3+ 4+ 5+ 7+ Support thread 2020 (Mumteacher)

[mumteacher]

I know it’s a little later than usual but here it is! #letsdothis

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👏🏼

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/3380051-3-4-5-7-Support-thread-2019

(Roll on 2020!) 😉

Hi Mumteacher! We went through the 4+ assessments at Channing and NLCS last year so happy to answer any questions anyone has. My daughter is now at Channing so happy to talk about that too!

Hi all

Thanks so much for starting this thread. It’s really helpful.

Any tips/advice for the 4+ would be gratefully received.

Isitwinetimeyet16, are you able to share information re the types of thing you lr daughter was asked to do? Particularly for NLCS?

Many thanks in advance

Hi! Of course, though my daughter is a June baby so the information I got from her was limited. As far as I know they are given a selection of tables with different things on (Lego, drawing supplies etc) and allowed to choose what they want to play with then teachers observe how they interact with each other / the adults. My DD mentioned throwing bean bags into the mouth of a frog so presumably there is a physical element to the testing too! She got called back for a second interview at NLCS (though not offered a place eventually) and the second interview seemed more about chatting to the girls and asking questions about their home lives etc. Channing definitely always ice biscuits which all the girls loved! My DD really enjoyed the process all the way through, I do think 4+ are less stressful than 5+, 7+ - they are still so little they think it's a game. Best of luck to your daughter, NLCS are quite specific as to what they want so I think if it's a no it's probably for the best!

Thanks for that! Really helpful. Mine is an August baby so prob at a slight disadvantage with a school like NLCS.

Silly question but what did your daughter wear to the assessments and whilst you were waiting, were there teachers mingling with parents?

Not silly, I still remember - she wore a smart dress and tights as it was cold and i wanted her to feel a bit of a sense of occasion! There were teachers at both places - NLCS we were in a big hall kind of place whereas Channing was a bit more intimate - Channing have current parents who come to answer questions as well which I liked.

@isitwinetimeyet16 - could you please share how much did NLCS focus on Phonics? Also, did you go for Habs?

Thanks

Hello - we didn't go for Habs as it was that bit too far out for us - even NCLS would have been quite a trek. NLCS phonics-wise I don't believe they did a lot - from what my daughter told me it was mainly play-based though they were asked to write their names I think.

Thank you! Appreciate the advice 😊

@isitwinetimeyet16 great, thanks!!

May I suggest that you dress your child in an outfit that they can manage independently if they needed to go the toilet.
(Please take them to the toilet before the assessments so they do not need to go but you never know)

There will be phonics in round one 4+ at the top competitive schools. Depending on your child’s DOB will depend on the level required.
Last year a child was asked to decode the words like bed.

@mumteacher - thanks. was this at schools like Habs, NLCS ?

Hi @mumteacher. Thanks so much for doing this. Someone else started a similar thread a few weeks ago too which may have some useful tips for people - it’s here www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/3726805-3-4-5-7-Support-thread-2020

Joining the thread as I have a DS who will be sitting the 7+ (from a school which doesn't prep) this year.

The main thing I'm currently wondering is how to prepare him for his interview. For the tests we can use sample papers but what to expect at interview... . I'd like DS to be relaxed / not stressed about the whole thing... but also show his 'best' side and talk about the things he's really interested in.

Hi @Minormiracle. We are the same - our DS goes to a state school and he gets no preparation at school (entirely understandably) plus what he’s covering at school seems to be quite far behind what his peers at pre-prep schools are doing. That’s the reason we are looking into moving, really, as he’s not being challenged at school and he’s getting very bored. We are not doing any specific prep for the interview - maybe naive, but not sure what we can do other than try to help him be relaxed and be himself on the day. We have only applied to a couple of schools. What about you?

Sounds very similar @Manchester7 . We are also applying to two schools. Are you going to do mainly sample papers to prepare? For the moment I've just focused on reading / writing / doing some extra maths at home which has been easy as DS is keen on all of this stuff, but at some point I guess we have to move to actual preparation.

I think our main interview prep will have to be to teach DS to stop talking occasionally..

Good luck to you, @Minormiracle! Are the schools both in London or elsewhere? We’ve done one exam (and got through, somehow) and the exam for the other (WUS) is next week.

Trust me when they are young you can tell if they have been prepared for interview!
This year I asked one a question and he rolled off a great answer for a 7 year old, we then asked a straightforward follow-up to which he couldn’t answer as he didn’t really understand the stock answer he had told us!
We take into account the school a child has been at when we look at any academic results.
The best was one group interview when a child from a school looked across at his peer from the same school and told us that he kept getting sent to the head for being naughty!
We just want children that can speak and sit on a chair normally and maintain an appropriate level of interest in the person talking to them.

This is really helpful, @trinity0097 - thank you for taking the time to send it. It’s good to hear that schools are on the look-out for children who have learned stock answers Off by heart. My main concern is that we have a very bright and quirky son who is obviously very bright when he feels like engaging properly, and in his own school environment he always does that (and the school has consistently said that they don’t know what more they can do to stretch him, having arranged extra maths and reading classes) but he may turn up in on the day and be in a very immature mood or too nervous to engage properly. He has done one 7+ exam so far and he was initially very nervous and shy when he saw lots of children who knew each other in the queue (he knew no one) but he seems to have relaxed into it once the exam started, and he’s got through. Hopefully round 2 won’t phase him too much. We are newbies to this so I am only just realising how far behind many others we are.

And @Minormiracle yes, we are concentrating on the sample papers and doing some Bond papers (not many). Hope the preparation goes well for you, too. Fingers crossed for your DS.

That is very interesting @trinity0097, thank you. There are a couple of things that DS is really interested in that I think it would be great for him to discuss in the interviews (he's read a lot about space, and is very keen on his drama class/activities) but I don't know whether to suggest that he brings it up or just let the conversation run its course. Probably the latter as otherwise it might be too forced..

@Manchester7 sorry I am obviously a bit too early to the party/thread as actually we're a year behind you, just starting to get my head around DS doing these assessments in November. Best of luck to your DS, it sounds like he's doing really well and keeping my fingers crossed for a great result! It'll be interesting to hear how he finds it.

For interview practice try asking your child to talk to people they may not necessarily interact with.
Eg- maybe let them pay for their purchases so having to chat with the sales assistant, or similar. The other day a parent told me they sent their child(top end of junior school age) to collect their pizza take away with only enough money for the pizza but requesting for the child to negotiate for an extra garlic and herb dip!! Parent said she sat in the car with a clear view of the restaurant window and could see her son having a chat.
Such situations give children confidence to think on their feet when asked questions in interview situations.
Also, do chat about your child’s favourite book, tv program, sport etc as this will come up - easy ice break type questions to kick off interviews. However let your child led the answer and as difficult as it maybe try not to add in extra long ‘wow’ words into their answer that they are likely not to remember!

@minormiracle Just let it run it’s course would be my advice!
Parents who over prepare forget that when we have the children for a few hours forget that we see the real them anyway! How a child takes a drink and snack is very telling, for example! How they play with others. How they interact with their parents at the pick-up etc... we are observing it all!

Aha, @Minormiracle, you are much more together than me! I will keep you posted on our experience - sounds as if our sons have a bit in common. And @mumteacher @trinity0097 thank you so much for the advice. It is very good of you both and very helpful. Presumably you are used to seeing some children who ‘play up’ when nervous - that’s one of the things I am a bit worried about?

Thanks very much @trinity0097 ! It's really good to understand the approach. Sounds like we're better off not doing too much prep.