Eleven Plus

[MagicalMrsMistoffelees]

Hope someone can help please. Does every child who is put forward for the 11+ have coaching? Is that just the culture these days? Our eldest is in year four and bright enough for a grammar but do we need to organise coaching for him to stand a chance of passing the entrance exams?

For background, I took the 11+ in the late 1980s, passed and went to a grammar school. I didn't have any coaching; nobody did for my school (Tiffin Girls) back then (or did they?!).

My husband went to Manchester Grammar. He said only a few had coaching and they really struggled as they had been taught to pass the entrance exam but were not well equipped to cope with a highly academic environment.

So I'm a bit uncomfortable with the idea that children need coaching to pass the 11+. Doesn't that make it an 'unlevel' playing field for children who are bright but haven't been coached to pass an exam and therefore don't get in? And unfair on children who are taught how to pass the entrance exam but struggle later? Isn't it better if everyone just sits the paper 'dry' and those who do well pass? Or am I being very naive?

This is in no way a criticism of parents who have their children coached. I understand that as soon as some children have coaching then it becomes necessary for others to as well. And in all likeliness we will be organising coaching for our son soon!

Around here, all the children I know of had some sort of coaching for the 11+, whether that be a professional tutor, or their parents working through the Bond and Letts books with them.

DH and I didn't have the patience couldn't be arsed to tutor our DDs, so we paid a very experienced professional to do it for us. He was a retired grammar school teacher with over 40+ years experience.

From Day One he made it very clear to us that he was not selling extra IQ but was actually just teaching them about timing, exam technique and a few tricks of the trade. He also said that he would inform us within 4 weeks if he believed our DDs were not grammar school material because he had no interest in tutoring any child who he didn't believe wouldn't be academically comfortable at a grammar school.

It was well worth the money to us, as both DDs walked into the exam feeling confident and relaxed, as they knew exactly what to expect. They both passed with high scores and are thriving at their grammar. DH and I rarely get involved in their homework, and they have never needed the services of another tutor since. Neither have any of their friends, that I know of? Their grammar has superb exam results, the huge majority of which are gained without any help from tutors - the school is very big, and if every one of the 1300+ girls was getting tutoring in most subjects...well, there just simply aren't enough tutors, or hours in the day to meet that need, obviously.

No. All the girls just had some prep for an important exam at 11, and then went on to do very well at grammar school and cope comfortably with the speed of the lessons etc, without further need for tutoring, in the vast majority of cases.

I agree that it's pretty pathetic to try and 'wind up' posters on the 11plus forum.
A lot of people spend hours giving their time freely on there to help other people.

I imagine they are people who are feeling a bit bitter that their own kids didn't get in. Can't think why else they'd bother.

We went to an open evening this week for GS. 1500 applicants for every 150 places! It's not even one of the well known London ones. Arghhhhhhhh!

Hi all. I'm new to this site and thread so not sure if I'm posting in the right area. We're considering tutoring for our Year 4 child with a view to sitting exams for grammar schools next year and wondered if anyone has recommendations for tutors or could point in the direction of finding one? We're in Archway. Thanks.