11 plus shall we stop?

[luzasade]

The test for Kent is in a couple of weeks.

My son just will not complete any mock tests at home so has not got an idea as of how long the test is or the timings?

Shall we give up?

It has been good doing the work for secondary as so much was not covered at school. His school is not high performing so he had so much to catch up on even basic subtraction and division and multiplication.
He has worked solidly since last September but now it just seems he does not want to do the actual test.

He gets very nervous. He also no longer wants to do any of the work.

We have not covered everything with nvr, not all the vr ?

I am torn between him just doing it anyway for experience because he did work hard or just leaving it?

He is one the eldest boys in his class but does not seem mature enough to cope.

In addition we are not living in Kent.
It does seem many others do way more work too.

Oh my goodness so the Bond papers are assessment papers.

I feel like an idiot. I had not thought of them as tests. I was thinking a proper mock with all the papers together was what he needed to do. That is what he was refusing.

So maybe in fact he has done too much of the mini tests! And I should have moved him to FULL mocks earlier.

He has done 10 to 11 bond both books 1 and 2 for maths. And the 10 minute test books for maths. He hasn't had any issue with the maths despite having to learn key stage 2 by himself and with me because the school wasn't great.

He has done all the 8, and 9 books for nvr and vr and maths and English.

He has run out of the time to finish the 10 to 11 books in the other topics (apart from maths).

I think we both got bored with the bond tests as they never seemed to end.

But I think we will just leave it.

We may just see if we can revamp topics for the private school.

Thank you all.. I think I am a bit inexperienced. The friends I knew were all like you have to do all these bond books etc etc etc.

Thank you honestly to all the posters.

I will eventually let you know where he ends up and how it goes.

It sounds like you've made up your mind, but if you're still even vaguely considering it, I would say that the pass marks might surprise you. On most papers they're generally 50-60% - sometimes even below 50% on a hard paper. And yes, tutoring does definitely help, but raw talent and a bit of practice can get you a very long way. As for doing a 'full' mock - yes, it's helpful, but not a deal breaker. My son only did one, and I don't think it made a huge amount of difference. I would say if your son's happy to do the test, and he's not going to be too gutted if he doesn't pass, then go for it.

luzazade, I do not think it is unfair; what is unfair is the crap primary schools who do not teach children properly. They used to - what has happened in the last few years?

Anyway I am glad you are not putting yours through it and am sure he will do well.

I only have experience as an ex grammar school student (not Kent) but I'd say if he's not engaged with the process, don't bother. If he has anxiety around tests and exams and high school pressure, grammar isn't the place for him. I LOVED my school, but the pressure is intense right from the off. My first geography lesson our teacher came in and said "the average score for your age is X, I expect you to achieve Y (at least two scores higher)as a minimum in every test, or I'll want to know why". It was full on, but I loved the challenge. Generally you could tell which kids had been tutored early on as if they didn't have the natural aptitude they started to struggle very quickly.

I would go the other way and say that if you are considering a private school exam in Jan then he won't be best served by never having done a big exam beforehand. I would put him in for the 11+ anyway tbh.

When did schools have Nvr and vr in the curriculum? In the 60s when lots of us took the 11 plus. It’s never been in the national curriculum and state schools cannot possibly prep for this during the day. It would be a lot fairer for every school to have free 11 plus clubs after school. I live in an 11 plus county and the playing field does need levelling.

@Guymere

When did schools have Nvr and vr in the curriculum? In the 60s when lots of us took the 11 plus. It’s never been in the national curriculum and state schools cannot possibly prep for this during the day. It would be a lot fairer for every school to have free 11 plus clubs after school. I live in an 11 plus county and the playing field does need levelling.

VR and Non VR are drilled into them at yr 5 level prep school, as far as I'm aware state schools aren't allowed to prepare pupils for 11+. It's all very unfair.

I remember doing it after a fashion when I was a child and my son did. It all depends on the individual school. My neighbours' and ex neighbours' children, whom I know very well, did it at state primary schools, passed 11+ and went to grammars. However it is not just about preparing for 11+, it is useful and aids critical thinking.

I think you're making the right decision OP. I'm an ex teacher and do a bit of tutoring for the Kent for people I know, although I used to do it as my main business so I know the process very well. If your son doesn't want to do tests at home then the real test will be very stressful for him and the time pressure is intense. The NVR in particular you really do need to have done some work on beforehand, not necessarily with a tutor but it's quite intimidating if you haven't had much experience of it.

If you do decide to do it, I suggest going on the GL website and looking at the free sample test materials. GL is the test provider for Kent so it's very good preparation.

State schools aren't allowed to prepare children for eleven plus. It's very unfair

I don’t know where you live but in certain areas he’s going to need to do more than scrape by if you are not Kent based and in catchment. For example, Skinners in Tunbridge Wells that used to East Sussex areas in its catchment have changed their catchment area to prioritise Kent boys. There are a small number of places for very high scoring boys but the sons of 2 E Sussex friends who scored well above average didn’t get a place 2 years ago (they did get places at Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar though). If he is not motivated and likely at best to scrape through, there is the potential he won’t get a place.

I just wanted to update you all as you were all so supportive.

We stopped, did zero preparation in October, told him don't worry about it.

I didn't mention it further. 2 days before planned test my son came to me and said he would like to sit it. There was a nice friend at his school sitting it and she suggested he still have a go.

He turned up for the test (and he did get really stressed and anxious before the test on the drive to the test which was harrowing).

I don't think it will translate to a place as although a comfortable pass we are too far away and given his anxiety... I also don't think the competitive nature of a grammar is right for him.

His primary school have not always been great but he has a newly qualified teacher who seems to have taken an interest in him and is super positive and enthusiastic and she has given him (and his friend) challenging work.

Oh and the "friends" who are full on and go on and on about grammar all the time I have just kept away from.

I found it strange getting messages from people asking what his results were and not asking how my child was, but boasting about their son or daughter off putting. Such a strange process.

I am glad it is over.

Commiserations to anyone who didn't get the result they wanted.

Congratulations to your son for facing his fears and taking the test. He did amazingly well. That's the true test, getting good results without masses of tuition. When I worked in a Grammar School, it was children like yours that shone, not those taught just to pass. You have options now. If you send him to a local school and he's not challenged enough, you can still switch him into a Grammar. It happens a lot. My LOs take it in two years and they are excited as far they are both desperate to go to the local grammar.

Thank you Ismellphantoms best of luck for when you have to go through the process.

He did face his fears. He is such a good and caring kid.

I am most impressed that he decided to do something that he wasn't at all comfortable with. Covid lockdowns have been tough for him but it is tough for everyone.

That's great he passed! Well done to both of you. Atleast he has the satisfaction he tried. It sounds like he worked very hard. If he gets in it's a bonus but atleast he gave it a go.

Yes you can always try for an in year transfer from year 7 onwards. A friend of mine's son has just done this as he did not score well enough in his initial go at the 11+.