11+ - please help us start preparing!

[Nena7]

I need some help in helping my son preparing for 11+ (I know some of you may say it's late in the day, but here we are...) He is a bright boy and has seen a tutor for the past six months. I would now like to help him a bit at home as well, mainly in exam technique and what he can expect on the day.

Can anyone suggest web pages, online forums, booklets etc where we could find good resources? Also, what did you start with, how did you do it? Thanks for your help!

This is boring "the only option open to them would be a school without the top 23% where there is not a top group working at the same level" - yes and go ahead be astounded if you like.

I'm tired of your questioning. Over tutoring is an epidemic that does no good. If everyone eased off a bit everyone would be better off.

I'm questioning it because it doesn't ring true.

MN164 you are very rude. And, to use your word, 'boring'.

I tutored my DS for 11+ and I'm fucking glad I did. There is no way he'd have been able to navigate those papers without some preparation. Yes, in an ideal world everyone would ease off a bit but that's not the world we're in. Why take the risk?

In the Sunday Times yesterday the HT of KCS wrote on how to pass the 11+ particularly Tiffin and name checked Mumsnet.

Pls can you link PopIns?

Whoever mentioned interviews state schools aren't allowed to interview, you are thinking of independents.

I think the OP has had a rough ride here.. There are many areas of the country with DIRE schools as the only option. The only secondary school catchment we're in is so bad that it never fills a year and has just pulled its 6th form in favour of apprenticeships. Not what i want for my academic children.

Perhaps as a result, the selective schools near us are very tricky to get into so everyone who gets into one of these tutors for a year. To do otherwise would waste their and your time.

MN164
Another full county grammar resident here. Not Kent.

I agree with everything whatchoo said.

Who cares about Tutoring (whether that be paid or at home with parents) if you have a comprehensive surrounding. I do not have that choice.
I have grammar or a secondary modern which does not offer single science, mfl, extended maths because the cohort attending cannot achieve these exams sufficiently to get a pass mark. So if my child has a bad day, fails, it's goodbye opportunity regarding subject choice.

That is the choice. Grammar or secondary modern. Or 20k I simply don't have. Or faith.

I'll go with the tutor thanks. I went to grammar. Nobody got tutored 30 years ago. It frustrates me that it is now the norm.

It's not reasonable to blame any one person for tutoring in this day and age. Most everyone agrees that tutoring is bad, just like we can all agree that nuclear weapons are bad - but you need them if everyone else has them.

Thank you to everyone who has provided constructive tips, thoughts and information. - I got a bit more than I bargained for but that's the name of the game with an open forum I suppose.

Just for the record, I believe tutoring and 11+ prep is like most parenting issues - you do what you believe is the right thing for your child and your family. Whether you do it - how much you do it - or choose not to. And it's your own family's personal choice and not anyone else's business.

Thanks again, we will get cracking!

Nena7
Apologies from me. I was too harsh and not constructive. My bad. Sorry. Best wishes and I hope you get the best for yours.