3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ Support thread 2019

[mumteacher]

In previous years I have started these threads to help and support all those involved in the independent school admissions process.

I wasn't going to start one this year as I know I would not be able to check back on it as regularly as I would like, which then defeats the purpose of the thread.

However, after numerous positive PM's about the threads I think it would be a shame not to start one where at least the hand holding can continue. 🤝

There are many many people who have been through the process and 'live to tell the tale' . There are also other tutors I know who read this thread and it would be great if you all could help and support and share your ideas👏🏼

(Roll on 2019!) 😉

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/3073499-3-4-5-7-support-thread-2018

Amy1008. IMO that could backfire depending on the school. Wait until the results are released to start the conversation.

Thank you Jifey. I'll just wait then.

I wrote thank you letters when my daughter did 4+. Not really thank you but rather let me tell you why we would love it if our daughter could come to this school type of letter. Hand written and 2 pages long. But we are not in North London, this is the South Kensington schools I am talking about. I doubt they made a difference to the final decision but I just did what every other parent around here does.

Wow. 2 pages?????

Desperation will be smelt a mile off. I would most certainly not write to the school. You've paid for the registration process. A letter will appear cringey and just look like you are trying to curry favour, a sure fire way to p them off! Don't jeopardise chances, once matters are decided that will be when to say thank you. Can't say in the end though that I'd thank a school that didn't want my cherub!

I don't think it screamed desperation. My daughter got both of the schools where she sat the assessment. But now that she is at one of these schools, I do tend to think that my letter didn't make much of a difference and she would have received an offer anyway.

I get asked about writing thank you notes from parent every now and again, and over the years my answer hasn’t not changed.
When the results come out not in your favour will you regret not writing a thank you note? If so then write one.
I doubt very much it has any impact at all on the outcome and in most cases I’m not sure the letter/ note even reaches the decision maker.
Spending the 20 minutes with your child instead of writing the thank you note is probably better use of your time.

I’ve always wondered about the thank you as well as have heard you should continuously show your interest? But also didn’t know whether that seemed excessive so haven’t done it.

What do the schools look for when they contact your child’s nursery / school? My daughter only started at her current school in September so not sure how much the school could write about her given the shirt time frame she’s been there.

Any tips on NLCS 7+ assessments? First round of assessments is tomorrow.

Hi @silver1504 how did you DD find it ? No tips I’m afraid but NLCS I tbknk is one of the harder ones. Did anyone sit MT 7+?

Ok ok I’m back!! I won’t bore you all with my personal circumstances which have prevented me from check back on this thread as frequently as I have in the past. But here I am!
Bring on the questions! 😘😘

Also, for all those who have PM me - there are too many messages for me to work through in good time, if you’re able to post on here that’ll be great.

@mumteacher any tips on SPJ ? It’s a bit late in the day to be asking as we have it tomorrow but anything appreciated!!!

@mumteacher Any tips on 4+ assessments for NHEHS?

@Omasa: We did MT 7+ and doing SPJ today. There were lots of kids at SPJ today. Wondering if they have both 7+ and 8+ today or are all the applicants for 7+. How did MT go for you?

SPJ 8+ is in January so all the boys today were for 7+.

Can anyone advise on whether children are expected to do joined-up writing in the 7plus exams? Thinking specifically of WUS?

I was always told content (vocabulary and creativity) way more crucial than neat handwriting. Our son from a state primary had very poor hand writing which was quickly addressed in term 1 of Y3 at independent school. Think expectations of cursive writing would be higher from a private school where they may well have been shown joined up handwriting from age 4.

@sevenplusmum @raspberrycakes how did your DS find St. Paul’s - mine came out very deflated and found it impossible so we are expecting the worst on Monday

My DS said comprehension was very hard (something about working out some words with clues about being an animal, a body part and something else - sounds more like verbal reasoning). He said maths was easy (yeah right!). He said composition something about choosing an animal, a person and something else to build a story. Honestly, au can't bare the stress and I just wanted him to stop talking about the exam. He later told my husband that he skipped about 5 questions per paper because they were too hard (which is a lot, in my opinion)!

On a different note, I find it crazy that there are "international applicants." I guess people with enough money would move from HK or Singapore to London for St Paul's!! I thought it was crazy when during the tour, one of the teachers said that there are boys commuting from Hertfordshire ... but this is another level!!

@raspberrycake @omasa

Same feelings here. There was no direction in the story like previous years. DS left quite a bit of comprehension as well as 4 questions in the maths paper.

My DS found everything else ok but struggled with composition. He left most of his composition so not hopeful at all :(

Sorry I teach for the best part of Saturday so haven’t been able to reply before the 7+ today.

As long as legible hand writing won’t be penalised. Content is credited over presentation.

4+ have an in depth conversation with your child about animals - where they live in the wild and captivity (zoo/farm), what they eat, what they give us (milk/wool), what the young is called.