy but bought them this morning when he zoomed through the 7-8 maths paper this morning.

Pity that he will also be assessed on story-writing - he isn't very mature and his stories always have an element of nonsense to them. I don't want to curb his imagination (but wish he could realise that the assessors may not understand his ideas). Any suggestions?

Can't believe this year is almost over!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas.

Happy holidays x

Hi Mumteacher , any tips for 7+ with St Helens school in Northwood ?

Mumteacher we are having huge issues with getting my daughter to the position where she can write a short, dynamic story for her 7+. She seems to have a real block with it. Have you got any emergency suggestions with less than a week to go? Thanks.

Molly St. Helens follows the usually path of story writing, comprehension, maths-problem solving, and mental maths. The comprehdnsion is fairly straight forward not much inference.

They do look favourably upon sibling entries (dont know if it's you who PM to say dd is a sibling) the school does like to have both girls - less chances of girls leaving I guess.

Molly have PM you

Thank you for your responses Mumteacher

mumteacher did you see my question? Thanks

Are these assessments for kids to get into through schools (prep through to senior schools)?

For Habs Girls and NLCS 7+, someone mentioned to me the other day that the girls who are called to the second stage usually get 70% or more marks in the written tests?
Is it right?