That's it we're done with the 11+ now

[sheensheila]

Last interview today at Latymer! I am sitting here drinking champagne celebrating the fact I never ever ever EVER have to go through the tortuous process known as the 11+ exams in SW London ever again. Please join in and share your horror stories or just have a good old moan about the process.

Dd is in year 4 so I have all this to come and would welcome advice from parents points of view. I teach upper key stage 2 so see it all from that side of things but expect it'll be a lot more emotional when it's my own child.

Am worried at the moment that I'm becoming "that parent" at her school as I've had to go in twice already this year and be quite pushy.

I've done it 3 times now, and I think getting your DC's Maths up to scratch is the answer. I may be a bitter and twisted Arts grad but as far as I can see the indies want children who are good at maths, and kind of feel that as long as they can string a sentence together, they English will come. Ok I may be slightly exaggerating. This time round, the maths my child's prep school was teaching was harder than when his brother sat 11+ 3 years ago.

The maths is what I've had to be really pushy about actually. I have been made to feel like pushy parent of the year and dd has had nasty comments made at school. Reading and writing seems to come quite naturally to dd luckily. I'm not going to stop encouraging her though.

Every year children in my class get put in for 11+ and don't pass, the fall out is horrid all year for them. We're in a grammar area so choices can be limited (in some parents opinions) if you don't pass. I also run 11+ club and this is the only practice some get. It's just not really a level playing field is it.

I agree about the maths actually. I've done it twice, and it's been hugely easier with the DC who is good at maths.

Mind you, still think it is significantly easier with a girl than a boy.

We finished today with Latymer interview, and, like you, we are in the NEVER AGAIN camp!

Definitely more choice for a girl. This year has felt like a real slog with hundreds of children at each school. KGS felt swamped, I literally have no idea of how many children were there. I also feel the anxiety level is much higher than when first DC sat several years ago.

I definitely agree with you about maths. Those who haven't got to the 11+ stage yet and if your child isn't a natural genius at it, do whatever you can to help them become really good at maths. My first DC cruised into every school he sat for because, I presume, his is so good. His English was shocking (in my Eng Lit grad cat's bum opinion) although his creative writing exceptional (commented on by every school). The one who has just flunked 11+ is average at maths, but much better at English and VR.

It has also become far more competitive. 700 sat KGS for example. 1300 Latymer. Average child sitting 6 schools (I know of more). I am pleased that I am not going to have to go through it again with my 3rd DC.

Sheenshelia I went thru it last year and it was the worst thing I've ever experienced I was slowly losing the plot , stalking the postman and boring my friends to tears. I read my my posts from last year and laugh now at the time I was a nervous wreak. When we got the letter to confirm the place my son burst into tears out of sheer relief .... lucky his and only child ....